Religious & Spiritual Trauma Workshop: A Morning for Pastors and Ministry Leaders
Churches can be profound places of belonging, hope and healing. Yet people can also experience significant harm within religious and spiritual contexts.
How can pastors and ministry leaders recognise when this has occurred – and respond in ways that are safe, wise and restorative?
Join us for a practical and reflective morning exploring religious and spiritual trauma and abuse, co-led by Anu Matara, Clinical Counsellor and Author, and Steve Poisat, Registered Counsellor, Pastor and Executive Minister of Churches of Christ WA.
Bringing together counselling, pastoral and theological perspectives, the morning will equip pastors and ministry leaders to better understand spiritual trauma, respond wisely to those who have experienced harm, and help create healthier church communities that support healing and restoration.
The morning will explore:
- Understanding Spiritual Trauma – What it is, common causes, signs and symptoms.
- Pastoral Responses – Listening well, trauma-informed care, disclosures, and referral pathways.
- Power, Authority and Abuse – Spiritual abuse, healthy leadership, governance and systems.
- Healing and Recovery – Creating restorative church cultures and supporting people over the long term.
- Faith After Trauma – Gospel-centred responses, theological questions, and rebuilding trust and hope.
Designed specifically for pastors and ministry leaders, this morning will offer practical tools alongside thoughtful theological and pastoral reflection, helping churches become safer, healthier and more restorative communities.
For: Pastors and ministry leaders
Date: Friday 16 October 2026
Time: 9am-12pm
Location: Perth Bible College
Cost: Free