Faith Transition/Trauma

Are you or a family member experiencing a faith transition?

COUNSELING FOR FAITH TRANSITION AND RELIGIOUS TRAUMA

Leaving or questioning the LDS Church can bring profound grief, fear, and isolation. Many people experience anxiety, identity loss, or religious trauma during an LDS faith transition--especially when family or community relationships are affected. I offer compassionate, faith-aware counseling to help you navigate this transition with clarity, self-trust, and emotional safety.

I am so glad you are here! This is a tough one, and a lonely one, especially if you are in the middle of a big religious community that all shares the same belief systems. Some say when they experience a faith crisis that they have what's called the dark night of the soul. Has that happened to you? It's one of those things you may feel is too personal and too life-altering to share with anyone. I offer a safe space of nonjudgment for those feelings of loss, grief, sadness, fear, frustration and betrayal to be let out and explored. I offer therapy that respects your story--without pushing belief. I offer in-person and online counseling throughout Arizona. You're welcome to schedule a consultation when you're ready.

15 MIN FREE CONSULTATION

I have experience and find joy working in Christian therapy with the evangelical community and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormons. Within these communities, there seems so much at stake when one experiences a faith crisis. Their friends' and families' beliefs are intertwined with their relationships and they can view your changed beliefs as having very negative eternal consequences. A parent may view their son's change in belief as so dire they call it spiritual death, which to them may be worse than physical death.

I approach each client with compassion and I offer a certain cultural competence that other therapists may not have, especially with members of the LDS church. I offer a safe and confidential space for the client to explore and work through their faith stages. I use Brian McLaren's and James Fowler's stages of faith models to help clients navigate their transitions. Faith transitions often involve periods of uncertainty and discomfort. We'll work together to build emotional resilience, helping you cope with the challenges of a faith crisis and emerge stronger on the other side.

You May Be experiencing Religious Trauma if...

You find it difficult to hold and maintain boundaries.

Sometimes, self-sacrificing can become misconstrued with abandonment of self in the service of others. Saying yes is looked at as being a stalwart disciple and it is honored from a young age. It can be quite difficult to break this people pleasing behavior and to learn how to set boundaries as the former is part of the nervous system.

You grapple with existential dread like going to hell.

Many people carry the same fears that were presented to them in the religious context such as the threat of going to hell. These teachings are often taught to children who lack critical thinking skills and are not developmentally ready to make sense of such a concept. This trauma is carried in the body and can reside even after a complete shift in belief.

You suffered any type of abuse by ecclesiastic leaders.

Sexual, physical, emotional, and psychological abuses occur throughout religious contexts and hurt the most vulnerable. Processing this trauma with a specialist who understands its complexities is crucial.

You have been ostracized by friends or family

This seems to be the most pervasive aspect and most common in religious trauma. Many keep shifting beliefs to themselves because of the threat of losing relationships. This is a very real concept that should be considered and wherever you are on your journey, I will meet you there. I will never push you to leave, stay, or cross any boundaries with exposure that you are not ready for. It is more complex and nuanced an issue.

You still struggle with purity culture

This is more complicated an issue that one paragraph can hold. Purity culture affects who we are in so many ways: sexually, relational, and how we interact with the world through speech, dress, and actions. I have been trained to help those suffering with residual shame in this realm to identify and resolve the erroneous meanings and how it personally affects individuals.

You struggle with inner authority and self-authorship

So often, high demand religion is a system set up so that an individual has to answer to another: whether that is for permission, or for their own personal worthiness. After faith transition, many jump from one leader to another but in a different form, such as a self-help guru or spiritual leader. The trust in self-authorship and inner-knowing is a bit weak.

LDS Faith Transition & Religious Trauma Therapy

Are you or a family member experiencing a faith transition?

COUNSELING FOR FAITH TRANSITION AND RELIGIOUS TRAUMA

You May Be experiencing Religious Trauma if...

You find it difficult to hold and maintain boundaries.

You grapple with existential dread like going to hell.

You suffered any type of abuse by ecclesiastic leaders.

You have been ostracized by friends or family

You still struggle with purity culture

You struggle with inner authority and self-authorship

I have specialized training in Religious Trauma and am currently a member of The Religious Trauma Practitioner Cohort I am trained in and understand CPTSD within the context of high-control religion. Let's talk more. Request an appointment below and select free consultation.

LDS Faith Transition & Religious Trauma Therapy

Are you or a family member experiencing a faith transition?

COUNSELING FOR FAITH TRANSITION AND RELIGIOUS TRAUMA

You May Be experiencing Religious Trauma if...

You find it difficult to hold and maintain boundaries.

You grapple with existential dread like going to hell.

You suffered any type of abuse by ecclesiastic leaders.

You have been ostracized by friends or family

You still struggle with purity culture

You struggle with inner authority and self-authorship

I have specialized training in Religious Trauma and am currently a member of The Religious Trauma Practitioner Cohort I am trained in and understand CPTSD within the context of high-control religion. Let's talk more. Request an appointment below and select free consultation.

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