Spiritual First Aid: Finding Hope and Practical Support in Crisis with Dr. Jamie Aten

Episode 34- Spiritual First Aid: Finding Hope and Practical Support in Crisis with Dr. Jamie Aten

Welcome back to The Holistic Counselor Podcast! Join your host, Diana from Through the Valley Therapy, as she delves into a powerful, faith-based approach to crisis care: Spiritual First Aid. Diana explores this innovative program with co-founder Dr. Jamie Aten, Ph.D., a trauma psychologist and leading expert in disaster response and faith-centered support.

Dr. Aten is not only the co-director of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College but also a survivor of Hurricane Katrina and late-stage cancer—experiences that have profoundly shaped his approach to mental health and resilience. Together, Diana and Dr. Aten discuss how Spiritual First Aid is equipping churches, communities, and individuals to support each other through personal and large-scale crises.

In This Episode:

• The Story Behind Spiritual First Aid – Dr. Aten shares how his personal and professional journey inspired the creation of this program, which merges biblical principles with mental health research.
• The BLESS CPR Framework – Discover the unique BLESS CPR model that Spiritual First Aid uses to guide individuals in providing practical, trauma-informed support. BLESS stands for Biological, Livelihood, Emotional, Social, and Spiritual needs, while CPR emphasizes Care, Provide coping practices, and Refer.
• Navigating Religious Trauma – Diana and Dr. Aten tackle the sensitive topic of religious trauma and how to approach faith-centered care with compassion and humility, ensuring that support is provided without causing harm.
• Making a Global Impact – Learn how Spiritual First Aid is being adopted not only across the U.S. but also internationally, with versions being developed for Ukraine, Spanish-speaking communities, and more.
• Building Resilience in the Church – Dr. Aten offers advice on how church leaders and laypeople can use Spiritual First Aid to support mental wellness in their communities while respecting personal beliefs and boundaries.

Episode Resources:

• Spiritual First Aid: Explore certification options, group courses, and resources at spiritual first aid.org.
• Fight the Mental Health Crisis: Access a free course preview and weekly mental health resources at fightthementalhealthcrisis.org.
• Church Mental Health Toolkit: Gain access to over 30 free resources for church mental health support at church mental health toolkit.org.

Thank you for listening to The Holistic Counselor Podcast! Be sure to subscribe for more inspiring episodes that bridge faith, resilience, and mental wellness.