A handbook for Pastors and Other Helping Professionals.

  Every pastor dreads this call: a member of your congregation  has been murdered, a member of your congregation has been in a catastrophic accident. What do you do? As you fly out the door to offer care, what will you meet? How can you help?

An extraordinary number of survivors of such events turns to clergy for help first. Often this survivor develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Knowing how to recognize PTSD and how to minister in these crisis situations is critical for caregivers. Through case illustrations, Weaver, Flannelly, and Preston offer practical advise and resources so that caregivers can access needed information in a matter of minutes before heading to the Hospital or crime scene.

"... a pratical and insightful resource."          Pascal M.Ochberg, M.D

"To be profoundly traumatised and victimized is to have your faith in humanity  tested, sometimes broken. Recovery from trauma - wounds to flesh and feeling and spirit - requires more than individual effort. All of us who understand and who care must act in concert. These authors, Andrew Weaver, Laura Flannelly, and John Preston, bring us together, regardeless, of our beliefs, our denominations, our experiences. We 'first responders' need to know the latest scientific facts and the best clinical approaches in order to counsel survivors of traumatic events."                                     Franck M.Ochlbeg, M.D Founding Board Member, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies...