• About Me & My Coaching Services
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Laci Bean

  • Blog
  • Rebuilding U
  • Book a Session
  • Shop My Clay Earrings

March 21 · Leave a Comment

What is Religious Trauma?

Coaching· Healing· Religious Trauma· Spirituality· Trauma

Religious Trauma
Religious Trauma

I’ve been asked multiple times how religion in general can cause trauma. I get it, it’s hard for some people to see something they have experienced as good and wholesome in a way that’s harmful to others. 

Unfortunately, the reality is it can and does.

So religious trauma usually comes up when someone starts questioning their long-held beliefs that have led to them being indoctrinated in their faith. For the most part these people are coming out of more fundamentalist and controlling religions, but not always. 

The level of religious trauma one experiences can vary depending on the person, what kind of religious environment they grew up in, how indoctrinated they were, if their family is indoctrinated as well, what their religious beliefs are, so much more. 

For the most part Religious Trauma comes up when someone starts doubting or questioning their beliefs. When those doubts turn into changing beliefs, we call that deconstruction. Some people deconstruct themselves all the way out of religion. Some deconstruct but then reconstruct to build a healthier view and relationship with God and themselves. Both ways are healthy and acceptable. 

 One of the pioneers of Religious Trauma is from a woman named Marlene Winell. She has her Ph. D in psychology and in 1994 and wrote a book called Leaving the Fold. The book is still in production and sells tons of copies every single year. 

Marlene herself grew up in fundamentalist Christianity and in college started to experience a world outside her “Christian circle” and eventually she deconverted. Through her own experience with Religious Trauma it led her to do some of the most phenomenal work pioneering the field as we knew it today as Religious Trauma. 

In 2011 she coined the phrase Religious Trauma Syndrome and listed out common symptoms people experience when they have Religious Trauma. 

They are… 

  • Poor Critical Thinking Skills
  • Difficulty Making Decisions
  • Decreased Sense of Self-Worth
  • Difficulty Building Strong Relationships
  • Being Unfamiliar with Mainstream Culture
  • Struggling with Belonging
  • Nightmares
  • Sleeping Issues
  • Eating Issues
  • Sexual Dysfunction (Shame related to sex or your sexuality and more.)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief
  • Loneliness

Subscribe below to join the newsletter so you don't miss any posts, announcements, or any updates! 

From someone who jumped into deconstruction about 2 years ago I can tell you this list is spot on. For me I experienced 11 out of the 14 symptoms listed above. It was one of the hardest and trying times of my life, and to be honest I’m still walking through it. 

When we think of trauma, we usually think of some kind of catastrophic event, someone coming back from war, or being physically abused in some way. The thing about Religious Trauma is it’s, for the most part, emotional and developmental. 

That doesn’t make it any less impactful on your life. 

Now I get that it’s not all churches. There are many congregations, especially progressive ones, out there that are aware of the harm some religions and denominations have caused and are actively trying to do better.  

But none the less, religious trauma is real and many people are suffering with it. 

Unfortunately, even though there have been professionals working in the field for decades, Religious Trauma is still underrepresented by mental health professionals. 

As a Religious Trauma Recovery Coach that’s where I come in. When I was seeing my therapist during my deconstruction it wasn’t bad, but she didn’t understand deconstruction. It was great to have her help me through other childhood trauma but the most growth I got during this time was from my Life Coach who was also deconstructing. Processing with him helped me heal immensely. 

If you’re suffering from Religious Trauma I would love to help you find a life of happiness beyond your trauma. Feel free to book a free consultation here. 

Religious Trauma can be debilitating but you don’t have to walk this rode alone and it won’t last forever!

« Do you know your ACE score?
I Don’t Lead People to Jesus… »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hello! I’m Laci…

Hi my name is Laci & I’m a deconstructing exvangelical who’s passionate about helping others heal from religious trauma and find what spirituality means to them. Read More….

