Therapy for Religious Trauma
in Phoenix, AZ (and online across Arizona)
Feeling Lost After Leaving Your Faith?
Walking away from a high-control religion can feel like losing a part of yourself. You were taught a specific way to see the world, and now that framework is gone. Maybe you're haunted by lingering guilt, fear, or shame that you just can't shake. Perhaps social situations feel awkward because you’re relearning how to connect with people outside of that insulated community. You might feel a deep sense of loneliness, even if you were the one who chose to leave. It's a confusing and disorienting place to be, and it can feel like no one understands what you're going through.
The Unseen Wounds of Religious Harm
This isn't just about questioning beliefs; it's about healing from real harm, and wounds that go far deeper than what most people see. You might be struggling with anxiety, depression, or even symptoms of PTSD or post-traumatic stress as a result of your experiences. Religious trauma can leave behind flashbacks, nightmares, or a constant sense of being on edge that lingers long after you've left the environment. Maybe you're deconstructing toxic messages about purity culture, your identity, or your self-worth. If you're also part of the LGBTQ+ community or are neurodivergent, those religious messages may have left you feeling fundamentally broken or wrong. The constant internal conflict is exhausting. You’re trying to build a new life, but the echoes of the past,, and the very real impacts of post-traumatic stress, can make it hard to trust yourself, your decisions, and your own inner voice. Therapy provides a path to address not only the emotional pain but also the trauma responses that hold you back.
Reclaim Your Story and Find Your Footing
What if you could untangle the fear from your faith experience and build a life that feels authentic to you? Therapy for religious trauma offers a safe space to process your story without judgment. We can work together to unpack the complex emotions, grieve the losses, and challenge the harmful narratives you were taught. You'll learn to listen to your own intuition and rebuild a sense of self-worth based on who you are, not who you were told to be. This journey is about more than just recovery; it's about rediscovering your own spirituality (or lack thereof), building healthy relationships, and finding peace and wholeness on your own terms.
Your story matters, and healing is possible. Let’s connect and create a path forward together.
Who This Therapy Is For
It’s hard to trust someone with your story, especially when you feel like no one could possibly understand. You might be worried that a therapist won't "get it": the nuances of leaving a high-control religion, the harm caused by purity culture, or the exhaustion of navigating the world as a neurodivergent or queer person. I want you to know that your concerns are valid. My work is dedicated to creating a space where you don't have to explain the basics. I’ve worked with many clients who’ve felt the same way, and together we’ve built a space where they felt truly understood. I'm here to listen with empathy, not judgment.
This therapy is a good fit if you:
Are healing from religious trauma, deconstructing your faith, or recovering from a high-control group
Identify as LGBTQ+ and are working to untangle harmful messages about your identity
Struggle with lingering shame, guilt, or fear from your upbringing
Feel lost, lonely, or disconnected while trying to build a life that feels authentic
Therapy That’s Built Around You
Your healing journey should be tailored to you, not based on a rigid, one-size-fits-all formula. My approach is collaborative and client-centered, meaning we focus on what matters most to you in a way that feels supportive and empowering.
I am committed to acknowledging how systemic oppression and cultural trauma affect your mental health, and I intentionally reject Eurocentric norms in therapy that may not serve or resonate with everyone.
Instead, our work is guided by a respect for your lived experience and unique cultural context. In other words, your story and strengths shape the healing process.
You’ll find sessions to be a mix of unpacking the roots of your pain and trying out practical tools you can use right away to ease anxiety, build resilience, and navigate daily challenges. I integrate evidence-based methods like trauma-focused therapy and mindfulness practices to help you process difficult experiences and build skills that matter. We can explore how past events impact your present, work on reconnecting with your body, and develop a stronger sense of self-compassion. Whether we’re unpacking complex trauma, addressing PTSD or post-traumatic stress, or finding strategies for managing daily anxiety, our work together is flexible and designed to meet your specific needs and goals.
Find Your Way Forward to an Authentic Life
Imagine what it would feel like to move through your day without the heavy weight of shame or self-doubt. Therapy can help you get there. You can learn to trust your own inner voice, build confidence in your decisions, and create meaningful connections that feel safe and genuine. This journey is about more than just managing symptoms; it’s about rediscovering your worth, embracing your full identity, and building a life filled with clarity and purpose. Healing takes time, but with consistent support, you can create lasting change that feels sustainable and empowering. Healing takes time, but with consistent support, you can create lasting change that feels sustainable and empowering. You deserve to feel whole, grounded, and free to be yourself.
You don’t have to do this alone. If you're ready to start healing on your own terms, let's connect.