What are the basic details of the Wounded By Faith group?

Each group takes place over 8 weeks.  Each group session is 90 minutes long.  The cost is $50 per session, paid the day of the session.  Each group will have a maximum of 6 participants.  The next round of this group is planned to begin in March 2025 – specifics TBA.

Due to current professional licensing laws related to my practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, this virtual therapy group is only open to folks (18+) located in North Carolina at the time of the sessions.  If you are interested in being informed should a future group be open to those outside of NC, please complete this contact form to let me know.  

I’m interested.  What is the registration process?

You can start the process by completing the interest form for the Wounded By Faith group.  Michelle, the group facilitator, will then follow up with you via email to schedule a FREE, 20-minute video consultation chat.  This consultation is an opportunity to ensure this type of group is a good fit for you, and to answer any questions you may have.  If both you and Michelle feel this group is a good fit, you will complete some paperwork to reserve your spot in the agreed upon group.

Are these groups open to all genders? How do I know which group is right for me?

Gender roles and expectations are frequently present within high-control religious contexts.  For many, a rigid view of male and female are a part of their wounding within a faith-based space.  The specifics of the experience, as well as the impacts, can look different depending on whether a person was viewed and treated as male or female in their religious contexts.  You can read more about gender and religious harm here.

Wounded By Faith virtual groups are open to folks of all gender expressions and/or identities .  The specific makeup of a particular group may vary depending on need, and will be discussed with participants beforehand.  If you have questions about what might be the best fit for you, we can discuss that during a free pre-group video consultation. 

What can I expect from this kind of group?

Wounded By Faith is designed to be a healing space for those who have been harmed within a religious belief system.  Here are a few things you can expect within the group:

• Consent-based Discussions and Activities – all participants get to choose how they participate in the group.  No one will pressure you to participate in a particular way.  
• Opportunities to learn, share, and discuss with others who have experienced religious trauma, spiritual abuse, or harm within a religious belief system.
• Respect for Your Journey – Each participant in the group has their own experience of religious or spiritual harm, as well as their own individual healing journey.  Regardless of where you currently find yourself on that path, your journey and personal choices will be respected within the group.
• No Proselytizing or Pushing Toward a Certain Outcome

The harm experienced within a faith system often happens in the context of relationships.  These groups are designed to offer an opportunity to explore forming a different kind of relationship within the safety of a therapeutic space.  

How do I know if one of these groups is right for me?

Any person who has been harmed within a faith-based context is welcome in a Wounded By Faith group.  These groups are generally offered 1-2 times per year, and each round of a group may be geared toward particular commonalities among participants.  

Some folks may resonate with terms such as “religious trauma” or “spiritual abuse.”  Others may describe their experience as something being “off”in their belief system or faith community.  Some individuals may be survivors of abuse in a more broad sense, yet with a connection to their religious / spiritual background.  Still others may have had a specific, or multiple, experiences that have led them to question the religious structure they’ve known.  

Wounded By Faith groups are open to those who find themselves navigating how to remain a part of a religious group, to those who are yearning for a new spiritual experience, and to those who have no interest in a spiritual practice at this time.  Michelle, the group facilitator, believes that you are in the best position to determine what’s right for you, and this group is meant to be a support in your journey.  

If these descriptions resonate with you, and you’re an adult (18+) who is located in NC, a Wounded By Faith group may be for you.  Fill out this interest form to get the registration process started – spaces are limited!  

What kind of topics will be covered in the group?

The list below is a general guideline of topics that are commonly covered in Wounded By Faith groups.  Each round of the group also provides an opportunity for the participants to identify what topics would be most beneficial for them at that time.  

General topics covered include:

• Building language to understand your experience
• Understanding how stress and trauma impact your brain / body
• Opportunities to share your story in a supportive space (if you so choose)
• Grieving what’s been lost
• Boundaries and safety
• Personal identity and values
• Your journey forward

The amount of time spent on each topic, as well as the inclusion of other topics, will be guided by the needs and desires of the group participants.  

What is the cost to participate in a Wounded By Faith group?

Wounded By Faith groups require a pre-group video consultation, which is FREE.  There will be 8 weekly sessions, each 90 minutes long, at a cost of $50 per session.  

I’m still not sure.  I’ve got some more questions…

You can contact Michelle, the group facilitator, via this contact form.  

If you are already working with Michelle individually, feel free to discuss your questions the next time you meet with her.