Religious Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, California
You feel lost, trying to make sense of who you are outside the group that once defined your entire identity.
Lingering fears of judgment or spiritual punishment make moving forward feel overwhelming.
You are constantly questioning your decisions and struggling to trust yourself.
You feel isolated or abandoned by loved ones who stayed behind, leaving you to navigate life on your own.
You have left your religious group, and now feel like a “late bloomer” when it comes to sexuality and your connection to your body.
Plus, you’ve been told that you’re overreacting or “making it up,” while the pain of your experiences feels undeniable.
It doesn’t have to be this way!
Let’s explore your values, interests, and passions. We will build a safe space to uncover your authentic self and begin rebuilding your identity.
Together, I will help you safely process these fears and release their hold on your nervous system, allowing you to regain a sense of safety and autonomy.
You can unlearn the harmful things you were taught about yourself. You can reconnect with your body’s wisdom. This will help you tune into your instincts and rebuild trust in your self and intuition.
You can grieve the losses of community, and build a new support system. You don’t have to do this alone!
Your experiences are valid and important. You will learn to heal the trauma, honor the experiences you’ve had with new found self-compassion, and move forward feeling less stuck in the overwhelm.
Finding a Religious Trauma Therapist in California can help!
Healing is possible.
How to Know When You Need Religious Trauma Therapy in California:
You have feelings of fear, guilt, and shame that you just can’t shake.
You feel like everything has to be black and white, and feel uncomfortable living in uncertainty.
You’re having conflict with family members since leaving the group, and feel misunderstood and angry.
You worry about how others—especially those who still hold traditional beliefs—will see or treat you because of your faith transition.
You feel like you’re always walking on eggshells, or on edge all the time.
You wish you could find pleasure and trust in your body, intuition, and sensations.
Purity culture is a set of beliefs that teaches people to stay "pure," by abstaining from physical and emotional intimacy - especially related to sex and relationships.
It says that people should save all sexual activity, including thoughts and feelings, for marriage.
It puts pressure on people to act a certain way, dress modestly, and avoid any romantic or physical closeness before getting married.
Tends to avoid comprehensive sex education, enforces traditional gender roles, and conversations around consent.
These beliefs are often introduced at a young age in religious settings, and can lead to chronic shame and fear around sex and sexuality.
What is Purity Culture?
What happens in a High Control Group?
Strict Rules: The group has rigid rules you must follow, controlling aspects of your behavior and beliefs.
Isolation: The group encourages or forces you to cut ties with people outside the group, including family and friends.
Authoritarian Leadership: One or a few leaders hold all the power, and their decisions are unquestionable.
Us vs. Them: The group believes only members are "right" or "saved," making everyone else seem inferior or dangerous.
Fear and Guilt: You’re made to feel guilty or afraid if you question the group or try to leave.
Punishment for Disobedience: Any rule-breaking is met with punishment, like shaming or being cut off from the group.
Types of high control groups may include: Certain Religious Organizations, Cult Organizations, or High-Control in Business Contexts such as Multi Level Marketing Companies.