You’ve never fought in the crusades, answered to the Inquisition or been burned to death for science or magic. Such religious trauma may largely be a thing of the past in the western world but I know many of you reading this have had your hem line measured by a man five or more times your age, have been told that you and mortal life are inconsequential or threatened with the incalculable pain of endless torture. The zeal of fundamentalism and the confusion of incongruent half-truths has left millions of us with doubts, pain or a lingering fear of loud bells or high ceilings. Whether you’ve just left the fold or have been harboring feelings of anger and abandonment for years, there is relief.
As a therapist my own journey away from fundamentalist religion drew me to work with those judged for who or how they love. In the process I found myself right back where I started- bearing witness to the pain of religious trauma. Not everyone who encounters or even leaves the fellowship of fundamentalism will experience trauma. Not everyone who experiences traumatic events or relationships will walk away hurt or hurting. But millions of people who put their religious past behind them experience every day feelings of betrayal, anger and alienation, something we can work to heal, together.
If you’ve experienced lingering fears of eternal damnation, anxious doubts about your place in the universe, traumatic memories of shame and guilt or the pain of isolation and disconnection from the love and joy of a life in and of this world, consider what you would give, what you might be willing to do, to experience love, joy, and peace here now, in this life. A weekly therapy group, held by a professional counselor and filled with former believers just like you, may be the step towards healing you’ve been waiting for.
This fall I’m offering a 12 week process group exploring healing from religious trauma through Marlene Winell’s Leaving the Fold. Each week we’ll share our stories and ourselves as we work to reconnect with the world around us, heal the frightened Sunday Schooler within us and find again a perfect plan for our lives. Join us in re-finding ourselves by emailing Christy@ValenceCounseling.com for a complimentary consultation.
*UPDATE* $35 cost is a suggested donation only, group attendance is complimentary
