Searching for Threads of Spiritual Growth Interwoven into Trauma Healing

  • Author / Creator
    Mearon, Joyce
  • This research examines the life journeys of three Métis women in an attempt to discover whether each individual’s healing process from a traumatic experience or experiences brought spiritual transformation, and if so, was that spiritual transformation rooted in a reclaiming of their Métis heritage? Within the broader domain of qualitative research, narrative inquiry was chosen as the most appropriate methodology. Narrative inquiry is a way of understanding experience, a way to create a new sense of meaning. The narratives focus on tragic life events of the three Métis women, the spiritual distress caused by those tragic life events, and the emerging spiritual awakening and reclaiming of their spiritual heritage as they healed. The women also experienced a profound sense of meaning and purpose. This research showed that spirituality was a vital part of the healing process for these Métis women. This leads to a further conclusion that support of the spiritual needs and basic spirituality of the traumatized people they work with is required by mental health professionals.

  • Subjects / Keywords
  • Graduation date
    Fall 2017
  • Type of Item
    Thesis
  • Degree
    Master of Psychotherapy and Spirituality
  • DOI
    https://doi.org/10.7939/R3NG4H74C
  • License
    This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.
  • Language
    English
  • Institution
    St. Stephen's College
  • Degree level
    Master's
  • Supervisor / co-supervisor and their department(s)
  • Examining committee members and their departments
    • Gardner, Leslie (St. Stephen's College)
    • Caufield, Catherine (Nursing)