Religious Trauma Coaching

Healing from Spiritual Abuse and Institutional Harm

Religious trauma emerges from the intersection of spiritual authority with systems of control and oppression. Unlike individual spiritual struggles, religious trauma results from institutional practices that use sacred authority to enforce conformity, silence dissent, and maintain hierarchical power structures.

My approach to religious trauma recovery is grounded in both personal experience as a survivor of Roman Catholic abuse crisis and religious fundamentalism, and academic expertise in sociology of religion and organizational trauma. This work requires understanding how spiritual systems operate as social institutions while honoring the sacred dimensions of human experience.

Ready to address religious trauma through structural analysis and community-centered healing?
Contact me to discuss support for individuals, families, or faith communities.

Understanding Religious Trauma: Beyond Individual Pathology

Religious trauma isn’t caused by individual “bad actors” but by institutional systems that prioritize organizational preservation over human dignity. Recovery requires examining both personal healing and systemic transformation.

Institutional Analysis of Religious Harm

Religious trauma occurs through:

Authoritarian leadership structures that concentrate power and silence dissent
Shame-based theology that positions human nature as fundamentally corrupted
Social control mechanisms that use spiritual authority to enforce conformity
Economic exploitation that extracts resources while providing spiritual justification
Sexual and gender oppression enforced through theological interpretation

Connected analysis: High-Control Group Recovery and Workplace Misconduct & Ethics

Intersectional Dimensions of Religious Trauma

Religious harm is amplified by multiple identity factors:

LGBTQ+ individuals facing conversion efforts and spiritual rejection
Women and girls experiencing gender-based restrictions and abuse
Racial minorities within predominantly white religious institutions
Survivors of abuse encountering victim-blaming and institutional protection of perpetrators
Economically vulnerable community members experiencing spiritual manipulation

Intersectional approach detailed in: LGBTQ+ Issues & Inclusion and Conversion Therapy Recovery

Specialized Recovery Support

Individual Trauma Recovery Coaching

One-on-one support for survivors navigating the complex aftermath of religious trauma, including:

Identity reconstruction beyond religious conditioning
Relationship healing with family and community still within religious systems
Spiritual exploration for those seeking life-giving spiritual practices
Professional development for career transitions away from religious institutions

Coaching approach: Coaching Services with trauma specialization

Family System Healing

Supporting families divided by religious trauma in developing authentic relationships that move beyond spiritual coercion toward genuine care and respect.

Work includes:

Mediation between survivors and family members still in religious systems
Education for families about religious trauma and recovery needs
Boundary development that maintains relationships while ensuring safety
Community healing processes for extended family networks

Mediation services: Mediation & Conflict Resolution

Community and Institutional Response

Working with faith communities and religious institutions to develop accountability processes that address historical harm and prevent future trauma.

Organizational development: Faith-Based Consulting and HR Consulting & Organizational Development

Specific Religious Trauma Contexts

Conversion Therapy and SOGICE Recovery

Specialized support for survivors of religious-based sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, combining religious trauma expertise with LGBTQ+ affirmation.

Detailed approach: Conversion Therapy Recovery

Spiritual Abuse Recovery

Addressing direct abuse by religious leaders and institutional protection of abusive behavior, including:

Power abuse by clergy and religious authorities
Sexual abuse within religious contexts and institutional cover-up
Financial exploitation using spiritual manipulation
Emotional and psychological abuse disguised as spiritual guidance

Faith Deconstruction Support

Non-pathologizing support for individuals questioning or leaving religious beliefs, recognizing deconstruction as a healthy response to harmful religious systems.

Support includes:

Normalizing the deconstruction process as spiritual intelligence
Community connection with others in similar journeys
Resource development for exploring alternative spiritual or secular worldviews
Grief support for losses involved in leaving religious community

Religious Fundamentalism Recovery

Specialized support for survivors of high-control religious environments that used theological authority to enforce rigid behavioral codes and thought control.

Related expertise: High-Control Group Recovery

Clergy Abuse Recovery

Survivor-centered support for those harmed by religious leaders and institutional protection systems, including both direct abuse survivors and community members impacted by institutional betrayal.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Academic Research Contributions

My sociological research examines religious institutions as sites of power and control, contributing to academic understanding while centering survivor voices and community knowledge.

