How to Heal Religious Trauma
In our last blog post we discussed religious trauma, where it comes from, and how it manifests. Now that we have a better idea of what religious trauma is, our next step is to discover how to heal from it.
I’m a therapist with a background in pastoral counseling and specialize in helping people heal from religious trauma. Religious trauma can be one of the most foundational wounds a person can experience. It can share your sense of self, the world, and the deeper meaning of like. We know that the process to heal is not simple or linear, but with the right help, it is possible.
Below are some of the steps I like to talk with clients as we help heal from religious trauma.
Honoring the Pain
The first step to healing is acknowledging there is a wound. Healing begins with allowing yourself to name and feel the hurt. Religious hurt can often feel unspeakable. Most people live with it as a source of personal shame. So the most powerful step in healing is naming the wound.
Once we acknowledge the hurt, we can then begin to grieve the loss. It’s okay to grieve what was. You may have lost trust, community, purpose, or even your sense of self. That grief is valid and should be honored.
Healing from Religious Trauma Next Steps
The path to healing will look differently for everyone. That is why it is so important in my work to tailor the treatment specially to my clients. Some initial steps that might be helpful include:
Journaling honestly about your experience
Working with a trauma-informed therapist
Creating space to feel your anger, sadness, or confusion
Naming what no longer serves you
There’s no “right way” to process religious trauma. The goal is not to go back to what was, but to move forward toward what feels whole.
Reclaiming Your Spirituality
Leaving a harmful religious environment doesn’t mean you have to abandon your spirituality. Many people find deep healing by reconnecting with a Higher Power that is compassionate, inclusive, and aligned with their values.
Ask yourself:
What do I still believe about the sacred or the soul?
How do I want to define my relationship with a Higher Power now?
What spiritual practices help me feel calm, connected, or grounded?
What do I feel is my purpose?
Your spirituality might look different now. It could include:
Nature-based practices
Meditation, movement, or breathwork
Rituals from other cultures or traditions
Art, music, or poetry that helps you connect to something greater
Prayer that feels honest and healing
This is your journey, and your connection to a Higher Power can evolve in a way that brings peace instead of fear.
The Role of the Higher Power in Healing
When approached gently, a relationship with a Higher Power can be a powerful part of the healing process. It can offer comfort, strength, and a sense of meaning, especially when old narratives of shame are replaced with ones of compassion.
You might explore:
Speaking to a Higher Power as you understand them
Visualizing a Higher Power that is nurturing and safe
Asking yourself: What would a loving Higher Power want for me?
What is my purpose in this world?
Something I often tell my clients is: You were never unworthy. You were never beyond love. You are valuable, whole, and loved, right now. You have a purpose on this Earth. Healing may be slow and nonlinear, but every step you take to reconnect with yourself and your Higher Power is powerful and sacred.
Final Thoughts
Religious trauma doesn’t have to be the end of your spiritual life, it might be the beginning of something deeper, freer, and more authentic. You are allowed to question. You are allowed to rebuild. You are allowed to find a Higher Power who meets you with love, not fear.
As a therapist, I am honored to walk alongside individuals who are healing from religious harm and reclaiming their spiritual lives in powerful, personal ways. If you're navigating this journey, you're not alone, and healing is absolutely possible.
Written by Em Johnston
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Calm Mind Therapy is a boutique mental health practice located in Ardmore, PA, specializing in the care of children, adolescents, and adults. Our mission is to provide the Main Line with high-quality mental health services for all ages. Our goal is to help our clients achieve emotional well-being and build a life worth living. Serving clients in Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Narberth, Radnor, Lower Merion, Haverford, Havertown, Villanova, Swarthmore, Devon, Berwyn, Malvern, Bala Cynwyd, and more.
