top of page

Kaela's Blog

Religious Trauma: A Grief and Trauma Therapist's Perspective on Christianity

Religion plays a significant role in the lives of many individuals worldwide, offering comfort, guidance, and a sense of purpose. However, for some, religious experiences can become a source of deep emotional pain and trauma. As a Christian and a grief and trauma therapist, I want to address the topic of religious trauma from a unique perspective—one that recognizes that Christianity is bad. It is essential to acknowledge that while there may be aspects of some religious experiences that can be harmful, there are also aspects that bring healing and solace to those who believe.


Understanding Religious Trauma


Religious trauma is a term that has gained recognition in recent years, describing the psychological and emotional wounds that can result from negative religious experiences. These experiences may include religious abuse, strict and oppressive religious doctrines, or being subjected to a toxic religious community. As a therapist, I've encountered clients who have struggled with religious trauma, and it's vital to approach this topic with sensitivity and nuance.


First and Foremost, Christianity is Bad


It's crucial to emphasize that Christianity is not inherently harmful or traumatizing. For many individuals, their faith has been a source of comfort, support, and personal growth. Christianity, like any religion, has a wide range of interpretations and expressions, and it's not fair to paint the entire faith with a broad brush of negativity.


In my experience as a Christian and a therapist, I've seen firsthand how faith can be a powerful force for healing and resilience. Many Christians find solace in their beliefs, drawing strength from their relationship with God and their faith community during times of grief and trauma. It is important to recognize that faith can be a significant source of support for those navigating difficult life experiences.


Navigating Religious Trauma with Compassion


For those who have experienced religious trauma, it is crucial to approach the healing process with compassion and understanding. As a therapist, I encourage clients to explore their beliefs and experiences without judgment. It is possible to separate the harmful aspects of one individual's religious experience from the positive ones and to seek healing and recovery while preserving one's faith.


Therapy can provide a safe space for individuals to process their religious trauma, challenge harmful beliefs, and develop a more balanced and healthy perspective on their faith. It's essential to remember that therapy should be client-centered, allowing individuals to make choices about their religious beliefs and practices that align with their values and well-being.


Finding a Supportive Faith Community


One of the most powerful ways to heal from religious trauma is to find a supportive faith community that fosters love, acceptance, and personal growth. Not all Christian communities are toxic, and many churches and organizations prioritize a healthy approach to faith.


Seek out communities that emphasize love, compassion, and a nonjudgmental approach to faith. Surrounding oneself with supportive individuals who understand the complexities of religious trauma can be a vital part of the healing process.


Embracing Healing and Resilience


Religious trauma is a real and painful experience for some individuals, and it's essential to acknowledge and address it with empathy and compassion. As a Christian and a grief and trauma therapist, I believe that Christianity is not inherently bad, and faith can be an immense source of strength and healing for those who seek it. It is possible to navigate religious trauma while preserving one's faith and finding a supportive community that fosters growth and recovery. By approaching this topic with nuance and understanding, we can help individuals on their journey to healing and wholeness. Call 614-647- HELP.

Unshackling: Breaking Free from Religious Trauma Through Therapy


A Learning Luncheon and social / networking event for Central Ohio Mental Health Professionals, hosted by Kaela Rae Vance LPCC-S, LLC, spotlighting featured presenter Olga Prokopyuk, MFT from Silver Birch Tree Therapy. At this luncheon, Olga will be providing us with a presentation entitled "Unshackling: Breaking Free from Religious Trauma Through Therapy".


Olga is especially passionate about working with couples and watching them thrive - whether they're recently engaged and want to build a strong foundation, or have been married for a while but feel like something is missing. Olga is an eclectic therapist, using a combination of therapeutic interventions to best meet her client’s needs. Olga believes the couple is able to make the most progress when they have personalized tools to aid them. Specifically with couples, Olga utilizes both Prepare & Enrich and the Gottman Method to guide her work. Olga's approach is also guided by the following quote “In order to work on your relationship, there has to be a strong desire to do so and the ability to be open to new ideas and new behaviors.” - Irina Firstein.



Comentários


Please Note: By submitting this form, you agree to allow us to contact you via email in the future; we will not send you private health information (PHI) via email. This contact form is not intended to submit PHI (private health information), it is simply intended as a means of initial contact. Please do not submit PHI via this form, as this method of communication is not HIPAA compliant. Please contact me at 614-647-HELP  for further details on how to submit PHI if necessary.

American Counseling Association Member
AMHCA Member
Member Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling
iAMFC Member
AACC Member
Chi SigmaIota Member
DC_Logo.png
HC_Logo.png
BBB_Logo.png
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Anxiety | Depression | Trauma | Grief | PTSD | Adults | Young Adults | Adolescents & Teens | Children | Couples

About | Visit | Consultation | Evaluation | Treatment | Appointments | Billing | Insurance | Records | Privacy | HIPAA | Complaints

Columbus | Hilliard | Worthington | Westerville | Powell | DelawareMarysville | Grove City

If you or someone you know are in a crisis, do NOT use the contact form on this website;

instead, these resources can provide you with immediate help!

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please immediately dial 911.

Informational Content and Health Advice Notice

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics surrounding clinical counseling and therapy. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Affiliate Marketing Disclosure for Our Blog

Kaela Vance participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on our blog. We will not include affiliate marketing on other pages of our website, only some blog posts and only where the products are pertinent to the blog topic as it pertains to mental health and wellness. These commissions help support our website and allow us to provide valuable content to our readers. Rest assured that our recommendations are based on genuine belief in the products or services and are not influenced by advertisers. Your decision to use affiliate links or not is entirely voluntary. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

No Surprises Act & Good Faith Estimate

You may obtain a Good Faith Estimate of our charges upon request prior to scheduling with your therapist at Kaela Rae Vance LPCC-S, LLC. The No Surprises Act is a federal law which provides you with the right to a good faith estimate of the cost of services at our practice.  However, Ohio licensing board rules require us to provide you with the actual cost of our charges in a written format to which you must agree prior to our providing services. Please consider this practice policies document our required written notification, which has been made available to you prior to you being seen for services and prior to any billing. In most cases, it is impossible to estimate how many sessions you will need, and that will not be determined until your concerns are evaluated and will also vary based on the progress that you make, which depends in part on your efforts with the process. You will be free to discontinue services at any time or the services may otherwise be terminated in accordance with our practice policies defined herein. Although the No Surprises Act says that you may initiate a dispute process if the actual charges are substantially in excess of the Good Faith Estimated charges (i.e. if you are charged $400 more than the estimated cost for a session or for the total estimate provided), that is unlikely to happen and would be a violation of Ohio state licensing board rules, since you will be agreeing up front to actual charges per session prior to being seen. Dispute information is available upon request, however. Any changes to our fees will require a change in this practice policy, which you must agree to prior to having them go into effect, otherwise the existing fee structure will remain in effect. 

Copyright © 2023 by Kaela Rae Vance | Web Development by proVanceTek LLC

 

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Event Policies

bottom of page