RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPY IN RALEIGH
Helping you discover the sex and relationships the church didn't want you to have.
You weren't taught this. The shame, the silence, the rules about your body — none of it was yours to carry. We can help you put it down.
WHY YOU’RE HERE
American Christianity has been a double-edged sword for us, and many of the folks that we’ve supported.
On the one hand, it may have taught us valuable things — kindness, hospitality, compassion, the meaningfulness of family and relationship.
On the other hand, for many folks, Evangelical, Mormon, and Pentecostal communities created deep emotional and psychological distress. The sermons, books, podcasts, and products from these spaces sold propaganda, coercion, fear, and shame.
They taught us that we are inherently sinful.
They taught men that they have insatiable, uncontrollable desires for sexuality, power, and leadership.
They taught women to be subservient — that they don't have desires, that their function is to appease and support the men in their lives.
They eliminated the voices of queer and trans people. They targeted people of color as "people to evangelize to." They diminished the experiences of folks with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Most importantly, they taught us not to trust ourselves — and not to trust other people.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
When we say "religious trauma"
We're talking about the anxiety, depression, self-doubt, confusion, and difficulties with self-identity that developed in response to these communities and their messages.
The impact is unique to each person, but often includes:
Isolation, shame, and fear of judgment.
These communities taught you that you are inherently sinful, and that only one person, often a highly judgmental, controlling, and demanding authority, can save you.
Avoidance of sexuality and bodies.
The “sins” that American Christianity highlights the most revolve around sexual experiences outside of a heterosexual, monogamous marriage, leaving many people with no vocabulary for their own desires, only a vocabulary for shame.
Disconnection, confusion, and even a crisis of faith.
An important feature of these communities was “accountability” groups, or spaces where you confessed your “sins”. These groups often failed to provide the confidentiality and safety needed with emotional disclosure.
A lack of curiosity.
And an extreme distrust in information from communities that are not religious or conservative.
What healing from religious trauma involves
Healing is possible and it doesn't require you to leave behind everything you believed. Here's what that work looks like with us.
Unpacking the deep wounds
We'll provide a safe space to address complex emotions surrounding guilt, rejection, and fear of condemnation without judgment and without rushing.
Deconstruction
Exploring different ways of engaging social issues, communication, and sexuality. We call this unlearning and relearning "deconstruction," and it's some of the most meaningful work we do.
Rediscovering religion and spirituality on your terms
We'll discuss what role religion or spirituality might play for you going forward, and how to recognize and avoid the manipulation structures of the community you left.
Rebuilding a sense of self and purpose
We'll help you build a sense of self that is free from the burdens of guilt and shame, centered around trusting yourself and creating trustworthy relationships with others.
Navigating the significant changes to your current life
Healing from religious trauma rarely happens in isolation. It often affects your marriage, your relationship with your family, your friendships, your community. We'll help you navigate those changes without losing yourself in the process.
Religious trauma negatively impacts sexual health and relational health.
Learn more about how these three approaches to therapy can help:
How it works
What predicts success in healing
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1
Use the session to name what's not working and how you want things to be different.
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2
Create space outside of sessions to practice what you're working on.
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3
Notice what shifts and what still feels stuck — and bring it back.
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4
Use the next session to adjust— building on what's working, letting go of what isn't.
Goal-oriented, solution-focused
We'll start by naming short and long-term outcomes for your healing. Sessions are typically 50 or 80 minutes though a longer initial session sometimes makes sense.
At the end of each session, we'll offer ideas and experiments to try between sessions. The folks who make the most progress are the ones who bring back what they noticed.
As therapy evolves, we'll regularly talk about what's working — so we can do more of it.
Licensed in NC & MA — and beyond
We are licensed psychotherapists for residents of Massachusetts and North Carolina, offering in-person sessions in Raleigh and virtual sessions statewide.
We also offer sex and relationship coaching for couples and individuals nationwide who have experienced harm from an Evangelical, Mormon, or Pentecostal community.
Healing from religious harm is possible.
And it doesn't require you to leave behind everything you believed.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation and let's talk about where you are and where you want to go.