During illness, hospitalization, injury and/or disability, the individual and his/her family experience trauma on many levels. Pastors, counsellors and those involved in care for the sick can play an important role in mobilizing the individual’s spiritual, emotional and social resources to achieve optimum healing and health. The course will help to master basic counselling skills to support the sick person and his/her family; be able to offer spiritual care and guidance in different situations; understand the modern health care environment and how to operate in this environment; have a better understanding of the impact of illness on the person.

A short course in Trauma Counselling. It is certainly not an overstatement to say that we live in a traumatized society. South Africa has some of the highest violent crime, abuse and rape statistics in the world. Caregivers and counsellors in society are overburdened by the psychosocial and spiritual impact of this situation. HospiVision, with its experience in trauma units at hospitals is ideally placed to provide training and practical experience in trauma counselling for lay and professional caregivers. Key areas that will be addressed by the course are exploring and understanding trauma; narrative approach to trauma counselling; care for the caregiver.

During this course, attendees will increase their own understanding of the world of children with regards to their developmental needs, and they will be encouraged to reflect critically on the spiritual experience of children with regards to illness, pain, and suffering. The impact of illness, hospitalisation and health care encounters on the child and family will be discussed, including children living with disabilities, chronic illness, life-threatening conditions such as HIV/AIDS and cancer, as well as the dying child. A discussion on the hospital environment will enable attendees to establish safe and effective visitation programmes for children. Attendees will also gain a better understanding of the rights of children in healthcare as well as relevant aspects of the Children’s Act.

This course, for all caregivers on the Bio-psychosocial-spiritual paradigm, is about caring for those patients diagnosed with life-limiting diseases. It covers relevant aspects of palliative care with a focus on spirituality and existential issues important in the end-of-life situation. A broad based approach is followed as it includes palliative care for those living on the streets, as well as what is of importance for those from other belief systems. As an interactive presentation style is followed, participants can bring their own personal experiences, thereby enriching the knowledge base of this course.