Ministry Training and Consulting Services - Lew Cox


Training the Clergy to help people
navigate their journey with traumatic grief
 

Bridging the Gap…

 

Traumatic Grief Five Core Training

  • Traumatic Grief and the Church

The objective of this program is to enhance the skills of church clergy, counselors, and elders to provide better care for individuals in their congregation who are coping with traumatic grief. The program primarily focuses on dealing with the sudden loss of loved ones, caused by various reasons such as sudden death, suicide, murder, automobile accidents, SIDS, drug overdoses, and more.

  • How To Help Grieving People

When a person passes away, their family and friends can provide invaluable support to the grieving family. However, after the funeral, many people may start to feel isolated and unsure about how to cope with their loss. During this time, compassionate clergy members and empathetic individuals can play a crucial role in helping church members navigate the grieving process and move toward healing. This is particularly important as the reality of the loss sets in, and the grief continues for an extended period.

  • Traumatic Grief and Children

Explaining death to young children can be a challenging task, particularly when they have older siblings who can understand the concept better. Children may display behavioral changes, both in the short and long term, as they try to reconcile their loss. The impact of death on children can be substantial and may have long-lasting effects that are difficult to predict.                      

  • Traumatic Grief and Anger

Anger is a natural and common emotion that can manifest as mild irritation or intense rage. It can arise suddenly or persist over a prolonged period. The management of anger varies from person to person and can involve a range of techniques. Coping with the sudden loss of a loved one can be a difficult experience that may require the bereaved to confront complex emotional issues.

  • Physiological Effects of Trauma on the Violence

The nervous system learns and adapts from experiences in its environment, while its regulation of thoughts, emotions, and physiology is affected by physiological arousal. Symptoms indicate changes in the nervous system.

 

Key Points in Addressing the Traumatic Grief Process

The ministry has composed a series of lectures to aid church leaders in understanding the impacts of traumatic grief on the body of Christ. We have recognized that violence is becoming increasingly prevalent in our communities, and the church is not immune to it. Equipping the ministry with the necessary knowledge and skills to support those who are experiencing traumatic grief will help individuals achieve a deeper level of healing and strengthen them spiritually.
 
Definition:
Traumatic grief arises from events like the violent death of a loved one or the loss of a child. It can also occur when your support system is unexpectedly taken away. The shock and unexpected nature of the loss can be traumatizing, leading to intrusive thoughts and intense emotions.

Different from Expected Grief:
Traumatic grief differs from the grief associated with expected losses. While all forms of grief are challenging, traumatic grief tends to be more overwhelming. It may even lead to a condition called prolonged grief disorder,  characterized by persistent longing for the lost person and interference with daily life.

Intense Feelings:
The feelings associated with traumatic grief are particularly intense. The sudden loss triggers distorted survival mechanisms alongside the mourning process. Individuals experiencing traumatic grief may also be at risk of developing post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Symptoms:
Traumatic grief can include nightmares, intrusive thoughts, emotional unpredictability, and a deep sense of shock and disbelief. 
Addressing traumatic grief requires a holistic approach, combining spiritual support, practical tools, and strategic action.

 
 
 

Traumatic Grief Five Core Training


This training program focuses on addressing the impact of traumatic grief on individuals. It is designed to help participants understand the five core components of traumatic grief, which are the emotional, cognitive, behavioral, physiological, and spiritual reactions to loss. The program's goal is to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to support people who are grieving and help them cope with their loss healthily and effectively.

Traumatic Grief and the Church
The objective of this program is to enhance the skills of church clergy, counselors, and elders to provide better care for individuals in their congregation who are coping with traumatic grief. The program primarily focuses on dealing with the sudden loss of loved ones, caused by various reasons such as sudden death, suicide, murder, automobile accidents, SIDS, drug overdoses, and more.

How To Help Grieving People

When a person passes away, their family and friends can provide invaluable support to the grieving family. However, after the funeral, many people may start to feel isolated and unsure about how to cope with their loss. During this time, compassionate clergy members and empathetic individuals can be crucial in helping church members navigate the grieving process and move toward healing. This is particularly important as the reality of the loss sets in, and the grief continues for an extended period.

Traumatic Grief and Children

Explaining death to young children can be a challenging task, particularly when they have older siblings who can understand the concept better. Children may display behavioral changes, both in the short and long term, as they try to reconcile their loss. The impact of death on children can be substantial and may have long-lasting effects that are difficult to predict.                      

Traumatic Grief and Anger

Anger is a natural and common emotion manifesting as mild irritation or intense rage. It can arise suddenly or persist over a prolonged period. The management of anger varies from person to person and can involve various techniques. Coping with the sudden loss of a loved one can be a difficult experience that may require the bereaved to confront complex emotional issues.

Physiological Effects of Trauma on the Violence
The nervous system learns and adapts from experiences in its environment, while its regulation of thoughts, emotions, and physiology is affected by physiological arousal. Symptoms indicate changes in the nervous system.
 
Remember that everyone experiences grief differently, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve. 
Please get in touch with us to discuss which training courses would best serve your needs.

 

Biography 

Mr. Lew Cox is the founder and former executive director of Violent Crime Victim Services. This organization is in Tacoma, Washington, and for 30 years, provided direct services to co-victims of homicide. Mr. Cox is a Certified Trauma Service Specialist and a Certified Victim Advocate Specialist. Lew has extensive experience as a homicide victim advocate, peer court companion, and peer support group facilitator. He trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM). Lew is a volunteer chaplain with the Des Moines, Washington Police Department. In 2001, he was part of a five-person chaplain team sent to the World Trade Center ground zero disaster site during Christmas Week. He experienced a line-of-duty death (homicide) of one of the Des Moines Police officers in 2001. Mr. Cox is a survivor of the murder of his twenty-two-year-old daughter, Carmon, in 1987. Lew Cox and Dr. Robert Baugher, Ph.D., co-authored the book, “Coping with Traumatic Grief: Homicide.”