Knowledge and awareness is limited. Of all times! No. We got you. Want to learn more about Religious Trauma but don't need the certification? Upon completion of the course you will receive an official GCRR certificate of completion for 32+ hours that you can submit to apply for CEUs (please note: the exact number of qualified CEUs that will be granted is variable and cannot be guaranteed, this depends on your agency's requirements). Grief Beyond Belief ~ This self-describedfaith-free support network is just that: a safe place for those grieving the loss of a loved one to turn to for comfort from those who won't tell them everything happens for a reason. We have tried to make finding help simple and straightforward. The Spiritual Awakening Process eBook: Discover profound insights and practices that will help you to access deep levels of love and freedom. Book a sessionwith her over phone or Skype, or visit heroffice in Oakland, CA. We recognized the need to provide mental health professionals, as well as religious leaders and victims themselves, with scientifically-derived, factual data in order to begin work on understanding and then treating Religious Trauma. As a religious trauma therapist, I don't actually work with a lot of clients who experienced religious trauma in a fringe, obscure cult. If sex is bad, and wanting to have sex with someone with the same gender is bad, which the bible calls an abomination, how could someone who is gay not internalize that? Its also critical to work with a therapist who can differentiate religious/spiritual abuse from the life affirming drive to explore ones connection to Spirit. - Sheri Heller, I think it is best to have an initial consultation with any therapist you are thinking about working with because there is so much that goes into what will make someone a good fit for you. They are not broken, they are responding instinctively out of an innate survival mechanism. Heres a small sample of some of the topics covered within the course >>>>, How Religious Trauma Affects The Nervous System and Body by Elizabeth Wilson, LPC, LAC (Clinical Trauma Specialist), A Twisting of the Sacred by Paula Swindle (PhD, LCMHCS, Specialist in Religious Abuse and Harmful Theology) and Craig Cashwell (PhD, Professor, School of Psychology and Counselor Education at William & Mary), Power and Control Dynamics of Growing Up In An Abrahamic Faith Environment by Gill Harvey, DPsych (Therapeutic Counselor and Researcher), Religious Abuse and the Trauma of Perceived Spiritual Failure by Janyne McConnaughey, PhD (Nationally Recognized Trauma-Informed Author and Advocate), Faith, Doubt, and Gatekeeper Trauma by Brian D. McLaren, MA (Author, Activist and Public Theologian), Bereavement and Bad Theology by Teri Daniel, DMin, CT, CCTP (Inter-spiritual Hospice Chaplain, Grief Counselor and Adjunct Instructor), Religious Shame, Self-Criticism, and Mitigating Effects of Self-Compassion by Mark Karris, LMFT, PsyD (Adjunct Professor; Licensed Therapist), The Effectiveness of Using EMDR in Trauma Treatment by Arielle Sokoll Ward, VCSW (EMDR Trauma Therapist), Entheogenic Therapies for Religious Trauma and Disaffiliation: A Phenomenological Argument by Kelby Bibler (Grad Student, Boston College), Gay the Pray Away by Rev. Original music by . Their secular grief library is full of heartfeltstories from other nonbelievers. I always regarded my faith as very positive - I felt loved, secure and safe. I see it in others. Therapist Hermeisha Hopson offers a clinically informed, scripturally sound approach to treating #MeToo victims and other survivors. Its a long story, but the jist of what happened is this: I was made to believe that I could be saved if I committed fully and solely to an eastern spiritual practice and give up everything I had known before. Most trauma therapists will need to acquire a bachelor degree minimum to work in the field, with specialization courses in psychology and related fields. Another client leaves a session and questions circle your mind like: What can I do to bring some relief to their suffering? I also spoke with therapist Sheri Heller who specializes in treating complex trauma, addictive disorders, survivors of narcissistic abuse in addition to religious and spiritual trauma. There are mental health professionals with experience treating these unique symptoms of religious trauma andReligious Trauma Syndrome. If the teachings themselves dont align with what feels right for you, then ascribe to what does afford you meaning. A few years ago, I interviewed Teresa Mateus. My specialty lies at the intersection of religious trauma and family of origin trauma. Amid the Great Resignation, there has been an increase in workers leaving unfulfilling, underpaid jobs. Without being fully conscious of it, I am mourning the loss of what was. How can I show this person understanding and compassion and safety? Tangible Healing and Freedom from Religious Trauma. While this process can be done with someone in your life whom you feel close with, oftentimes therapy is the only place people feel comfortable enough to talk through the difficult thoughts and emotions surrounding their sexuality. - Estee Hirsch, I think a lot of it is about education, and learning that desires are normal. Free Hearts, Free Minds ~ If you have a Muslim background, you face the additional dangers of apostacy when you question or leave your religion. Below