The Path to Healing from Sexual Trauma Conference – 2024

Sexual trauma impacts all of us. It has either touched us directly or impacted someone we love. Sexual trauma in early childhood nearly always produces dissociation, thus this conference will address both general guidance for the healing journey and offer a specific focus on the complex trauma and early childhood sexual trauma that produces dissociation.

Originally broadcast live on November 9, 2024, the recordings of this conference are now accessible. Featuring trauma experts Dr. Marcus Warner, Dr. Heather Gingrich, and Melissa Finger, the event offers deep insights into the impact of sexual trauma and pathways toward healing. Sessions include foundational models like WLVS, BUILD, and BASK, exploring topics such as dissociation, emotional healing, and the integration of faith in trauma recovery. Designed for counselors, ministry leaders, and anyone seeking to support trauma survivors—or walk their own healing journey—this event equips viewers with both knowledge and practical tools.

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There IS a Path to Healing: Sexual Trauma Recovery Conference

A Comprehensive Approach to Complex Trauma and Dissociation

Sexual trauma touches every community, affecting individuals directly or through loved ones. This specialized online conference addresses the complex realities of sexual trauma, particularly focusing on early childhood experiences that often result in dissociation. Recorded live on November 9, 2024, this resource provides both general healing guidance and specific strategies for addressing complex trauma and dissociative responses.

Expert Presenters

  • Dr. Marcus Warner, Th.M., M.Div., D.Min. – President of Deeper Walk International and author of multiple trauma recovery resources including Breakthrough!, Understanding the Wounded Heart, and A D.I.D. Primer.
  • Dr. Heather Gingrich, Ph.D. – Professor at Chapman School of Graduate Studies, Toccoa Falls College, with specialized expertise in trauma recovery and dissociation treatment.
  • Melissa Finger, M.S., N.C.C. – Founder & Executive Director of Trauma Healing Center KC, bringing extensive clinical experience in complex trauma therapy.

Each presenter contributes decades of hands-on experience in helping individuals recover from complex trauma.

Who is This For?

This conference serves multiple audiences seeking to understand sexual trauma and healing pathways:

  • Professional Helpers- Counselors, coaches, therapists, and ministry leaders who work with trauma survivors and need enhanced skills and understanding.
  • Adult Survivors – Individuals on their own healing journey from sexual abuse who want to better understand their experiences and recovery process.
  • Church Leaders & Missionaries – Ministry professionals who encounter trauma survivors and need practical guidance for providing effective support.
  • Families & Friends – Those supporting loved ones through trauma recovery who want to understand how to help more effectively.

Session Overview

Session 1: Understanding the Wounded Heart – Presenter: Dr. Marcus Warner

This foundational session integrates insights from three core Deeper Walk resources, providing essential frameworks for trauma recovery. Participants will explore survivor success stories, learn brain-based understanding of dissociation development, and be introduced to the biblical WLVS trauma model and comprehensive BUILD healing framework.

Session 2: Shattered No More! Healing What’s Broken Due to Sexual Trauma  – Presenter**: Dr. Heather Gingrich

Dr. Gingrich addresses the fragmentation experienced by sexual trauma survivors, introducing the BASK model of dissociation (Behavior, Affect, Sensation, Knowledge). This session provides practical understanding of trauma symptoms and demonstrates how memory components can be integrated to restore wholeness.

Session 3: Common Obstacles to Finding Healing from Sexual Trauma – Presenter: Melissa Finger

This practical session identifies the three most common barriers trauma survivors encounter in their healing journey. Participants will learn to recognize and respond appropriately to fear and shame indicators while developing their own emotional capacity to effectively support others without becoming obstacles to recovery.

Session 4: Panel Discussion & Q&A – Moderator: Dr. Marcus Warner with Dr. Gingrich and Melissa Finger

The final session features interactive discussion between all presenters, diving deeper into the presented concepts and addressing audience questions from the original livestream. Dr. Warner provides practical tools, resources, and actionable next steps for continued growth in trauma ministry.

