religious trauma

Religious trauma, sometimes referred to as spiritual abuse, is a phenomenon that is gaining more and more awareness as individuals learn that the events they suffered at the hands of religion weren’t okay. Religion and spirituality can be beautiful and healing experiences, but sometimes it turns into indoctrination. When members of a religious group lose a sense of autonomy, experience consistent shame around their thoughts and emotions, and feel a looming sense of fear around being punished by authority figures or the divine, they may be experiencing spiritual abuse or religious trauma. It can be difficult to realize you have experienced religious trauma. The loss of community, and sometimes the loss of faith, can be as traumatic as the experience itself. People often feel empty, confused, rudderless, alone, and ashamed when they make the decision to leave an abusive religious community, but you don’t have to go through that experience alone. Contact us to get started on your journey of healing from religious trauma.

Resources for clients

• 7 Ways Religion Traumatizes People YouTube video

• The BITE Model and Religious Cult Groups

• Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free by Linda Kay Klein