Having a spiritual or religious practice can be a deep and nourishing source of meaning, support, and community. And, many who are part of a faith community may experience trauma or distressing moments as members of these communities—especially those who are members of high-control groups and communities.
What Is Religious Trauma
Religious trauma refers to the psychological and emotional distress that can result from harmful or distressing experiences within a religious context or community.
These experiences might include rigid doctrines, emotional abuse, discrimination, or feelings of guilt and shame associated with religious beliefs—or from questioning these beliefs. It's important to emphasize that when talking about religious trauma is about religious faith itself recognizing the adverse impact that certain religious practices or environments may have on an individual's mental and emotional well-being.
This trauma can manifest in various ways, such as anxiety, depression, or a sense of confusion about one's beliefs. Healing often involves therapy, support groups, or personal introspection to navigate the emotional aftermath and find a path to recovery and personal growth.
What Is a “High-Control” Religious Group?
To put it simply, a high-control religious group is a term used to describe a religious or spiritual organization characterized by a set of beliefs and practices in order to hold significant influence and control over its members.
These practices include closely following a charismatic leader or person in a position of power over other members as well as specific to spiritual teachings and doctrines, without room for discussion, question, or doubt. These groups may also try to isolate members from and discourage engagement with the outside “secular” world, friends, or family members, except for the purpose of converting those people.
High-control religious groups can involve intense rituals, stringent behavioral rules, and a strong sense of exclusivity, making it challenging for individuals to leave or critically assess their involvement. While not all religious groups with strong beliefs fall into this category, high-control groups are often associated with manipulation, coercion, and the potential for harm to their members' well-being.
Common Symptoms Signals of Spiritual Abuse
While every individual can experience a variety of symptoms after experiencing religious trauma or spiritual abuse, the following are common indicators that these experiences have had a significant psychological impact:
Low self-esteem and feelings of shame
Confusion about personal beliefs and opinions
Fear of trusting authority figures, leadership, or religious communities
Challenges with relational connection and intimacy
Social anxiety or isolation
Anxiety and/or panic attacks
Expulsion from religious groups and community
Negative self-image associated with religious teachings related to purity and sexuality
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks related to traumatic religious experiences
And in some cases, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)
How Therapy Can Help with Spiritual Abuse
1. Gaining knowledge about healthy boundaries, critical thinking, and personal autonomy.
2. A safe place to reflect and process religious trauma experiences
3. Support for reevaluating and redefining personal beliefs and values.
4. Learning coping strategies and techniques for emotional regulation
5. Creating a toolkit of self-care practices that promote relaxation and stress reduction. Such as EMDR, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness techniques.
6. Building a Supportive Network of supportive friends and connections who respect personal beliefs and provide a safe space for expression.
7. And for some, exploration of spirituality or affirming and accepting spiritual communities
FAQ’s About Therapy for Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse
Q: What should I look for in a therapist if I want to process my religious trauma or spiritual abuse?
A: This may look different for some, but generally, it can be helpful to work with a therapist with either lived experience related to religious trauma or spiritual abuse—or someone with significant knowledge about how these groups generally work and the psychological impact this can have.
Q: What if I want to hold on to my faith, religion, or spiritual practice, but do want to address some traumatic experiences or aspects of my experiences within a faith group that have caused pain or distress?
A: This process is meant to be tailored to you and honoring your experiences and beliefs. The goal is to create a space for processing, and healing of these impactful experiences so you can engage with your spirituality in a way that feels supportive and allows you to maintain your full identity, autonomy, health, and well-being. For some, this includes deconstructing their beliefs and unpacking their experiences in order to participate in a faith community or rebuild a new spiritual practice. For others, this can include taking time apart from these communities for the short or long term.
Q: What are some tools you use to support clients in processing their experiences in high-control groups?
A: This all depends on the individual’s needs and goals for therapy. However, I integrate a relational and trauma-informed approach to work with each client and collaborate with them to set a plan in place for processing and treatment of their distress and symptoms that may be related to their religious trauma. I also offer Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy which is an evidence-based modality for treating trauma. You can read more about EMDR here. I also have a blog post specifically about how EMDR can be helpful for working through religious trauma experiences.
Work with A Religious Trauma Therapist in Portland, Oregon
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about religious trauma therapy in Portland, Oregon, and Washington State and to determine if working together is the best way forward for you. Schedule that consultation HERE or submit a general inquiry form.