May 24, 2004
Emotional and Spiritual Care, an
introduction on basic concepts
A working document from the Emotional and
Spiritual Care Committee of the National
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
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Emotional and Spiritual Care
Table of Contents
SUMMARY
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………
page 4
A note on language………………………………………………………………………………………
page 5
Stress and Emotional Health
What is stress? …………………………………………………………………………………………
page 6
Loss ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
page 6
What is emotional care? …………………………………………………………………………
page 6
Spirituality
What is spirituality? …………………………………………………………………………………
page 7
What is spiritual care? ……………………………………………………………………………
page 7
The Emotional and Spiritual Relationship
Telling Their Story ………………………………………………………………………………………
page 7
Emotional Impact of a Disaster
Trauma ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
page 9
Crisis Counseling …………………………………………………………………………………………
page 9
The Complexities of Grief …………………………………………………………………………
page 10
Grief Counseling ……………………………………………………………………………………………
page 10
Spiritual Impact of a Disaster
Normal and Common Spiritual Reactions to a Traumatic Event …………
page 11
The Role of Ritual and Practices ………………………………………………………………
page 11
RESOURCES
Emotional Resources for the Person Impacted by Disaster ……………… page 14
Stress and Trauma ………………………………………………………………………………………
page 15
What is Crisis Intervention? ……………………………………………………………………… page 16
Crisis Intervention is Not Grief Counseling …………………………………………… page 17
Stages of Grief ……………………………………………………………………………………………… page 18
Characteristics of Grief Wheel ………………………………………………………………… page 19
After It Happens: Suggested “Do’s and Don’ts” for the Trauma Survivor page 20
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Spiritual Resources for the Person Impacted by Disaster …………………… page 21
Responding to Victims/Survivors About Spiritual Issues ……………………… page 22
Thoughts When Working With Victims/Survivors ………………………………… page 22
Resources of Faith Wheel …………………………………………………………………………… page 23
Time Relationships Resource