Therapy for Religious Trauma.
Therapy for Spiritual Identity & Wellness.

“PAUSE IS AN ACT OF EMPOWERMENT IN A WORLD DRIVEN, BULLIED
INTO DOING.”

—Valerie Brown

Spiritual abuse and religious trauma are real.

If you have been hurt by religious institutions or religious leaders, first I want to say, “I’m sorry.” Religious communities can provide a helpful sense of belonging and support, but sometimes religious beliefs can be used to control, exclude, or shame people in ways that cause significant trauma. This can be especially true for marginalized populations, such as the LGBTQIAP+ community. Your stories and experiences are important, and I would be honored to hear them because they deserve a voice and to be listened to deeply.

Religious Trauma

Religious trauma refers to the psychological, emotional, and sometimes physical distress that develops in response to harmful experiences within religious contexts.

Some examples of religious trauma include:

  • Intense anxiety or physical reactions when encountering religious symbols, buildings, or language

  • Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or being "defective"

  • Difficulty trusting your own thoughts, feelings, or perceptions

  • Fear of divine punishment for ordinary thoughts or behaviors

  • Shame related to your sexual orientation/expression or gender expression/identity

  • Intrusive thoughts about religious concepts like hell or judgment

  • Feelings of betrayal by God, religious leaders, or community

  • Grief over lost identity, purpose, or community connections

Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse occurs when religious authority or influence is used to control, manipulate, or harm others—it refers to specific harmful actions or patterns within religious contexts.

Some examples of spiritual abuse include:

  • Using scripture or religious teachings to control, shame, or silence

  • Claiming divine authority to avoid accountability or questioning

  • Demanding absolute obedience to human leaders as a measure of faith

  • Exploiting followers financially through manipulation or pressure

  • Isolating members from outside influences or relationships

  • Distorting teachings to justify abuse of power or inappropriate behavior

Church Hurt

Church hurt refers to the emotional wounds and disappointment that result from negative experiences within faith communities—it often stems from interpersonal conflicts, institutional failures, or misalignments between stated values and actual practices.

Some examples of church hurt include:

  • Being excluded, judged, or gossiped about by congregation members

  • Feeling unsupported during personal crises or life challenges

  • Witnessing hypocrisy between proclaimed beliefs and actual behaviors

  • Experiencing conflict that isn't addressed in healthy ways

  • Feeling used for your talents or contributions without reciprocal care

  • Having your needs dismissed or minimized by community leaders

Religious Trauma from a Holistic Perspective

Let’s work together to help you:

  • Learn mindfulness strategies and coping skills to build a personal toolbox for emotional regulation

  • Deconstruct unhelpful belief systems and create awareness of negative internal messages you may be holding onto

  • Practice setting healthy boundaries and exercising personal autonomy

  • Navigate rebuilding emotional resources, self-trust, and social connections

  • Recover from purity culture and its effects on your current relationships

  • Embrace a spirituality that can evolve and grow as you do

  • Increase feelings of safety, strength, and connection

  • Reconstruct a spiritual or meaning-making system that aligns with your current (or desired) values

Do I need to be religious to do this work?

Whether you identify with a particular religious tradition and want to continue doing so, are a spiritual seeker, or identify with no religious tradition at all, you are welcome here. There is no one right way to move forward after religious trauma or spiritual abuse.

While I am able to help you explore spiritual practices that may be helpful for you at this point in your life if that is something you are interested in, I also fully respect and understand that sometimes our early experiences with religion push us away from religion later in life, and that’s okay too! I will meet you where you are with empathy and compassion.