Therapy for religious trauma
Specialized therapy in Washington, Colorado, and Illinois for women and femme humans navigating faith deconstruction, spiritual abuse, and religious grief.
Reclaiming Your Spirit and Yourself
If you are reading this, you may be in the midst of—or emerging from—a profound shift in your relationship with faith. Perhaps you’ve left a controlling congregation, realized that the doctrines you were raised with caused harm, or found yourself grieving the loss of a community that once felt like home.
You are not broken. You are healing.
Religious trauma is real. It affects how we view ourselves, our bodies, our relationships, and our place in the world. As a therapist specializing in religious trauma syndrome, I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for women and femme humans to unpack these heavy experiences, process complex grief, and rebuild a sense of self that belongs entirely to you.
Understanding Religious trauma
Religious trauma often stems from high-control environments, shame-based teachings, fear of punishment, or conditional love. It can manifest as:
Spiritual Abuse: Experiencing manipulation, coercion, or control under the guise of spiritual authority.
Faith Deconstruction: The painful but necessary process of dismantling old beliefs to make room for truth. This often brings up intense anxiety, guilt, and identity confusion.
Complex Grief: Mourning the loss of community, tradition, family connections, or the "certainty" that religion provided.
Internalized Shame: Struggling with feelings of unworthiness, sexual shame, or moral failure instilled by rigid dogma.
Whether you are questioning, have exited your faith, or are trying to reconcile your spirituality with your values, your experience is valid.
If you are wondering about how to deal with religious trauma, feel free to reach out for a free consultation to learn more.
My Approach: Deconstruct, Process, Repair
My work with women and femme clients focuses on three core pillars:
1. Deconstructing Harmful Narratives
We gently examine the beliefs that no longer serve you. Together, we identify where shame, fear, and control entered your worldview. We separate cultural conditioning from your authentic voice, helping you distinguish between inherited guilt and your own moral compass.
2. Processing Spiritual Grief
Leaving a belief system or realizing it was harmful can feel like a death. We honor that grief. Whether you’re mourning lost years, estranged family members, or a sense of belonging, we create space to feel those losses without judgment. Grief is not linear, and healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means integrating.
3. Repairing Relationships & Self-Connection
Religious trauma often fractures our connection to ourselves and others. We work to repair trust—starting with trust in your own intuition. For many, this also involves navigating difficult conversations with family or friends who remain within the faith. We develop strategies to set boundaries, communicate needs, and protect your peace while honoring your humanity.
If you are ready to feel confident in your spiritual identity and connected in your relationships, reach out for a free consultation. No pressure, just information - I look forward to connecting with you!
Hi, I’m Elizabeth! I am a religious trauma therapist, working with clients in Washington, Colorado and Illinois, who has been where you are. I grew up in a conservative religious community - family, school, church - my whole childhood and teen years a carefully constructed framework on how to live the “correct way”.
When I began to have doubts and conflict with what my community was saying and how it was acting, I decided I needed to explore what it meant to choose my own spiritual path.
Beginning the deconstruction process was painful, but also relieving. I could share stories that had been in my heart for years, but never felt allowed to share. My pain became seen. My protective parts could start to relax and make room for me to trust my own spirituality and live my preferred narrative, including centering values of my community while leaving behind that which was harmful or no longer served me.
I am honored to witness your story and walk beside you in your healing journey.
Why Specialized Care Matters
General therapy can be helpful, but specialized care for religious trauma ensures that the unique nuances of faith-based harm are understood. I recognize the specific language, dynamics, and psychological impacts of high-control religions. I do not judge your past choices, nor do I pressure you toward any particular outcome.
Your journey is yours alone. My role is to walk beside you with compassion, expertise, and steadfast support.
Healing from religious trauma is an act of courage. It takes strength to question, to grieve, and to choose yourself. If you’re ready to begin the work of reclaiming your narrative, I invite you to reach out.