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Most people will experience a traumatic event in their lives, but many go without adequate access to mental health
support. It is common for individuals to first seek support from their religious community or spiritual leaders before
considering professional help. This educational workshop aims to empower those in ministry, including seminarians,
clergy, and lay leaders, with basic knowledge about trauma exposure and post-traumatic stress. Participants will be
offered tools to support those they serve who have lived through potentially traumatic experiences. Further, the
workshop will provide information on religious and spiritual trauma and how those in ministry can aid individuals who are finding faith again after a traumatic religious experience.

While the workshop is geared towards spiritual leaders, anyone is welcome to attend. There will be three sessions,
each building on the previous session. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions.

Session 1: Trauma 101

Session 2: Religious and Spiritual Trauma

Session 3: Skills for Application in Ministry Settings

Dr. Rachel Oakes is a post-doctoral resident in Clinical Psychology. She earned her doctoral degree from Saint Louis
University, where her research and clinical training focused primarily on understanding the impact of trauma exposure
on those who have experienced childhood maltreatment. Dr. Oakes completed her pre-doctoral internship at the VA
Maryland Healthcare System, serving on the PTSD and Substance Use Disorders treatment teams. She has
experience working with individuals who are healing from a range of traumatic experiences. Dr. Oakes currently works
as a clinician full time at Virginia Therapy and Wellness.

Prior to her graduate work, Rachel was active in youth and collegiate ministry efforts in the Catholic church. Now a
practicing Episcopalian, Rachel is married to a VTS seminarian who is a candidate for holy orders for the Diocese of
Olympia