Religion is meant to be a source of comfort, purpose, and community. But for some, the experience is one of fear, shame, and control. If your relationship with a faith community has left you feeling wounded, confused, or broken, please know: your pain is real, and you are not alone.

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Religious trauma is the psychological and emotional damage caused by harmful religious experiences, teachings, or high-control communities. It can leave you feeling isolated and questioning everything you thought you knew. At Journey Counseling Center, we provide a safe, non-judgmental space to unpack these experiences and begin to heal.

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Religious trauma can take many forms

The first step in healing is often having your experience validated. Our trauma-informed therapists recognize the unique pain that spiritual wounds can cause. We have helped clients who have experienced:

• Spiritual Abuse: The use of scripture or spiritual authority to manipulate, control, dominate, or shame you.

• Fear-Based Teachings: A heavy focus on hell, damnation, sin, and divine punishment, leading to chronic anxiety and a fear of being "unlovable."

• Purity Culture Trauma: Intense feelings of shame, guilt, and anxiety around sexuality, your body, and your thoughts, often leading to sexual dysfunction and low self-worth.

• Exclusion and Shunning: Being cast out or ostracized by your community for questioning beliefs, changing your faith, or for your identity (such as being LGBTQ+).
   

If any of these experiences resonate with you, therapy can help you process the pain and reclaim your life.

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Your path to healing is uniquely yours

There is no "right way" to heal from religious trauma, and your journey belongs to you. We honor and respect the unique path each person must walk. That’s why we offer options.

• Some clients want to process their trauma and separate from religion entirely, finding a new foundation for their values and identity.

• Other clients want to reclaim their spirituality, deconstructing harmful beliefs to build a healthier, more authentic faith that feels right to them.

To support your individual journey, we have trauma-informed therapists who are both faith-based and not faith-based. We will match you with a therapist who can best support the path you choose, ensuring you feel safe and respected every step of the way.​​

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Healing from religious trauma is possible. We can help.