This post is the second in a 2-part series – read part 1 here. Trauma occurs when something happens too fast, too soon, or is too much for an individual’s nervous system, and the person is unable to return to a sense of safety and support following the experience. Religious trauma is trauma that has […]
Hurricane Helene & Religious Trauma Read More »
Western North Carolina experienced flooding of unimaginable proportions from Hurricane Helene at the end of September 2024. This is an area of the state that was never supposed to deal with hurricane-related natural disasters. Yet, many folks are still without power and water 3 weeks out from the disaster. Some have been told they may
Natural Disasters, Mental Health, & Religious Trauma Read More »
I was recently invited to be a guest on the You Need a Counselor Podcast. This podcast is the work of Heart and Solutions, located in Iowa, and is designed for folks who are curious about counseling but may have barriers that prevent them from experiencing the benefits of working with a counselor. In my
FEATURED: You Need a Counselor Podcast Read More »
Religious harm – injury that has a root in religious systems, beliefs, or practices – can take many forms. Some folks experience physical or sexual harm that is perpetrated by religious leaders or defended by religious beliefs. For some, the harm takes the form of spiritual abuse where words or actions are utilized in a
What’s Gender Got To Do With It? (Religious Trauma Edition) Read More »
Grief is the response you have to the loss of something or someone important to you. Grief may include intense emotional pain, a sense of anguish, questioning, rage, and any variety of other responses too numerous to list. Sometimes grief is expected – perhaps at the death of an elderly family member. Sometimes grief comes
The Complexity of Grief Read More »
April is Autism Awareness Month, or Autism Acceptance Month. Maybe a bit of both? Both mental health professionals and society as a whole are becoming more aware of autism. More aware of the many ways that autistic folks may show up in the world. More aware of what autism is like for the person experiencing
Autism Awareness Month Read More »
Is proclaiming the title “queen” in relation to your work with folks healing from religious trauma a reenactment of the same toxic power dynamics that lead to harm in high-control religion? I was scrolling through Instagram a few days ago, as one does, and came across a story that had been shared by some podcast
The “Queen” of Healing from High-Control Religion? Read More »
Religious spaces, such as churches and parachurch organizations, have differing views on the topic of mental health. I originally posted on this topic in April of 2023 – you can read that post here – and believe it continues to be important in 2024. In some religious or faith-based spaces, mental health is a taboo
Religious Leaders and Mental Health Read More »
Have you ever felt a sense of guilt after participating in an action? You may have questioned how you even ended up in the situation that led to you acting in a certain way. Or you may experience anger related to the action(s) you took, and being asked/expected to take those actions at all. This
What is Moral Injury? Read More »
I was recently invited to chat with Kari Fillian, host of the Your Friend the Therapist Podcast, about my work with religious trauma and body image concerns. Season 2 of the podcast is focusing on topics surrounding harm within religious settings and systems, including the variety of impacts this harm can have and the ways
FEATURED: Podcast Guest – Diet Culture, Purity Culture, & Disconnection from Our Bodies Read More »
