Houston Trauma Therapy

Will Therapy Interfere With My Current Religious Practices?

Religious Trauma Therapy is not against anyones belief's in God or religion. We are not anti-religious. At no point will the therapist try to convert you or change your beliefs. Our purpose is to address the attachment traumas and physiological disorders frequently created by dogma centering around shame, manipulation, fear and a mistrust of one's own emotions, instinct and intuitions. Religious beliefs in a healthy context create a sense of belonging, community, peace and purpose. If you are reading this page, there's a good chance this was not your religious experience. Our goal is to do more than give you coping mechanisms for ongoing anxiety, depression, panic attacks, identity crisis and the plethora of disorders created when trust is abused by spiritual leaders and caregivers. We address religious trauma, which is a form of attachment trauma, by addressing the neurological pathways paved in the brain at the time of trauma. Since it is a neurological problem, cognitive behavior and talk therapy often amplify the problem by retriggering painful memories without a new way for the nervous system to handle or integrate it. Common trauma survivor skills are disassociation, bodily harm, emotional vacancy, lethargy or an high, intensity work ethic, risky behaviors, abusive relationships, etc. There's no reason to be ashamed of how you handled things in the past. If how you have gotten through life this far is no longer working for you, then it's time to do something different. Recovery is possible. Let's retrain the nervous system.

Symptoms of Religious Trauma

Emotional

Depression, anxiety, anger, grief, loneliness, difficulty with pleasure, loss of meaning, panic attacks and nightmares.

Cognitive

Emotional

Confusion, poor critical thinking ability, negative beliefs about self-ability & self-worth, black & white thinking, perfectionism, difficulty with decision-making.

Social

Cultural

Loss of social network, family rupture, social awkwardness, sexual difficulty, behind schedule on developmental tasks.

Cultural

Unfamiliarity with secular world; “fish out of water” feelings, difficulty belonging, information gaps (e.g. evolution, modern art, music).

Religious trauma is a form of attachment trauma

Religious Authoritarianism coupled with toxic theology which is received and reinforced at church, school, and home results in:

Suppression of Normal Child Development

Cognitive, social, emotional, moral stages of development are arrested.

Suppression of Normal Thinking and Feeling Abilities -Information is Limited and Controlled

Dysfunctional beliefs taught; independent thinking condemned; emotions not seen as information but condemned or equivalated with sin.

External Focus of Control – Knowledge is Revealed, not Discovered

Hierarchy of authority enforced; self not a reliable or good source.

Physical, Emotional and/or Sexual Abuse – Patriarchal Power

Unhealthy sexual views; punishment used for discipline.

Mistaken Diagnosis

According the Dr. Winell and our own observations; Religious Trauma Syndrome shares the same symptoms of many other disorders:

post-traumatic stress disorder
clinical depression
anxiety disorders
bipolar disorder
obsessive compulsive disorder
borderline personality disorder
eating disorders social disorders
marital and sexual dysfunctions
suicide drug and alcohol abuse
extreme antisocial behavior, including homicide

The reality is that often religious trauma is at the basis of these other symptoms. There are many extreme cases of Religious Trauma, including child abuse of all kinds, suicide, rape, and murder. Not as extreme, but also tragic, are all the people who are struggling to make sense of life after losing their whole basis of reality. None of the previously named diagnoses quite tells the story, and many who try to get help from the mental health profession cannot find a therapist who understands. If you have never lived within or grown up in a closed religious community it can be hard to understand.

The counselors and healing professionals of Religious Trauma Counseling (see resources), of which Peter Boyd is a part, have been selected based upon their direct understanding, and work from a trauma informed perspective and training. We have lived within closed religious communities and through our own journey feel called to help. Many years of extensive training and work in the field of psychology as well as a respect and understanding for people's personal belief systems. It is important to mention that we are not interested in converting you to another religious view. We hold a deep respect for people’s beliefs and experiences and work to help clients find their own path. One that supports you in becoming free of anxiety, depression and shame. One that allows you to discover for yourself what is spiritual or divine. or not. There is room here for you to find your own truth, your own gnosis.

Religious Trauma Recovery

When one’s religion or spiritual beliefs start to become the root of anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares, fear or shame this is where it can be helpful to have someone come in and support you. To help you discover what is useful and helpful to you and what is not - whether religious or otherwise. Can you trust yourself enough to discover what is the truth for YOU?

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The path to healing

Empowering Trauma Recovery