Religious Trauma

Therapist in Denver

Religion is complicated. It can be a source of comfort and help when the world around us doesn't make sense. Unfortunately, though, many teachings and actions by leaders within religious groups cause more harm than good. What do we do when those people of power harm us and break our trust? You may be wondering, "How do I heal and find solid ground again when everything inside feels like shifting sand?" "How do I deal with the self-hatred and shame that keeps creeping into my heart?" "How do I learn to trust and love again?" At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we understand the impacts of religious trauma and how to journey from shame to love, pain to joy.

  • In this article, we will cover topics that may trigger hard feelings or scary thoughts or memories. I want you to know, you're not alone. If you are having a mental health crisis or feel unsafe, please use crisis services by dialing 988 or texting "talk" to 38255. They will connect you with a mental health care person 24/7. If you're not in crisis, but this article reminds you of hard places you've been in your own life and you find yourself spiraling, please be gentle with yourself. Reach out to your support people for connection. If you want to know if therapy may be right for you, message us today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Understanding religious trauma

Religious trauma manifests when religious or spiritual experiences become harmful and oppressive. It can take many forms, such as spiritual abuse, adverse religious experiences, and church hurt. Victims of religious trauma may have experienced strict and harmful religious practices, such as severe physical punishments for minor mistakes, unattainable standards like in purity culture, forced participation in religious activities, or being made to feel guilty for their thoughts and actions. Others may have suffered from emotionally or physically abusive religious leaders or communities. The impact of religious trauma can be immense, with effects that include loss of faith, guilt, anxiety, depression, and an inability to form meaningful relationships with others. It is essential to acknowledge and address the reality of religious trauma and provide support to those who have experienced it.

Some common signs of religious trauma are:

  • Individuals who have experienced religious trauma may feel an overwhelming sense of guilt and shame for not living up to the expectations of their religion or religious community. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness and self-blame.

  • Religious trauma can also manifest in the form of fear and anxiety, often stemming from a fear of punishment or eternal damnation for not following religious rules or beliefs. This fear can be debilitating and impact daily life.

  • Those who have experienced religious trauma may struggle with a negative self-image, believing they are inherently flawed or sinful due to their inability to live up to their religion's expectations. This can lead to low self-esteem and self-destructive behaviors.

  • One common sign of religious trauma is difficulty questioning or critically examining one's religious beliefs. This can be due to fear of punishment or rejection from one's religious community, making it challenging to explore other perspectives or ideas.

  • Religious trauma can also result in social isolation as individuals may feel disconnected from their former religious community or struggle to find acceptance in new communities that do not share their beliefs. When you are feeling isolated, this further exacerbate feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

Spiritual abuse is complex and unique to each individual. That is why we focus our religious trauma therapy on the specific needs of each individual.

Why choose Rooted Acorn Counseling for religious trauma therapy?

  • At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we have specialized expertise in providing religious trauma therapy. Our trauma therapist, Lindsay Cade, has extensive trauma training and experience in working with individuals who have experienced trauma related to their religious beliefs or upbringing. Whether you are looking for purity culture recovery, want to clarify your values and beliefs, or need help getting unstuck and connected to yourself and others again we are here to support you on your healing journey!

  • We strive to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for our clients to explore their experiences with religious trauma. We recognize that this can be a sensitive and vulnerable topic, and we want you to feel comfortable sharing your story with us. Our therapists are compassionate, understanding, and respectful of all belief systems.

  • At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we create, in collaboration with our clients, a safe and supportive environment for addressing religious trauma. We are aware the creation and building of a safe space will be an individual process for each client. We understand ruptures may occur in this process establishing safety, and we are committed to repairing to reestablish and deepen trust to ensure clients have the safe and supportive therapeutic relationship needed. We also understand that discussing religious trauma can be difficult and triggering, which is why we prioritize creating a space where clients feel comfortable sharing their experiences without fear of judgment or shame. Whether you determine to move toward or away from religion or are questioning your faith, our therapists are here to listen, validate, and support you on your journey towards healing from religious trauma.

Meet our Denver religious trauma therapist

Lindsay Cade, MA, LPC

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Lindsay has unique experience supporting people healing from religious trauma with Christian, Muslim, and Jewish backgrounds. She is currently offering online services and limited, in-person appointments.

FAQs about therapy for religious trauma

  • Religious trauma describes a type of traumatic event(s) and is not a diagnoses like PTSD. Some folks who have experienced religious trauma can develop symptoms of PTSD such as flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, depressed and critical thoughts of self, chronic pain, suicidal thoughts, and others.

  • When you have been hurt by your religious community or religious family members, it can be very helpful to have a safe, unbiased space, like therapy, to heal and work through those experiences. Some religious groups have their own therapy or counseling services. These, however, can often times feel too close or not private enough to do the honest, real work of healing needed after religious trauma.

    Some ways therapy can help heal from religious trauma include:

    • Healing from emotional and psychological wounds: Therapy can provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to process and heal from any emotional or psychological wounds caused by religious trauma. This can include addressing feelings of guilt, shame, fear, or anger related to their experiences.

    • Rebuilding one's relationship with religion: For some individuals, therapy can help them navigate their relationship with religion in a healthier and more positive way. This may involve exploring new beliefs or practices that align better with their personal values and needs.

    • Developing coping strategies: Therapy can also assist in developing healthy coping strategies to manage triggers or difficult emotions related to religious trauma. This can include learning mindfulness techniques, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care.

    • Relearn nervous system regulation: The memories, messages, and impacts of spiritual abuse and church hurt impact the nervous system. Therapy helps you learn the signs and symptoms of nervous system activation and dysregulation in order to support you with learning new coping skills to regulate the nervous system.

    • Improving overall well-being: Addressing religious trauma through therapy can have a positive impact on an individual's overall well-being. By working through past traumas and developing healthier ways of thinking and behaving, individuals may experience improved mental health, begin to feel connected in their relationships, and increased overall quality of life.

  • If you are concerned therapy might go against your religious beliefs, we would love to talk with you about this and answer any questions you have about what to expect. We provide a confidential environment for you to share and work through your thoughts and feelings. We honor your autonomy to determine what makes most sense for you in your life and support you whether you want nothing to do with your religion or are longing to move closer, to clarify your beliefs.

    At times, you can expect your therapists to ask questions about your religious practices and beliefs, not for the purpose of accountability or enforcing a practice, but to understand what you find to be helpful or not helpful in your daily life. Your spiritual health is important to us and we want to understand what brings you comfort and joy, what nourishes your spirit.

    We strive to collaborate with you to focus on what is most important and helpful for you. This may include co-creating a closing ritual for sessions or making space for you to share about your intentional, meaningful practices during the week.

Discover your unique path to healing.

Religion is complex. We understand this and are committed to providing a non-judgemental space for you to process and heal from religious trauma. You don't have to do it alone. Our online services and in-person individual therapy is here to support you! Reach out to us today to schedule your free initial consultation!