COHORTS

Empathetic Witness Cohort

“Trauma is what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness,” says Dr. Gabor Maté. The chances are high that all of us know someone with religious trauma, whether or not we realize it. The Global Center for Religious Research estimates that 15-20% of American adults currently experience religious trauma (i.e., 40-60 million people) — it’s a reality that touches most people’s lives. Faith leaders who care well for survivors have a trauma-informed understanding of human bodies and have developed trauma-responsive pastoral skills — they are empathetic witnesses to the pain of others.

The Empathetic Witness cohort is for pastors, ministry leaders, therapists, or anyone who wants to care for those who have religious trauma. This virtual cohort is led by Dr. Charles Kiser, a pastor for sixteen years among spiritually traumatized folks in Dallas, Texas, and author of Becoming a Wounded Healer and Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers.

In this training, participants will:

  • Engage in embodied spiritual practices

  • Learn stories and concepts related to religious trauma

  • Consider fresh theological imagination about abuse and trauma

  • Explore postures and practices of healing trauma

  • Create an action plan for how to continue to grow as a healer

Current Offerings:

Spring/Summer Leader Cohort

May 19-June 30, 2025

  • Faith leaders—whether pastors, ministers, ministry leaders, elders, or other spiritual companions—who want to care well for the wounded around them.


  • The group will consist of 5-8 participants and one facilitator (Charles).

  • We will meet via Zoom for six weeks, taking a break for the Memorial Day holiday:

    • May 19

    • June 2

    • June 9

    • June 16

    • June 23

    • June 30

    Each session will begin at 7 p.m. CST and last for 90 minutes.

  • Thanks to the generosity of donors of The Healing Collective, the total for all six sessions is $50, plus the cost to purchase Trauma-Informed Evangelism for select readings (available online for $15-20).

  • Attend all six sessions

    • This is important for cultivating a supportive learning environment for everyone.

    Commit to confidentiality

    • All that is shared in the group space must be kept confidential (except what would be illegal not to share) in order to maintain safety.

    Purchase a copy of Trauma-Informed Evangelism from your bookstore of choice

    • Commit to read brief selected readings from the book in preparation for each week’s session.

    • You’ll receive access to a Learning Management System that will outline your weekly readings.

Registration:

Want to sign up for the Empathetic Witness cohort? Space is limited. Reserve your spot below.