Insights and Resources for the Road Ahead
Chaplain Deb is deeply committed to bringing thoughtful perspectives and expertise to the complex issues related to trauma-informed spiritual care and resiliency, especially when it’s caused by violence or climate change. Only by remaining updated on cutting-edge research and bringing her voice to the table is she able to offer the highest quality spiritual care services available.
Radical Theology
Just a few days ago, a church member asked me how I arrived at my own personal spiritual beliefs; she thought that knowing might help her daughter who was struggling with the psychological and faith impacts of trauma. I could only share that my current belief is in a...
The Child Wounds
The concepts of the “mother wound” and “father wound” have been around the therapeutic world for several years. As with many notions, sometimes those ideas take some time to ripple into the general population. And so it was with an AA women’s group discussion of the...
Follow the Cra Cra
We may feel crazy, but there’s usually a reason. I ask her to think about the possibility… the hope that she can heal and get better.
Wear Red
Wednesday October 13 is the day we will wear red to stand in solidarity with and as Jane Doe. Why red? The spiritual meaning of red centers on grounding and deep transformation.
Justice for each and every Jane Doe
Last Saturday marked the local Celebration of Life for Mimi, a young beautiful woman who died from alcoholism and the impacts of violent, sexual traumas. When will we see justice for Mimi and all the Jane Doe’s of the world?
A Shoulder and Sounding Board
In a recent women’s step study meeting, a young woman with two years of sobriety shared that she was struggling emotionally – feeling overwhelmed, untethered and alone. She was looking for a new job and had begun a new medication regimen in the hopes of feeling...
One year since 6 people were killed in Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting, we remember and look ahead
It’s been a year since an employee opened fire on his co-workers at a Chesapeake Walmart. A year since six employees lost their lives during a busy night shift two days before Thanksgiving.
Psycho-Spiritual First Aid
Join Chaplain Deb Wacker, M.Div, MBA, BCCC, FHPC for an introduction to psycho-spiritual first aid, a key intervention in disaster and crisis response. Participants will learn this intervention’s principles, how it differs from other interventions (such as critical incident stress management), where to learn more about psycho-spiritual first aid, and how they might implement it in their own practice of spiritual care.
Working on Our Spiritual Muscles for Social Justice in Disasters
14 hurricanes. 41,944 wildfires. 1,078 tornadoes. Flash flooding abounds. All in a nine-month time period in 2023.
No doubt, the effects of climate change continue to accelerate. With ever more disasters, the need and level of skills for those in service positions also accelerate.
Out of the Ashes… Community Resilience and the Human Spirit
As I write this, two of our Hawaiian islands have been decimated by wildfire to the likes of Pompeii. The effects of climate change have devastated more communities than we can track. In 2023, over 26,276 individuals have lost their lives to gun violence. There have been 431 mass shooting incidents across our nation.
Follow the Cra Cra
We may feel crazy, but there’s usually a reason. I ask her to think about the possibility… the hope that she can heal and get better. Read
Justice for each and every Jane Doe
Last Saturday marked the local Celebration of Life for Mimi, a young beautiful woman who died from alcoholism and the impacts of violent, sexual traumas. When will we see justice for Mimi and all the Jane Doe’s of the world? Read
One year since 6 people were killed in Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting, we remember and look ahead
It’s been a year since an employee opened fire on his co-workers at a Chesapeake Walmart. A year since six employees lost their lives ... Read
Psycho-Spiritual First Aid
Join Chaplain Deb Wacker, M.Div, MBA, BCCC, FHPC for an introduction to psycho-spiritual first aid, a key intervention in disaster and crisis response. Participants will learn this intervention’s principles, how it differs from other interventions (such as critical incident stress management), where to learn more about psycho-spiritual first aid, and how they might implement it in their own practice of spiritual care. Read
Working on Our Spiritual Muscles for Social Justice in Disasters
14 hurricanes. 41,944 wildfires. 1,078 tornadoes. Flash flooding abounds. All in a nine-month time period in 2023. No doubt, the effects of climate change continue to accelerate. With ever more disasters, the need and level of skills for those in service positions also accelerate. Read
Out of the Ashes… Community Resilience and the Human Spirit
As I write this, two of our Hawaiian islands have been decimated by wildfire to the likes of Pompeii. The effects of climate change have devastated more communities than we can track. In 2023, over 26,276 individuals have lost their lives to gun violence. There have been 431 mass shooting incidents across our nation. Read