How One Woman Is Helping Trauma Survivors Find Healing: GIVEN Alumna Abby Albrinck

The Church is often looked to as a place of healing for spiritual and emotional wounds and this responsibility comes from Christ Himself. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

“‘Heal the sick!’ The Church has received this charge from the Lord and strives to carry it out by taking care of the sick as well as by accompanying them with her prayer of intercession. She believes in the life-giving presence of Christ, the physician of souls and bodies. This presence is particularly active through the sacraments, and in an altogether special way through the Eucharist, the bread that gives eternal life and that St. Paul suggests is connected with bodily health.” (CCC 1509)

In the Gospel of Mark, Christ states, “Jesus heard this and said to them [that], ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.’” (Mark 2:17) While Christ as the Divine Physician gave the Church this sacred duty as a place of healing for the sick, it can be challenging for pastors and their parish staff to find the appropriate care for their parishioners.

Abby Albrinck (GIVEN Alumna ’24) understands this challenge after seeing her mother — who is a parochial director of evangelization — struggle to find the right resources for parishioners in need of care after experiencing trauma. Abby explains, “When I was in college, my mom was working for our local parish. She and the pastor were encountering a lot of trauma in their work, so they started reading books about the effects of trauma. My mom lent me those books, since she thought they would be helpful to me as a psychology major.” Inspired by her mother’s example, Abby then found her calling to help trauma survivors find healing.

Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Abby received her Bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Theology from Thomas More University. Afterwards, she earned her Master’s in Clinical Psychology from the University of Dayton. She currently works as a Prospect Research Analyst at Dynamic Catholic while working on her GIVEN Action Plan, the launch of her website — Tria Corda Ministry — where she provides resources for individuals in need of healing after trauma. Abby named her ministry “Tria Corda” (three hearts in Latin) after the three hearts of the Holy Family — Mary, Joseph, and Christ. Tria Corda Ministry has two main pillars. The first pillar helps church professionals and volunteers learn more about the nature of trauma and how it affects survivors. This way, parishes can create safe environments within their ministries. The second pillar is geared towards trauma survivors to help them find inspiration and resources to support their healing journeys.

The GIVEN Institute provided Abby with the time and space to finally launch Tria Corda Ministry. Abby explained that she never had the opportunity to work on this project prior to participating at the GIVEN Forum in 2024. Abby’s experience was fruitful and helped her learn more about her gifts and receive guidance from her GIVEN mentor. She shares:

“One of my favorite parts of the GIVEN Forum was meeting all the other women going through GIVEN and hearing about their Action Plans. The diversity of gifts and plans revealed to me that God truly has a unique mission for each of us.”

Her GIVEN mentor played a critical role in encouraging Abby in the development of her Action Plan as well:

“My mentor played a crucial role in this journey. During every check-in meeting, she always took several minutes to affirm that the Church needed this idea, that God had inspired it in me, and that God would bring it to fruition… As someone who sometimes struggles with self-doubt and discouragement, especially during big projects like this, her affirmation was essential and helped me grow in trusting God’s inspiration, plan, timing, and gifts.”

Through the example of her mother, as well as her peers and mentor from the GIVEN Institute, Abby gained the confidence and tools needed to launch Tria Corda Ministry. Her action plan will help parishes build compassionate and caring communities that aid trauma survivors. Thanks to the GIVEN Institute, Abby continues to make strides in her new ministry and we pray for Abby’s continued success.

The GIVEN Institute helps women discover God’s love, to illuminate ‘the feminine genius’ that women contribute to families, society, the Church, and the world. Abby is an example of an alumna who is utilizing her gifts to fulfill her personal mission to support healing after trauma for Christ and His Church.