At times in our life, we may find ourselves reassessing our religious beliefs. This process may bring to light certain experiences we’ve had or beliefs we’ve held that we no longer agree with. Whatever you decide is best for you—staying in a religion, finding a new religion, leaving a religion, or something else entirely—is what’s best for you.
This process has likely shattered your entire identity & belief system into pieces. I’m here to pick up those pieces with you. I want to help you examine which pieces have hurt you & put back together the pieces that you see value in keeping. Through therapy, I will help you to cultivate your self-safety, increase your self-trust, & reclaim your self-authority.
Schedule a free consultation with me today if you’re ready to start therapy.
Religious trauma can occur when individuals experience a loss of faith, encounter conflicts with religious or spiritual beliefs, or have been the victim of abuse or manipulation within a religious setting. Religious trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including anxiety, depression, guilt, and shame, as well as struggles with self-worth, relationship issues, and difficulty trusting others. Traumatic events within religious communities can shake an individual's core beliefs and values, causing confusion, pain, and a loss of identity. Religious beliefs that may have once provided comfort and connection within a community can become triggers for anxiety, fear, and shame. Trust in religious authorities and institutions may be broken, leading to disconnection and ostracization from one's community.
A faith transition is a profound and often complex process that involves a shift in an individual's beliefs, values, and spiritual practices. It can be a challenging and emotional journey, marked by periods of doubt, questioning, and uncertainty. People may experience a faith transition for various reasons, including a change in life circumstances, exposure to new ideas, or a personal crisis. It may involve leaving a religion altogether, exploring different traditions, or redefining one's relationship with spirituality. While a faith transition can be a challenging experience, it can also lead to a deeper sense of personal growth, understanding, and connection with oneself and others.
I grew up a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I served a mission in New York City. I graduated from Brigham Young University. I worked for LDS Charities.
I know the connection that comes from having a therapist who shares aspects of your background and identity. I know the comfort that comes from having a foundation to work from, without having to explain cultural aspects or even terminology like “wards” or “general conference”.
I also know the importance of having an objective, safe space to process. A space that is entirely your own, where you can learn to listen to your gut and make decisions for yourself. For this reason, I focus my therapy style on your exploration and your own validation—especially since religious institutions can keep us from that very self-trust that is necessary to living a life that we have chosen for ourselves. I will never encourage clients to make a decision regarding their membership in a religion. I will never tell clients what to do. I will help clients learn how to listen to their intuition and settle into their authenticity. I will focus on letting clients claim their own authority in their lives and regain a sense of autonomy.
If you find yourself in a season of life where you are facing or assessing certain beliefs or experiences that no longer serve you, reach out to me to start therapy. I’m here to help you make sense of what has happened to you so that you can decide what you want to do about it.
Read my blog posts about religious trauma to learn more.