"High-control religions teach you not to trust yourself. Healing begins when you remember that the wisdom you need has always lived within you."
Religious trauma is the physical, emotional, or psychological response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that overwhelm a person's ability to cope and feel safe.
Being hurt by someone who held spiritual authority is a particular kind of betrayal. You deserve space to name what happened, grieve it, and slowly rebuild trust in others and in yourself.
Leaving a controlling religious environment can feel like losing an entire world and framework for living. I'll walk with you through the grief, the disorientation, and the quiet work of learning your truth.
Growing up under purity culture teachings can leave you feeling ashamed of your own body and desires. This is a shame-free space to reclaim your sense of self, your sexuality, and your wholeness.
The constant hum of worry, the weight of dread, the racing thoughts at 2am. Anxiety is exhausting, and it lives in both the mind and the body. We'll work together to find the quiet underneath it and help you feel like yourself again.
When something overwhelming happens, the body can keep bracing long after the danger has passed. Flashbacks, hypervigilance, and numbness aren't weakness; they're how you survived. Together we'll help your nervous system learn that it's safe to rest again.
Questioning the faith you were raised in can feel like the floor falling away. But taking your beliefs apart is only half the work. Together we'll also make space to rebuild, to discover what you actually value, what you want to carry forward, and what a meaningful life looks like on your own terms. You don't have to choose between losing your faith and losing yourself.
When everything feels gray and heavy, it can be hard to imagine feeling any other way. Therapy offers a quiet, consistent place to be honest about what's happening and to find your way back.
Leaving a faith or a tight-knit religious world often means losing the people and the sense of belonging that came with it. Rebuilding connection can feel daunting. Together we'll explore what healthy community looks like for you, and how to find your people without abandoning yourself.
Many of my clients have spent years being told their instincts are dangerous, their doubts are sinful, and their inner voice cannot be trusted. Therapy is where we gently challenge that lie.
Being understood is a fundamental need for all of us. Religious trauma can be difficult to explain to someone who is unfamiliar with the language, culture, and unspoken rules that exist within a high-control religion. As a fellow survivor, I recognize how complex this hurt can be. The countless subtle moments of fear, shame, and disconnection that accumulate over time.
In our work together, I offer a trauma-informed and compassionate space to explore what you’ve experienced, rebuild self-trust, and reconnect with your inner sense of safety, freedom, and meaning. Healing isn't linear, so we move at the pace that feels right for you, never faster than your nervous system can handle. And whether you're questioning your faith, leaving it, or finding a new path within it, I hold all directions with equal respect and zero judgment; this work carries no spiritual agenda of its own.
My work is rooted in compassion and a genuine curiosity about your unique story. I draw from multiple modalities, including ACT, IFS, CBT, and somatic practices, but these tools always come second to the most important resource: full presence. The relationship between us is the most important driver of healing. I don't pathologize your experiences or rush your healing. I show up as a real, warm human being who is genuinely invested in your growth, and as a survivor of religious trauma myself, I bring both professional expertise and lived experience to this work. I know it from the inside.
My practice is also a fully affirming space that celebrates the strength of queer individuals navigating religious trauma. The harm done in many religious settings to queer folks is often profound, and I honor that.
"High-control religions teach you not to trust yourself. Healing begins when you remember that the wisdom you need has always lived within you."
Religious trauma is the physical, emotional, or psychological response to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that overwhelm a person's capacity to feel safe, trust, and function. It's a real trauma response, not a character flaw or a lack of faith, and it can develop whether you've left your religion, are still practicing, or are somewhere in between. It isn't about whether God is real or whether religion is good or bad. It's about the real impact certain experiences had on your nervous system, your sense of self, and your ability to trust.
Religious trauma can develop from a wide range of experiences, including:
Often it's not one single event, but a pattern of experiences that slowly shaped how safe the world, other people, and even your own mind felt.
Religious trauma looks different for everyone, but some common experiences include:
Panic or dread tied to God, Hell, or judgment; fear of making the "wrong" choice.
A persistent sense of not being good enough, or feeling fundamentally flawed, unlovable, or incapable of making the right choices.
Difficulty knowing what you believe, want, or feel apart from what you were taught.
Mourning a community, a worldview, or a version of yourself you had to leave behind.
Struggling to trust authority, your own judgment, or even your own body.
A racing heart, tight chest, shallow or restricted breathing, stomach issues, muscle tension, or being easily startled, especially around religious reminders.
You don't have to choose between losing your faith and losing yourself. Whether you're deconstructing, staying, questioning, or somewhere in between, this work is about helping you reconnect with your own sense of safety, trust, and self, at your own pace, with no agenda pushing you in any particular direction.
If any of this feels familiar, you don't have to sort it out alone.
A few things people often wonder before reaching out. If you don't see your question here, feel free to ask during a free consultation.
Still have questions, or ready to take the first step?
A few terms that come up often in this work, and a few organizations beyond my own practice that might be helpful. Use whatever's useful here, and skip the rest.
This page, and this website, are not a substitute for emergency care. If you are in immediate danger or having thoughts of suicide, please reach out right away.
Standard individual therapy session. We'll establish a frequency that supports your goals.
Before committing, let's see if we're a good fit. A chance to ask questions, share what you're looking for, and feel the connection.
These are the plans I accept. Coverage varies. Please verify your benefits before our first session.
If I'm not in-network with your plan, I can provide a superbill to submit for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many PPO plans cover a significant portion.
Payment is due at the time of session. I accept major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards.
Good Faith Estimate: Under the No Surprises Act, individuals who self-pay or are using out-of-network coverage have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate of expected costs before beginning services. I'm happy to provide this upon request.
Take the first step at your own pace. Use the button below to request an appointment through my secure SimplePractice client portal, or start with a free 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit.
Click below to visit my SimplePractice client portal, where you can request a session time that works for you.
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amybook.consults@gmail.com
(781) 816-7312
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