Finding Help: Seeking Therapy for Religious Trauma
I have found that processing religious trauma is a loaded task. It feels exposing, your vulnerability meter is going off, and it can often feel isolating. Religious trauma is also super tough because it is a deeply personal and often complex experience that can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars. Whether you've experienced harmful teachings, manipulation, or discrimination within a religious context, seeking therapy can be a crucial step towards healing and recovery.
One of the tough things I also find is that folks feel like finding a therapist or support can be difficult. When you have all these specific terms and lingo tied to your trauma, you worry if a therapist can actually follow you. You may also feel worried that you have to provide a dissertation about your religious upbringing, and it can feel emotional laborious. However, finding a therapist who understands and specializes in religious trauma can also feel incredibly freeing, supportive and uplifting. In this blog, my hope is that I can provide you with some practical tips and resources to help you find the right therapist to support you on your healing journey.
Understanding Religious Trauma
Before delving into how to find a therapist, let's briefly break down what religious trauma entails. Religious trauma can result from a variety of experiences, including:
Authoritarian teachings: Strict and rigid beliefs enforced through fear and control
Spiritual abuse: Manipulative or coercive practices within religious communities
Loss of faith: Struggling with doubts or questioning one's beliefs, leading to feelings of guilt or shame
Rejection and ostracism: Being shunned or isolated by family or community due to changing beliefs or identities
These experiences can lead to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulty trusting others. Having worked with folks that have had several of the above symptoms opens up a bit of an existential “pandora’s box” in a way, and can feel both lonely and like you are untethered from what once felt safe. When church or a religious institution often felt like the only place where you had community, found referrals for where to get you car worked on, or even who prayed for you in times of loss/grief, it can feel like a great loss when you no longer have that type of support you once had.
I also want to validate that just because you grew up in a religious context does not necessarily mean that you have religious trauma. Looking at the above characteristics of religious trauma are key to building awareness and validating your experience through the lens of what religious trauma is. Additionally, seeking therapy by a licensed counselor that specializes in this work helps to provide a safe space to process these emotions and learn coping strategies on how to move forward.
Finding a Therapist
Ok, I think I know I am ready and need to see a therapist…now, where the heck do I find one?! Glad you asked! Below are some of my favorite resources and places to start if you’re stuck. Finding a therapist is a lot like dating, so ensure you vet each of the below options is the key to success with this process!
Seek Referrals: Reach out to trusted friends, family members, or community organizations for recommendations. They may know of therapists who specialize in religious trauma or have experience working with individuals from similar backgrounds.
Online Directories: Utilize online directories such as Psychology Today, TherapyDen, or Open Path Collective where you can filter therapists by specialty, including religious trauma or religious abuse. These platforms often provide detailed profiles, allowing you to learn more about a therapist's approach and expertise.
Professional Organizations: Explore organizations like Reclamation Collective and the Center for Trauma Resolution & Recovery. These organizations may have directories or resources to help you connect with therapists who understand the intersection of spirituality and mental health.
Interview Potential Therapists: Once you've identified a few potential therapists, I highly recommend scheduling initial consultations or phone calls to discuss your needs and ask questions. Be sure to ask about their experience working with religious trauma survivors, their therapeutic approach, and what you can expect from the therapy process.
Therapy Approaches
If you’re looking for certain approaches that therapists specialize in, it is often the most beneficial to find one that is trauma-informed and has some sort of training in a trauma treatment. There are many different types of trauma therapyTherapists who specialize in religious trauma may employ various therapeutic approaches, including:
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Focuses on creating a safe and supportive environment to process traumatic experiences and develop coping skills.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs associated with religious trauma.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR utilizes eye movements or bilateral stimulation to process past memories and utilize the brain and body’s natural ways of healing. It is a highly effective and evidence based approach to treating trauma and has been known to provide great success.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Internal Family Systems therapists view the self as parts and aid the client in understanding one’s relationship with themselves. With an IFS therapist, the goal is to befriend each of these parts and alleviate the burden from them to exist with more peace.
Existential Therapy: Explores questions of meaning, purpose, and identity, particularly relevant for individuals grappling with existential crises or loss of faith.
Resources and Support
In addition to individual therapy, consider seeking out support groups or online communities for religious trauma survivors. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide validation, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Remember, finding the right therapist often takes time and patience. Trust your gut and prioritize your safety, security and well-being. Healing from religious trauma is a journey, and therapy can be an incredibly valuable companion along the way.
Conclusion
Seeking therapy for religious trauma is one of the bravest steps you can take towards reclaiming your mental and emotional health. By actively seeking out a therapist who understands your unique experiences and needs, you're investing in your healing and overall well-being. Remember, you're truly not alone, and support is available. Click here if you would like to schedule a free 20 minute consultation call with me to see how I can best support you on your journey to processing religious trauma. I’m happy to answer any questions and get you scheduled for your first session.
Remember, if you're experiencing a crisis or immediate distress, don't hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional or crisis hotline for support. You deserve to be heard, seen, and supported on your journey towards healing.
Mindfully,
Sam Speed
