Therapy for religious trauma in Portland, Oregon
You always feel like you’re in trouble. One “false” move, and you’ll be punished. Or you’ll be seen as not good enough. The fact is, you tried your best. You gave it everything you had. But it was never enough to satisfy a God or a leader you had devoted your life to. To this day, you struggle with your identity, your self-confidence, and finding your own belief system. What do I actually believe? How do I live my life now? These and many more questions are asked by those who have survived spiritual trauma. This also applies to those who have left or are trying to leave a high-control group.
It's been a lonely journey, to say the least. Whenever you tell someone your story, they are shocked or maybe they question your experience. But you seem so well-adjusted! I never would have guessed you went through something like that. While these are often well-intentioned, it can sometimes add to the sense of otherness. You just want to be understood and accepted. The fact is, you are more than the sum of your experiences. And, this is something you are still healing, deconstructing, and deprogramming from. Finding a community of those who are on a similar journey and/or talking to a therapist who specializes in religious trauma recovery, can be incredibly helpful.
In this work, I combine a person-centered approach with modalities such as IFS, ACT, and expressive modalities including narrative therapy and music therapy (if these are of interest to you). We will explore the core beliefs you were raised and/or indoctrinated with. We will also work to identify what core beliefs empower you now and help you live the life you want and deserve to live. You are allowed to come to the therapy room exactly as you are. There is nothing you need to prove in this space. This time is yours and yours alone. This may be a difficult piece to digest initially, and that is okay. You are the expert in the room. I am here to guide and support along the way.