are some symptoms commonly experienced by people suffering from Religious Trauma Syndrome. Therapists, like others, expect that if you stop believing, you just quit going to church, putting it in the same category as not believing in Santa Claus Therapists often dont understand fundamentalism, and they even recommend spiritual practices as part of therapy.". Seek Support Through Therapy 8. The Secular Therapy Project ~ Find a therapist without a spiritual agenda. Maybe youre terrified of going to a hell youre not even sure exists. Enjoy a self-paced, on-demand interactive learning environment that works with your busy schedule. Last week, that deal fell apart. You can also search Resources by Belief System.. If they are unable to abide by your conditions then you may need to explore limited contact. - Sheri Heller, Resentment one feels towards others often stems from a wish to change the other. There are mental health professionals with experience treating these unique symptoms of religious trauma and. As an international organization, our membership consists of people from all over the world who seek the intellectual freedom to question and explore every aspect of religion itself, including its origins and manifestations. Christian counseling is a broad category of emotional and relationship support that draws on the principles of Christianity to help clients cope with challenges. This shame and guilt must be processed in a safe and non-judgmental environment before any internal feelings can shift. It grew out of a research team led by psychiatrist Sandra L. Bloom. You might be grieving someone you dont believe in anymore. Divorcing Religion ~ Janice Selbie, a former fundamentalist, attained a Diploma of Applied Psychology and Counseling so she could help others cope with the losses and challenges of religious de-conversion. Psychologist Sarah Gundle describes how Sinad O'Connor's music and her example helped Gundle's patients to tell their stories of sexual trauma and how O'Connor's bravery, candor and . Find or start a meeting near you,or find an online support group (includes secular groups for eating disorders and more). 1. Uncovering patterns from your past and how they may be converging with present circumstances will lend itself to mapping out a cohesive narrative. Click here to access the library for $49 >>. That being said, for many of my patients who come from religious backgrounds the inability to climax stems from a deep feeling of guilt and shame that has been internalized through the values placed on them during their upbringing. - Estee Hirsch, Religion unto itself is not sexually repressive. Theyre not unworthy, theyre beautifully human and are just trapped in a trauma cycle that rests deep in the synapses of their nervous system. SOS wants to fix that. If you need immediate emergency assistance, please call 9-1-1. Slowly but surely, mental health professionals are becoming more familiar with spiritual abuse, religious trauma, andReligious Trauma Syndrome. There is so much shame and guilt surrounding sex, not only in religion but also in our society. Many of my patients talk about the pain and suffering they experience, or have experienced, as a result of living a secret life, feeling they could not be honest about who they are with the people closest to them. - Estee Hirsch, What matters is finding a therapist who can assist with teasing out the traumatic religious indoctrination from what resonates for you spiritually. Shame is related to self-esteem, so if I feel that I am bad because I desire sex, then that tells me there is something in me that is in need of fixing. - Shimmy Feintuch, For many religious people faith and spirituality is the foundational bedrock of their lives. ~ Find a therapist without a spiritual agenda. Oops! That can come from something horrific happening, but it can also come from anything that impacts someones ability to feel safe or secure. Spiritual abuse: This occurs when a religious leader (s) or religious system tries to control, manipulate, and degrade you. It suggests we can bypass human suffering and human fallibility and latch onto sacred bliss and fantasies of unlimited abundance. She is one of the co-founders of the Religious Trauma Institute and also helps people get out of abusive or domestically violent relationships. You feel ashamed for questioning the word of God or your religious leaders. Resources listed do not imply affiliation. embodies this online community of caring non-believers. The trauma has religious implications: The effects of the trauma are processed through the lens of a person's religion. Get Connected to Healthy Supports & Community 4. Want to connect with others rebuilding their lives afterleaving faith and harmful ideology? CBT allows us to explore deep-seated negative core beliefs, learn how to identify them, and provide . Recognize it. Edited by Michael Benoist. In most religious schools there is almost no sex education. Were you excessively preoccupied with sin and morality? He went on to attain a doctorate in psychology and founded a therapy practice with an emphasis on religious recovery, providing specialized support for ex-members of high control religious groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, among others. I'm grateful for the talks with family and friends, but it's bittersweet.
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