THI History And Changes
The Trauma Healing Institute was created by the American Bible Society in 2010. But the story of our program, how it was created, and how it’s grown to touch lives all over the world is so much richer than that. It’s a story full of God’s goodness, mercy, and unending love.
Read on to learn more about the history of the Trauma Healing Institute, and about how we’re still growing today.
Our Trauma Healing Method — The Start of Our Story
The earliest version of our Trauma Healing materials, which we now refer to as “the THI method,” were first created in the late 1990s. And, like everything we do today, they were created in response to real human need—to help people who were dealing with trauma.
After the Rwandan genocide in 1994, there was widespread war and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a response, local pastors, counselors, and community leaders came together to find a way to help people who were suffering deeply. They understood that traumatized people couldn’t engage with God or the Bible until their pain was addressed. So together, they created the first version of Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help. our trauma healing method.
Five unique characteristics that make our program work
Our trauma healing materials have evolved over time, but the same five characteristics that make our program uniquely effective were at the heart of the program from the start:
1. It brings together proven mental health practices and the wisdom of the Bible in a way that’s accessible to everyone.
2. It’s designed for anyone to use, with simple language and clear ideas that are easy to understand.
3. It happens in small groups, led by trained facilitators who don’t need to be professional counselors.
4. It uses a participatory format to help people engage deeply with themselves, with God, and with each other.
5. It’s adaptable, so people can use it no matter their background.
The Growth of Trauma Healing
Trauma Healing’s first official lessons were drafted in 2001 by mental health professionals, Bible translators, Scripture engagement consultants, and members of SIL International, an organization that is now a member of our THI Alliance. Then, in 2010, the American Bible Society took on the role of stewarding the Trauma Healing method and materials in partnership with the Trauma Healing Alliance.
The American Bible Society formed the Trauma Healing Institute to ensure that our program method, model, and resources remain relevant and accessible. And today, more than 7,500 healing groups facilitators are using the THI method to help hurting people in more than 100 countries. In total, our program has trained more than 20,000 facilitators. It is available in more than 150 languages, and more than 250,000 people have participated in healing groups around the world.
Today, the Trauma Healing Institute is made up of four parts:
1. Trauma Healing Alliance
The Trauma Healing Alliance is a group of international organizations that are actively committed to the ministry of trauma healing, working together to maximize our capacity and increase the reach of trauma healing worldwide.
2. Advisory Council
Our Advisory Council is composed of subject matter experts and seasoned practitioners in the areas of mental health counseling and Biblical studies, making sure that our approach is sound, well-informed, and adheres to best practices.
3. Curriculum Authors
The four authors of the original curriculum in the book Healing the Wounds of Trauma bring a wealth of experience and perspective to our work, and also to the development of new resources and materials.
4. Operational and Support Staff
A team of operational staff works to serve and equip partner organizations globally, supporting the tools and systems that facilitate implementation and shared learning around the world.
Empowering churches with accessible technology for a brighter future
Our mission today is the same that it’s ever been: to make the THI method available to as many churches and people as we can around the world. And one of the ways we’re doing that today is through technology.
{App name], the THI app, delivers both training and curriculum in audio & video format. It streamlines reporting, communication, and program management, giving users up-to-date information through a time-saving process. Through this platform, we can offer every program participant more Bible-based resources in the palm of their hand, offer a space for them to connect with others, and even become trained to help.
Our history at the Trauma Healing Institute is, at its core, a story of God’s faithfulness. It’s a story of how he can lead people in one place to create something that will change lives of people all over the world.
It’s a story we’re proud to be a part of. And it’s a story God’s still writing. If you’d like to be a part of the next chapter, we’d love to have you join us by learning more about our work and how you and your church can be a part of it.
