The Spirituality of Trauma Debriefers

• Author / Creator

  Tracey-Anne M. Stagg

• Debriefing from crisis and trauma can be difficult and challenging for those who requiring debriefing and for the Debriefers. At the core of any individual is their spirit or soul. It is from this spiritual place the Debriefers ultimately function in their role as a Debriefer. My thesis examined the meaning of spirituality for experienced and trained trauma Debriefers within the field of emergency services. No previous research combining spirituality, crisis and trauma and debriefing was found upon which to build the thesis. It is believed the research presented is original research and therefore preliminary in this field. The concepts of spirituality, crisis and trauma and trauma debriefing are presented as they establish the foundation for the research data on the spirituality of trauma Debriefers. Through a qualitative hermeneutical phenomenological research methodology, four volunteer Debriefers shared what their meaning of spirituality is as they work as trauma Debriefers. The research identified five major themes. The primary theme revealed a “spirit to spirit” connection/energy/relationship that is observed solely and uniquely during the debriefing. The content of the debriefing often revolves around questions of a spiritual nature. The importance of the spirituality of the trauma Debriefer, spiritual importance in the debriefing and the spiritual connection during the debrief is identified. Recommendations are made to conduct further research in this area and to include education in the area of spirituality in the training curriculum for Debriefers, Trainers and Mentors.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Spirituality, Trauma

• Graduation date

  2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Theological Studies

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3NK36K39

• 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.