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Shop My Notebooks

Books I Recommend

Search

Categories

laci__bean

Why did i feel the need to put jyswlf this togethe Why did i feel the need to put jyswlf this together for a woman to check my lady bits??? #womanshealth #womenshealthcare #jokes#comedy #buymeadrinkfirst #lol #papsmear #timeforacheckup #healthandwellness #fypシ
Hi Vickie, I knindly ask that you respect the boun Hi Vickie, I knindly ask that you respect the boundaries myself and my loved ones have set. #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #deconsructingcommunication #deconstructingfaith #deconstructiontiktok #faithdeconstruction #religiousdeconstruction #exchristian #exchristiantiktok #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #settingboundaries #boundaries #boundariesarehealthy #boundariesarenecessary #growth #healing #religioustrauma #religioustraumahealing
Someone needs to go to therapy and unpack some 💩! #theinternetisforever #thinktwice #benice #gototherapy #dontbeadick #blessyourheart
An ExChristian Tried Cards Against Witches Filter! An ExChristian Tried Cards Against Witches Filter! I cant stop laughing! #exchristian #exchristiantiktok #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #exvangelicalsbelike #witch #witchcraft #witchtok #cardsagainstwitches #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #deconstructiontiktok #deconstructingfaith #deconstructionjourney #religioustrauma #religiousdeconstruction #spells #spellbook #funny
Replying to @ForestFaerie🧚‍♀️ #LoveIsLove Replying to @ForestFaerie🧚‍♀️ #LoveIsLove #lovewins #Pride #lgbtqia #lqbtqia🏳️‍🌈 #representationmatters #representation #equality #Love #childrenareourfuture #letkidsbekids #bigotryistaught #bigotry
@Jenna Lynn we are not the ones indoctrinating the @Jenna Lynn we are not the ones indoctrinating the children. #equality #representationmatters #representation #lgbtqia #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #exchristian #exchristiantiktok #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #deconstructingfaith #religiousdeconstruction #Pride #liveandletlive #floridaisnotfree #christianindoctrination #religiousindoctrination #liberal #democrat #polotics #strangeworld #disney #disneymovies
You get this video with bloopers and all! Haha but You get this video with bloopers and all! Haha but good news Awaken in Nashville now has an online option!!! Get you tickets at the link in my biO! #awaken #awakennashville #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #deconstructiontiktok #deconstructingfaith #religiousdeconstruction #deconstructionjourney #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #exvangelicalsbelike #religioustrauma #spiritualabuse #growth #authenticself #healing #reconstruction #faithreconstruction #agnostic #athiest @keithagiles
Just some food for thought on the republican party Just some food for thought on the republican party… #politics #republicans #democrats #leftist #beontherightsideofhistory #foodforthought #political #politicaltiktok #democratsoftiktok #voteblue #humanity #equality #ally #Pride
When the belif of the ‘right to protect yourself When the belif of the ‘right to protect yourself’ makes you so scared that you ☠️ innocent people. This is what we call brainwashing. #weneedguncontrol #gunreform #profitsoverpeople #thisisntokay #democrat #democratsoftiktok #liberal #leftist #brainwas#brainwashing #politics #guncontrol #guncontrolsaveschildrenslives #wecantkeepdoingthis
#duet with @Indie Yessssss! When your own religion #duet with @Indie Yessssss! When your own religion is used to show you just how unchrist-like you’re being! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼#Duet #politics #democrat #democratsoftiktok #liberal #christianity #feedthehungry #loveyourneighbor #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #deconstructingfaith #deconstructionjourney #deconstructingreligion #religioustrauma #religiousdeconstruction #exchristiantiktok #exchristian #lovelikejesus #agnostic
IYKYK #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity IYKYK #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #deconstructingfaith #deconstructionjourney #deconstructingreligion #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #exvangelicalsbelike #exchristian #exchristiantiktok #exchristians #agnostic #athiest #athiesm #athiestsoftiktok #athiesttiktok #greenscreenvideo
Can trans people get the same rights as Manatees? Can trans people get the same rights as Manatees? #florida #dontsaygaybillflorida #dontsaygay #transgender #transrights #transrightsarehumanrights #transrights🏳️‍⚧️ #ally #liveandletlive #dobetter #standup #youdonthavetofightalone #transally #polotics #gopcult #liberal #democrate #leftist #greenscreenvideo @theexcitablescientist
Awaken in Nashville is just around the corner so g Awaken in Nashville is just around the corner so get your tickets now! Pre-Sae tickets are still going on so dont wait so you can save some 💰! #awaken #awaken2023 #awakennashville #deconstruction #deconstructingchristianity #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #religioustrauma #religiousdeconstruction #deconstructingfaith #deconstructionjourney #reconstruction #reconstructingchristianity #reconstructingfaith #exchristian #lgbtqia #affirmingtheology #ally #progressiveclergy #progressivechristian #athiest #agnostic #allarewelcome #askquestions @keithagiles
I wish this was just a joke and not the reality we I wish this was just a joke and not the reality we live in…. #exvangelical #exvangelicaltiktok #deconstructingchristianity #deconstruction #deconstructiontiktok #faithdeconstruction #religioustrauma #religiousdeconstruction #spiritualabuse #churchhurt #churchabuse #dobetter
Killing time waiting on my prescription for pink e Killing time waiting on my prescription for pink eye 😂🤦🏼‍♀️ #90s #90smusic #music #oldies #growingupinthe90s
#duet with @jesscraven101 #gop #wtf #conservatives #duet with @jesscraven101 #gop #wtf #conservativesarewack #republicansaresnowflakes #thisisbs #polotics #liberal #votedemocrat #cantmakethisup #youreinacult
#duet with @thegoodliars #fyp #ummmwhat #donaldtru #duet with @thegoodliars #fyp #ummmwhat #donaldtrump #donaldtrumpisacriminal #donaldtrumpindicted #cantmakethisup #wtf #cantfixstupid #whatintheflorida #ilostbraincells #youreinacult
Yep, that tracks! #robinwilliamsmovies #robots #ro Yep, that tracks! #robinwilliamsmovies #robots #robinwilliams #kidsmovies #disneyrobots
#duet with @yourbluechannelbackup #foxnewsisfakene #duet with @yourbluechannelbackup #foxnewsisfakenews #bidenwon #theelectionwasntstolen #growup #seperatechurchandstate #foxnewsisajoke #foxnewscalleduout #polotics #2020election #leftist #liberal #gowoke #proudtobewoke
Some days I hate it here in the US. #schooldays #c Some days I hate it here in the US. #schooldays #childhoodtrauma #gunviolenceneedstostop #gunviolence #protectthechildren #activeshooterdrills #schoolinamerica #americanschoolsystem #americanschool
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · captivating theme by Restored 316