Spiritual Care and Trauma REBOOT: An Interview Study of U.S. Course Graduates

Spiritual care is in demand among individuals coping with trauma, but the barriers to seeking and providing spiritual care in traditional clinical settings suggest the need for community interventions. Trauma REBOOT is a 12-week, peer-led, Christian-based spiritual care course offered by trained volunteers in locations around the United States and online. We conducted the first study of the Trauma REBOOT program by interviewing 43 course graduates. Results revealed very positive perceptions of the course. Participants identified two reasons for attendance (seeking a program grounded in spirituality, looking for community), strengths of the program (structure of the curriculum, camaraderie among attendees), and avenues for improvement (preference for in-person format over remote format, more effective discussion leadership). They also described several effects of the course (more peace, transformed view of God, healthier boundaries in relationships, greater compassion for others, finding meaning in suffering). Based on these findings, we consider ways to enhance the delivery of spiritual care for trauma and refine the Trauma REBOOT program.