Ep. 36: "Walking through Trauma" with Ryan Kuja
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ABOUT THE EPISODE
Spiritual director, therapist, and writer Ryan Kuja sits down with Sarah to tell the story about being abducted in Zimbabwe and the resulting trauma he experienced. Ryan shares about how that unexpected event fractured pieces of who he was, the ways trauma manifested itself in his body and his life, and how he found healing ways to move forward in therapy and in contemplative Christianity. Now a trauma-informed therapist himself, Ryan also shares some important insights about what trauma is, how we can recognize it, and ways we can extend compassion to others.
MEET THE GUEST
Ryan Kuja is a trauma-informed therapist as well as a spiritual director, writer, and teacher. With a background in international mission, relief, and development, he is a global citizen who has lived in fifteen cities on five continents.
He has two master's degrees related to the intersection of counseling psychology and theology from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (expected 2021). Ryan's writing has been published in a variety of peer-reviewed journals as well as at Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, and Missio Alliance. His book, From the Inside Out, is a clarion call for the integration of action & contemplation through engaging memory, mysticism, mutuality, and imagination toward the flourishing of self and world.
Ryan lives in Holland, MI with his wife, Katie, and their toddler triplets Fin, Kirby, and Kailani. You can connect with his at RyanKuja.com and on Instagram and Twitter.
EPISODE NOTES
Ryan’s book: From the Inside Out: Reimagining Mission, Recreating the World
“The cure for the pain is in the pain.” —Rumi
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of us.” —Maya Angelou
What Ryan is Reading:
Transcending Trauma: Healing Complex PTSD with Internal Family Systems by Frank G. Anderson
Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation by Martin Laird
Connect with Ryan:
Website: RyanKuja.com
Instagram: @ryankuja
Twitter: @ryankuja
Additional Resources about Trauma-Informed Therapy and Finding a Practitioner:
EMDR International Association (https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/)
Ergos Institute for Somatic Education (https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/)
IFS Institute (https://ifs-institute.com/about-us)
Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute (https://sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/)
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