Religious Trauma Therapy

In Seattle, Washington and Houston, Texas

 

You may be feeling isolated, ashamed, and like you can’t reconcile your present with your past. I understand, and I’m here to help.

I help people heal and move forward from traumatic experiences related to religion.

If you’re ready to start the process, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.

My approach to Religious Trauma Therapy

You grew up in a religious home. Maybe yours was a strict religious family, or you had controlling religious parents. Shame was one of the primary tools used by adults to mold your behavior. Your identity was frequently in question as you tried to reconcile who you were in and out of church. You’re at a place in your life now where you’ve made one or more faith transitions. Still, talking about religion makes you uncomfortable.

Maybe you’re starting to awaken to the issues of your upbringing. But it’s not always easy to cut ties. Many of us still have family closely tied to their religious roots. It's complicated.

Some people have unfortunately experienced deeper pain related to their upbringing. My clients talk about references to religious gaslighting and spiritual abuse. These experiences often contribute to what’s now referred to as “spiritual PTSD.”

As a result, religious trauma survivors engage in behaviors they don’t love. For example, you might cope with painful memories through disordered eating. You might have trouble trusting others and starting new relationships. You may struggle with being intimate with partners. Perhaps you still have minor beliefs which match the doctrine you worked so hard to escape.

To help you with these issues, I use Internal Family Systems therapy. IFS is a proven effective approach for healing trauma of all kinds. It is especially helpful for when we feel torn in multiple directions. For example, you might want to visit parents but not want to attend their church.

I will do my best to provide you with a safe, non-judgmental space to process your pain and move forward. I think the best way to describe my role is as a collaborator. I always encourage my clients to work at their own pace, and to let me know if I ever cross any boundaries. Having a fair power dynamic between client and therapist is extremely important.

I've personally worked hard to move past the struggles of my own religious upbringing. As a result, this type of healing is particularly meaningful to me. I care a lot about bringing peace to clients who have gone through similar experiences.

Religious Trauma Therapy FAQs

  • One of the easiest ways to know if something was traumatic is if it was harmful. In the case of religious trauma, harm occurred in a religious context. Examples include church, private school, or a strict home environment. Sometimes my clients don’t like using the word “trauma,” so I try to respect that. I also point out that sometimes there’s “Uppercase-T Trauma” and “lowercase-t trauma.” I do this to normalize the fact that we have all experienced some kind of trauma in some way. The point is, if you’re hurting, then there may be an opportunity to heal.

  • Yes. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a clinical definition of a collection of symptoms. Symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, or extreme avoidance of reminders of the original trauma. Religious trauma can lead to these symptoms, but not all the time. PTSD can also be a result of “invisible” factors like genetics, extra life stressors, and even the luck of the draw. Whether you meet the criteria for spiritual PTSD does not say anything about you as a person. If you are hurting, then you deserve the chance to heal.

  • Yes! Sometimes I work with clients who say they have “post-religious issues.” Even without a painful religious history, sometimes people discover that their beliefs change. Changing or dropping religions or spiritual beliefs can be a difficult life transition. I’m happy to help you work through this change and find a sense of peace.

Get help from a Religious Trauma Therapist

Whatever you’re struggling with, IFS can help. If you’re an adult looking for individual counseling, and you’re up for doing the work, then we might be a good fit. Schedule a free 15-20 minute phone consultation today.