Healing From Religious Trauma
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Religious trauma can cause a deep and lasting impact that religious trauma can have on your sense of self, relationships, and overall well-being. Religious trauma can stem from experiences of shame, control, exclusion, or harm within religious or spiritual contexts. Therapy for religious trauma is designed to support you in unpacking these experiences, reclaiming your identity, and creating a path toward healing that honors your unique journey.
Understanding Religious Trauma Religious trauma often arises from rigid or harmful belief systems, spiritual abuse, exclusion based on identity, or authoritarian control within religious communities. For LGBTQIA+ individuals, this trauma is frequently compounded by rejection, condemnation, or attempts to change or suppress your identity. These experiences can leave deep wounds, making it difficult to trust yourself, connect with others, or engage with spirituality in a way that feels safe. |
“Trauma is also a wordless story our body tells itself about what is safe and what is a threat.”
―Resmaa Menakem |
My Therapeutic Approach
I offer a compassionate, nonjudgmental space to explore the effects of religious trauma and reconnect with your authentic self. My approach is tailored to meet you where you are, using a blend of therapeutic modalities:
Relational and Collaborative Therapy: Healing from religious trauma often involves rebuilding trust in relationships, including the one you have with yourself. Together, we’ll explore how your past experiences have shaped your beliefs, behaviors, and feelings, creating space to rewrite the narratives that no longer serve you.
Somatic Therapy: Trauma is not just intellectual; it’s embodied. I use somatic approaches to help you release the physical tension and stress that religious trauma may have left in your body. This work supports you in feeling more grounded, safe, and connected to yourself.
Depth Psychology: Religious trauma often impacts core beliefs about worth, identity, and purpose. By exploring the unconscious layers of your experiences, we can identify and transform deeply held beliefs that no longer align with your values or truth.
Creating a Safe and Affirming Space
I am committed to providing a therapeutic environment where you feel safe, validated, and free to explore the impacts of religious trauma without fear of judgment. I recognize the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in navigating faith, spirituality, and identity, and I approach this work with humility and care.
Taking the Next Step
Healing from religious trauma is a courageous and deeply personal journey. Whether you’re seeking to redefine your relationship with spirituality, reclaim your sense of self, or simply find peace, I’m here to walk alongside you.
Offering in person therapy in Berkeley, CA and virtual / telehealth therapy to residents of California.