Key Learning Models

  • BASK Model – Understanding dissociation through Behavior, Affect, Sensation, and Knowledge components
  • BUILD Framework – Comprehensive model for structuring the healing journey
  • WLVS Approach – Biblical foundation for understanding and addressing trauma

Conference Impact

This resource equips attendees with both theoretical understanding and practical application tools for trauma recovery work. The combination of clinical expertise, biblical foundation, and real-world experience provides a well-rounded approach to supporting sexual trauma survivors on their path to healing and wholeness.

Videos

Session 1 - Understanding the Wounded Heart

Session 2 - Shattered No More! Healing What’s Broken Due to Sexual Trauma

Session 3 - Common Obstacles to Finding Healing from Sexual Trauma

Session 4 - Panel Discussion and Q&A

Speakers

Deeper Walk International President

Marcus Warner has served as president of Deeper Walk International since 2006. Marcus earned three degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School – M.Div., Th.M. Old Testament, and D.Min. He has written numerous books including his most recent title, Breakthrough! 5 Essential Strategies for Freedom, Healing, & Wholeness. An in-demand speaker, Marcus has spoken for both ministry and corporate groups across the country and around the world. A Bible teacher at heart, Marcus has taught Old Testament and Theology at the junior high, high school, college, and seminary levels. His passion is taking complex topics and making them practical and accessible for everyone.

Ph.D., Professor, Chapman School of Graduate Studies, Toccoa Falls College

Heather Davediuk Gingrich, Ph.D., developed and coordinates the Graduate Certificate in Trauma Therapy at the Chapman School of Graduate Studies at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia and is graduate counseling faculty. Her prior positions include eight years in full-time clinical practice, eight years of teaching in Canada, eight years of teaching in MA and doctoral programs in the Philippines, and a 17-year stint as Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary. Along with her teaching positions she has maintained a part-time clinical practice focused on working with trauma survivors.

Her doctoral dissertation was on complex trauma and dissociation in a university student sample in the Philippines. She has written several academic books for counselors, including Restoring the Shattered Self: A Christian Counselor’s Guide for Complex Trauma (2020, IVP Academic), Treating Trauma in Christian Counseling (co-edited; 2017, IVP Academic), and Skills for Effective Counseling: A Faith-based Integration (co-authored; 2016) as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters on trauma and dissociation. She has also authored a book for survivors which came out in April 2024 titled Shattered No More! Healing for Survivors of Abuse, Interpersonal Violence, and Complex Trauma.

Heather has been married to her best friend, Fred, for over four decades. They have two adult children and are raising their grandson, Rico, whom they adopted. She loves the outdoors, working outside when the weather allows, and enjoys hiking, walking, and swimming.  Heather likes to travel, enjoys beach vacations, and has always loved reading novels to relax. She enjoys playing games with family and friends.

Founder & Executive Director of the Trauma Healing Center, Inc.

Melissa Finger is the founder and executive director of the Trauma Healing Center, Inc. in Olathe, Kansas. The mission of the Trauma Healing Center is to assist individuals in healing from trauma, partner with other organizations and ministries to further equip them in trauma-informed care, and provide support to Community Caregivers in their own personal and professional development. In addition to this work, Melissa has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling that she has used in various counseling settings for more than fifteen years. In 2011, she transitioned from professional counseling into biblical counseling. As a biblical counselor her focus has been trauma-informed care for individuals who have a history of severe and complex trauma.

Melissa developed the term Trauma Coping System as a way to describe God’s design for the trauma response of dissociation for children who have been abused. In her first two books, Trauma Coping System, and Trauma Coping System Devotional, Melissa describes God’s design for helping a child survive overwhelming trauma, as well as his design for their complete healing. In addition, Melissa has published two fiction books on this topic. Her 5th book, Living an Abundant Life, is due to be released in summer 2024, and will focus on identity in Christ, spiritual warfare, and embracing God’s design for growth and healing for each person.

Melissa lives in the Midwest and is married with two children. She loves to spend time with her family traveling, attending sports games, hiking, or just hanging around the house. Making relational connections and finding creative outlets are two of her favorite ways to spend her time.

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