How to talk to your therapist about religious trauma
As a religious trauma specialist, I’ve heard from more than a few clients about their challenging experiences when bringing up religious trauma with a previous therapist unprepared to talk about it. Because of the pervasive nature of religious trauma, you may encounter a therapist who has their own biases, triggers, and unresolved wounds around religious […]
How to get over Catholic guilt according to a religious trauma expert
If you were raised Catholic or spent significant time in the religion, you may be wondering how to get over your Catholic guilt. Many people struggle to overcome this pervasive feeling long after they’ve found their way out of a more restrictive version of Catholicism. Whether you are now identify as a more progressive Catholic, […]
Should I go to therapy for my feelings about climate change?
If you’ve been struggling with your emotions and reactions to the worsening climate crisis, you might be wondering if you should go to therapy to explore your response to climate change. You might be curious about what this type of therapy entails, and whether it could be helpful for someone like you. You also might […]
Three parenting styles that contribute to religious trauma (and how they affect you as an adult)
High control religions dictate all aspects of life, and parenting is no exception. Many restrictive religious communities offer parenting guidance either overtly or covertly. From sermons on the topic to social pressure to parent a particular way, parents can feel an enormous amount of pressure to parent in line with their religious community’s expectations. In […]
I’m proud of myself for leaving the church. Why am I so depressed?
As a religious trauma therapist, and a religious trauma survivor myself, a common theme I’ve observed is a period (or periods) of depression following leaving a church or religious community that has caused you harm. You might find this confusing – you did something you’re proud of, that feels liberating, and yet you also can’t […]
How religious trauma shows up at work
If you were raised in a restrictive religious environment, you might notice that your struggles with religious trauma haven’t remained confined to religious and spiritual aspects of your life. Trauma by its nature affects our whole being, both internally (in the way we think and relate to ourselves) and externally (in the way we relate […]
How to get out of going to church after religious trauma
If you’re working through your own religious trauma and deconstruction, you may be wondering how to get out of going to church (or other religious services) when family and friends might still be expecting you to attend. If you’re in the process of deconstructing your faith, you may not be ready to tell others where […]
What is religious deconstruction therapy and how does it help promote healing?
A phrase that has been growing in popularity in recent years is “religious deconstruction”. But what does that word mean, and what does it have to do with therapy? What is religious deconstruction? Religious deconstruction, also known as faith deconstruction, is a term used to describe the process of examining religious beliefs that you once […]
Why does religion make me angry?
A question I have heard more than once in my counseling practice is “why does religion make me angry?” Many people deconstructing from their religion find themselves experiencing waves of anger long after they leave a rigid religious environment. Why does religion make me angry? This is a broad question, because there are a lot […]
The surprising benefits of journaling about your feelings
If you are under stress or going through a difficult experience such as grieving a loss or managing a chronic illness, journaling about your thoughts and feelings may help you cope and could even improve your health! This article explores why this practice might be helpful and how you can get started.