A PATH TO WHOLENESS
Trauma Recovery
Integrating Biblical & Psychological Perspectives
for Emotional, Relational, and Spiritual Wholeness
Each of us carries wounds—some visible, many hidden. Whether rooted in neglect, loss, abuse, or intergenerational patterns, trauma leaves an imprint. This book assists readers in recognizing internal "soil" conditions and finding the path to restoration.
Healing is possible.
"The gardening metaphor works well because ... it gives readers a simple way to picture growth, damage, patience, and repair."
— Literary Titan, 5-Star Review
DEEPEN YOUR HEALING
Trauma Recovery Courses
Four comprehensive online courses designed to guide you through each dimension of healing—emotional, personal, relational, and spiritual.
Coming Soon
Emotional Recovery
Understanding the impact of trauma on emotions and pathways to emotional healing.
Coming Soon
Self-Recovery
Exploring how trauma shapes your view of self and rebuilding a healthy identity.
Coming Soon
Relational Recovery
Healing the impact of trauma on relationships and building secure attachments.
Coming Soon
Spiritual Recovery
Restoring your relationship with God after trauma and deepening your faith.
Gustafson's book, Trauma Recovery, received the Literary Titan Book Award in recognition of its compassionate insight and its ability to bridge professional counselling concepts with biblical faith.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Karen Gustafson
Writer • Retired Counsellor • Trauma Educator
Karen Gustafson is a writer whose life story is deeply rooted in faith, resilience, and compassion. She holds over 35 years of experience in ministry, counselling, and trauma therapy.
Married for 26 years, Karen is the proud mother of three adult sons and grandmother to ten grandchildren. She spent 16 transformative years in Brazil as a missionary with Teach Beyond (formerly Janz Team), serving at Gramado Theological Seminary alongside her late husband.
Karen's husband died unexpectedly in a vehicle roll-over, with Karen in the vehicle. She knows what it is to experience trauma, and has a deep-hearted compassion for those who are struggling towards recovery.
MA Counselling Psychology
Bachelor of Biblical Studies
17+ Years Counselling Experience
OEI Trauma Therapist (16 years)
16 Years Missionary in Brazil
Founder, Bear Creek Counselling
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Testimonials & Endorsements
Hear from readers, professionals, and ministry leaders about the impact of this work.
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Karen Gustafson's Trauma Recovery is a faith-centered and research-informed guide to understanding trauma and healing from it. The book brings together biblical reflection, psychology, attachment theory, personal experience, and practical recovery tools in a way that feels sincere and purposeful. Gustafson writes from both professional training and lived grief, which gives the book a grounded, compassionate voice. This is a book about wounds and restoration. Gustafson explains trauma as something that can affect the brain, body, spirit, emotions, relationships, identity, and even a person's relationship with God. Early on, she writes, "Post-traumatic emotions can last for years, but it's possible to understand and recover from them so that they don't last a lifetime." That sentence captures the book's steady tone: trauma is taken seriously, but healing is treated as real and reachable. … It's part teaching guide, part devotional reflection, and part recovery roadmap. Gustafson gives readers language for what trauma does, but she also gives them a hopeful picture of what healing can look like: deeper self-compassion, safer relationships, renewed faith, and a life that can grow again.
— Literary Titan (5-Star Review)
Karen Gustafson's Trauma Recovery is a compassionate and insightful guide to understanding the complex journey of trauma recovery. A particular strength is Gustafson's thoughtful integration of biblical truth with contemporary psychological research. Rather than treating faith and psychology as competing perspectives, she demonstrates how they can work together to foster emotional, relational, and spiritual healing. Scripture is handled with care, and psychological insights are presented in a practical and accessible way. The book emphasizes that healing often occurs within safe, trustworthy relationships and through God's grace rather than quick or simplistic solutions. Blending biblical reflection, personal stories, and practical application, it is accessible to both trauma survivors and those who walk alongside them. Overall, Trauma Recovery is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a biblically grounded, psychologically informed understanding of trauma and recovery. It offers hope without minimizing suffering and encourages readers to embrace the importance of safe and healthy environments towards wholeness. Highly recommended for parents, pastors, church leaders, Christian counsellors, small-group facilitators, Bible College / University counselling courses and anyone supporting those recovering from trauma.
— Loren Schultz, B Ed, MA (5/5)
Free Offers
Complimentary Resources
Two free resources to support your healing journey and deepen your understanding of trauma recovery.
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Inspiring Real-Life OEI Trauma Recovery Stories
Powerful, real-life trauma recoveries through OEI Trauma Therapy. Read how clients experienced life-changing breakthroughs, including:
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Facial tics eliminated
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"Fight, flight, freeze" states resolved
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Eyesight restored
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Body pain eliminated
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Trauma symptoms lifted
(Names have been changed to protect confidentiality.)
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The Sin and Trauma of Blame: A Biblical and Psychological Perspective
Blaming and accusations fuel trauma and impede recovery. This fascinating biblical and research-based study links truths from both fields and offers compassionate, evidence-based pathways that shift from blame to illuminate real trauma recovery.
GET IN TOUCH
Connect with Karen
Have questions, want to share your story, or interested in speaking engagements? I'd love to hear from you.