Research areas include:

Institutional analysis of religious authority and social control
Survivor experience studies using participatory research methods
Community healing approaches that honor diverse spiritual traditions
Organizational transformation models for religious institutions addressing historical harm

Research services: Research & Program Support

Trauma-Informed Religious Recovery

Recovery approaches grounded in:

Complex trauma understanding recognizing religious trauma’s systemic nature
Cultural and spiritual responsiveness that honors diverse religious backgrounds
Community-based healing models that connect survivors with supportive networks
Posttraumatic growth frameworks that recognize potential for meaning-making and resilience

Trauma foundation: Trauma-Informed Practices

Prevention and Community Education

Public Education and Awareness

Community education that builds understanding of religious trauma while promoting life-giving spiritual alternatives and institutional accountability.

Education includes:

Religious trauma recognition for healthcare and mental health providers
Community awareness about the difference between spiritual struggle and institutional trauma
Bystander intervention training for faith community members
Resource development for survivors and families

Educational services: Training & Professional Development

Professional Development for Faith Leaders

Training programs for clergy, religious educators, and faith community leaders on trauma-informed ministry and abuse prevention.

Training components:

Power dynamics awareness in religious leadership roles
Trauma-informed pastoral care that avoids retraumatization
Community accountability processes for addressing harm
Inclusive ministry practices that welcome diverse community members

Speaking services: Speaking & Communications

Institutional Transformation Support

Working with religious organizations committed to addressing historical harm and developing truly safe community practices.

Consulting approach: Faith-Based Consulting

Cultural and Intersectional Healing

Cultural Responsiveness in Recovery

Recognizing that religious trauma manifests differently across cultural, racial, and ethnic contexts, requiring culturally specific healing approaches that honor diverse spiritual traditions.

Gender-Based Religious Trauma

Specialized support for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and gender minorities who experienced gender-based oppression within religious systems.

Gender analysis: LGBTQ+ Issues & Inclusion and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Intergenerational Trauma Healing

Addressing multi-generational impacts of religious trauma within families and communities, supporting healing that acknowledges historical and ongoing harm.

Community Building and Survivor Leadership

Survivor Voice Amplification

Centering survivor expertise in all aspects of religious trauma response, including:

Research design that honors lived experience
Community education featuring survivor stories and analysis
Institutional accountability processes led by those most impacted
Resource development guided by survivor needs and priorities

Community Network Development

Supporting survivor communities in building mutual support networks that provide ongoing healing resources and collective advocacy power.

Advocacy and Systemic Change

Supporting survivor-led advocacy for policy changes that protect individuals from religious harm while preserving religious freedom for life-giving spiritual practices.

Spiritual Reconstruction and Meaning-Making

Post-Religious Spirituality Development

For survivors seeking spiritual connection outside traditional religious frameworks:

Exploration of alternative spiritual practices that honor personal autonomy
Nature-based and earth-centered spirituality that emphasizes connection rather than control
Secular meaning-making that finds purpose and transcendence without religious framework
Creative and embodied spiritual practices that honor the body and emotions

Progressive Faith Exploration

For survivors maintaining faith commitments while rejecting harmful religious practices:

Theological reconstruction that emphasizes love, justice, and liberation
Progressive religious community connection and development
Contemplative and mystical practices that bypass institutional control
Social justice spirituality that connects faith with advocacy for marginalized communities

Investment in Survivor-Centered Work

Religious trauma recovery support is provided through sliding scale pricing that prioritizes survivor accessibility while maintaining sustainable practice.

Individual Recovery Support

Trauma recovery coaching through partnership with trauma treatment centers
Family mediation for religious trauma-related family conflicts
Spiritual exploration support for developing life-giving practices
Professional transition coaching for leaving religious institutional employment

Community and Institutional Support

Faith community education and training programs
Institutional accountability consultation for religious organizations
Community healing facilitation for congregations addressing historical harm
Research collaboration with academic and community partners

Ready to Support Religious Trauma Recovery?

Whether you’re a survivor seeking healing, a family navigating religious differences, or a faith community working to address institutional harm, I offer evidence-based, survivor-centered approaches that honor both individual healing and community transformation.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your needs and goals.

Stay informed about religious trauma recovery resources through my Spotlight on Society newsletter:

Religious trauma recovery requires both personal healing and institutional accountability.
Let’s work together toward liberation →