Forgiveness is often misunderstood and misrepresented as a recipe to stop hurting after a betrayal. In this 2 minute podcast, I define forgiveness and bitterness since so often when we want to talk about our pain someone asks us if we are embittered and if we have forgiven the one who wounded us.
Thanks to those who gave me ideas about lengthening the podcast. I’m considering that but will trial out a few more of these shorter episodes first.
Filed under "phil monroe", Forgiveness, mental health, Psychology
I want to let you know about an opportunity to engage with Dr. Diane Langberg and myself, designed especially for people helpers–mental health professionals, pastors, caregivers, and friends of those who are traumatized. Please read on if you are interested (link to register here):
The work of counseling and pastoral ministry is not “nice.” If you follow Jesus into the hard places of others’ lives, expect it to have an impact on you; to challenge your strongest held beliefs about God and the Church, your views on mental or emotional health, and your personal well-being. Join Dr. Diane Langberg and host Dr. Philip Monroe and learn from Dr. Langberg’s five decades of work with hurting people and broken systems. Listen as she talks about what has sustained her and answers your questions about what has helped her grow.
How do we continually sit with trauma and survive its impact? We will explore a specific concept during each of the three webinars:
January 15: Finding beauty means opening your eyes to the problems that are inherent as caregivers in the work of trauma. Followed by Q&A.
January 22: Embracing beauty is developing your primary helping tool: character and learning. Followed by Q&A.
January 27: Becoming beauty is applying what we have learned to trauma recovery work that leads to becoming the beauty of our Savior amid the piles of rubble and ruins we encounter every day. Followed by Q&A.
The 3 webinars will be three Sundays in a row, January 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 2:00pm-3:15pm Eastern Time. These webinars will include a Q&A portion, giving the audience an opportunity to ask Diane questions.
Cost and registration includes access to all 3 webinars. Registrants will have access to the Zoom webinar login information by January 9th, either via email or by visiting the online event page. Early Bird ticket price is $30 before December 25th, and $50 after that date.
NOTE: All three sessions will be recorded and emailed to every registered participant.
Filed under "phil monroe", Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, ptsd, trauma, Uncategorized
May is Mental Health Awareness month and so it is a good time to talk about how the church can be a place of safety for the millions of Americans who are facing emotional and mental health challenges, whether a result of COVID or other chronic conditions. Did you know, when individuals are part of supportive faith communities, they tend to recover more quickly than those who are isolated and alone?
Join me as I talk with Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin and Toni Collier about improving how we care well for wounded people. I’ll be unveiling some brand new, easy-to-use tools to help Christians bring healing and hope to their communities
Filed under "phil monroe", Christianity, Psychology
Consider joining me September 4, 2019 on a webinar hosted by The Partnership Center: Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, US Dept of Health and Human Services. I will be presenting on the spiritual impact of child abuse on adult survivors.
Part IV: Mental Illness 101: Childhood Trauma and Mental Health Impacts
Wedneday, September 4, 2019 | 12:00 —1:00 p.m. EDT
Register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/437d661ca5d8d0c434538d7d4481ef37
Trauma ― specifically trauma experienced as children or adolescents ― can significantly impact individuals across their entire lives. In fact, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (@NCTSN) notes that survivors of childhood trauma are more likely to have long-term health problems or are at higher risk to die at an earlier age than their peers. With so many walking wounded souls in our midst, people are starting to ask, “How can I make a difference?” Our July webinar will focus on this important factor impacting many people who are struggling with mental illness concerns – untreated childhood trauma. Our goals are to equip local faith and community leaders with the signs and symptoms of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and provide the proven resources they can incorporate into their congregational and community outreach efforts. Register today for our September 4th webinar, and invite a friend
Filed under "phil monroe", Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, trauma, Uncategorized
On June 7, 2018 (6-7p EDT), I will be participating in a speaker series presentation at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. I’ll be offering a brief response to Dr. Byron Johnson who is the main attraction. My focus will be on our trauma healing curriculum and program in jails and prisons. In addition, there will be a response by Prison Fellowship, International.
You can see the details here. I believe it will be aired on Fb Live.
Filed under "phil monroe", Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, trauma
This year the Global Community of Practice is on the theme of generational trauma (and its antidotes). If you aren’t coming, you may wish to access the live stream link below and watch the main sessions. I believe the link will contain the means to text or type 
questions and comments to what you are seeing. A moderator will review the comments and questions to be included in large group discussions so your thoughts may well be part of the global discussion.
See Agenda flyer listing the program for the next three days. The times listed are Eastern Daylight Time. Be sure to note the time that Diane Langberg is speaking on Tuesday on “living with generational trauma” and her closing on Thursday afternoon. There are many other can’t miss moments: devotions by Rev. Gus Roman and Carol Bremer-Bennett; presentations by Dr. Michael Lyles, Carolyn Custis James, Rod Williams and many more.
Live stream link: abs.us/COPLive
Each March, the American Bible Society’s Trauma Healing Institute hosts the Global Community of Practice. This year its theme is on the topic of Generational Trauma. We will have presentations about historic and generational trauma and the ways the church can be an agent of healing. Here is the official description
The 2018 Global Community of Practice Gathering will explore trauma
and healing through generations. You will hear from a wide range
of global speakers about how trauma gets passed down from one
generation to the next, infuses social structures, and results in unique
symptoms calling for unique responses. As always, we will focus on
how the Church (that’s you!) is helping
If you are interested in this topic, want to rub shoulders with those involved in trauma healing around the world, or want to get a taste of the trauma healing curriculum we use, register now.
When is it? March 13-15, 2018
Where is it? The American Bible Society headquarters at 101 N. Independence Mall East, Philadelphia, PA.
How do I find out more details? This link Registration flyer – COP Gathering will give you the details, show you the speakers and topics, and provide the link to register. Don’t delay. Last year we turned people away!
Filed under "phil monroe", American Bible Society, Training, Uncategorized
Last Sunday I did something I rarely do (at least in the United States). I preached. In the sermon I explore Jonah’s anger and our anger about injustice. I point out that the problem is not that Jonah is angry but that he is hardened and blinded. And then I end with the good news about how God relates to angry people and what he does to injustice.
You can listen here:
(recording by New Life Glenside, original here)
Filed under "phil monroe", anger, Justice
Does a resilient individual appear as if stress and trauma has not lasting impact? Does it mean we bounce back as if it never happened? Are there better ways to think about resilience in real life?
In 2014 I gave a presentation reviewing the topic of resilience (definition, examples, threats to, and helps) at our annual Trauma Healing Community of Practice hosted by the American Bible Society.
Sometimes we consider only resilience as an individual trait. I spend a bit of time talking about community resilience. Video is 25 minutes and associated slides (not embedded in the video) can be found here: 2014 COP Resilience.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 