Healing from Religious Trauma: Finding Peace Beyond Hurtful Beliefs

Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, it’s never enough for God, or for others? Do you have messages about perfection, purity, or obedience that leave you carrying more shame than hope? If so, you are not alone. Many people who grew up in faith communities find themselves struggling with wounds from the very place they expected to find safety and love.

The good news? Harmful beliefs don’t have to define you. Healing is possible, and you have the freedom to reclaim your story.

For some, religious trauma is overt and unmistakably painful. For others, it doesn't come from a single big event, but builds slowly through subtle messages and experiences that quietly shape how you see yourself, others, and God. This might look like:

• Striving to please others or to be “perfect” because love has felt conditional
• Carrying shame from purity culture or past mistakes
• Living with fear of rejection or punishment from God
• Experiencing abuse or betrayal from someone who claimed to represent God
• Facing discrimination or exclusion because of your identity
• Witnessing hypocrisy in the church that leaves you feeling disillusioned

No matter the form it takes, the impact of religious trauma is real and deserves care, compassion, and support.

Healing often begins with naming what has been wounding. In therapy, there is space to sit with these experiences, grieve what was lost, and process the impact harmful beliefs or actions have had on your life. This work can be tender and uncomfortable, requiring patience and self-compassion as you learn to be present with grief and uncertainty.

Some questions you might explore include:

• Which beliefs have shaped me in ways that feel heavy or painful?
• What parts of my story need acknowledgment and grief?
• How can I offer myself compassion while navigating the unknown?
• How do I want to move forward in my relationship with myself, others, and possibly with God?

This process isn’t about finding one “right” answer. It’s about making space for both pain and possibility, and trusting that clarity and healing can gradually emerge in ways that feel authentic.

Healing from religious trauma looks different for everyone. For some, it may mean rediscovering God’s character in a way that feels loving, gracious, and freeing. For others, it may mean stepping back to grieve and process before reconnecting with faith — or deciding not to.

In therapy, there is no pressure to reach a specific conclusion. My role is to hold space for your questions, honor your story, and support you in exploring what brings peace, healing, and authenticity.

Religious trauma can feel confusing and isolating, but you don’t have to carry it alone. In therapy, we can explore your story, make space for both pain and possibility, and walk toward a path of freedom that reflects your values.

If you’re ready to take steps toward healing, I would be honored to walk with you. I offer therapy at our North Austin location, where together we can create a space for compassion, safety, and restoration.