Leaving, Learning, & Living

Religion and spritual practice can be healthy and a source of comfort for many people, but for others, it can be traumatic. I specialize in helping individuals who have experienced trauma due to their involvement in high-demand, high-control religious groups. Many former members of these groups struggle with trauma-related difficulties even after leaving, such as hyper-vigilance, trust issues, decision-making challenges, nightmares, panic, OCD, claustrophobia, confusing boundaries, and difficulty being in groups. I am skilled at identifying whether a diagnosis, such as OCD, is true OCD, or is a result of hyper-scrupulosity or extreme vigilance rooted in learned behavior.

Leaving a spiritual community can be very challenging. It often involves significant losses, such as deep spiritual connections, a sense of community, belonging, a shared mission, and social relationships. This can lead to feelings of insecurity and increased vulnerability. Psychotherapy offers evidence-based interventions that can help improve coping abilities and alleviate related psychological challenges. A key aspect of this practice is providing psychoeducation to help clients understand their experiences, explore their identities, and find safe ways to connect with others.

While knowledge of this kind of trauma is increasing, the field is still sparsely populated with therapists who can understand the implications and difficulties of what it means to be a survivor of this kind of experience from the inside out. I know from experience that individuals can reclaim their lives, achieve successful self-development connections, and, if they wish, find balanced and healthy spiritual practice. I strive to provide a safe and understanding space for survivors of religious trauma to heal and move forward.