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Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse Counselling
Spirituality and religion can positively affect multiple aspects of well-being, including mental health and can be a big part of healing from different kinds of trauma. At the same time, when spirituality or religion is used to justify emotional or psychological abuse, it affects not only one’s spirituality but core aspects of the personality.
I understand how complex these situations are and that, for the most part, they are "nicely looking," which makes them hard to identify and address the painful overreach. It would make sense if you're feeling a combination of anger, guilt, confusion, and sadness as you reflect on these experiences.
If your religious or spiritual history connects with your current distress, you’re welcome to a non-judgemental relational space where you can feel your way through your belief system and faith journey without imposing agendas, as well as process interpersonal trauma and engage in self-discovery and expression.
My Approach to Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma
I’m a trauma-informed counsellor with a clinical understanding of the internal and external conflicts arising from interpersonal abuse in the context of spirituality and religion. I have a Christian background and can engage in common language, as well as provide a neutral and nurturing space to find understanding and healing.
It might be helpful to know that I'm not a religious deconstruction coach, neither a Christian Counsellor, or a Spiritual Director. I do not bring theological foundations or prayer into my practice, nor do I focus on replacing or instilling new beliefs.
As a licensed mental health professional, I can facilitate reflective practices to help you explore and reframe beliefs and tap into what you sense to be true and life-giving. My hope is that you can live from a place of congruence regardless of where you are on your journey or where you're heading.Â
In this therapeutic process, one can encounter cognitive and emotional shifts with consequential transformation, but these changes are internally derived and based on personal insight.Â
Learn more about my approach HERE
What is Spiritual Abuse?
Spiritual Abuse is a misuse of power in a spiritual context aimed to produce conformity while undermining an individual sense of safety and autonomy.
Spiritual abuse can lead to Religious Trauma, which is a stress response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures experienced as overwhelming or disruptive (Adapted from the Religious Trauma Institute).