Religious Trauma Therapy: Healing from Spiritual Harm
Find Healing from Religious Trauma.
When Faith Hurts Instead of Heals
Faith and spirituality can be sources of comfort, community, and strength. But for some, religious environments can also become places of fear, shame, and control. When a person’s identity, choices, or self-expression clash with rigid belief systems, the result can be deep emotional wounds—what many refer to as religious trauma.
Religious trauma can leave lasting effects on:
Self-worth and identity (feeling unworthy, ashamed, or “not good enough”)
Emotional health (anxiety, depression, guilt, or chronic self-doubt)
Relationships (difficulty trusting others, strained family connections, fear of intimacy)
Spirituality (confusion, fear of punishment, or struggle to connect with belief systems in a healthy way)
How Therapy Can Help
Religious trauma is real, and healing is possible. Therapy provides a safe, non-judgmental space to process painful experiences, question long-held beliefs, and rebuild a sense of self.
At PBA Psychology, therapy may include:
Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring how early religious experiences shaped identity, emotions, and relationships, and uncovering unconscious patterns of fear, shame, or guilt.
Trauma-Informed Therapy: Addressing the effects of religious abuse, including PTSD-like symptoms, emotional flashbacks, and body-based distress.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying and challenging harmful internalized beliefs, such as “I am sinful” or “I will be punished if I make mistakes.”
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helping individuals create values-based living outside of oppressive systems.
Exploration of Spirituality: For some, healing may also mean rebuilding a healthier, more empowering connection to spirituality, or choosing to step away altogether.
What Religious Trauma Can Feel Like
For many, religious trauma is invisible but overwhelming. It might show up as:
Anxiety or panic when thinking about religion, prayer, or faith communities
Difficulty making decisions without fear of judgment or punishment
Feelings of guilt or shame around sexuality, gender identity, or personal choices
Fear of rejection from family or community
Struggles with trust, intimacy, and belonging
“Religious trauma often feels like carrying the weight of a belief system that no longer fits, but being too afraid to set it down.”
Understanding the Impact of Religious Trauma on Life
Religious trauma doesn’t just affect spiritual life. It often influences career, relationships, sexuality, parenting, and overall well-being. Many people raised in high-control or fundamentalist systems report struggling with:
Difficulty trusting authority figures or making independent choices
Guilt around sexuality or gender identity, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals
Conflict in relationships or families when leaving or questioning faith
Isolation or loss of community after leaving a religious environment
Therapy helps individuals recognize these patterns, grieve losses, and reclaim their personal power.
Take the Next Step Together
WE CAN HELP.
REACH OUT TODAY.
Direct Email: info@pbapsychology.com
Phone: 310.271.2275
BEVERLY HILLS LOCATION
9350 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 212
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
DOWNTOWN LA LOCATION
714 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 926
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Inclusive and Compassionate Care
Religious trauma can affect people from all backgrounds, cultures, and faith traditions. At PBA Psychology, our diverse team understands how race, culture, sexuality, and gender identity intersect with religious experiences. This allows us to meet clients with empathy, respect, and deep cultural awareness.
We honor each person’s unique story, whether the journey involves redefining spirituality, finding new communities, or moving beyond religion entirely.
Taking the First Step Toward Healing
Choosing to seek therapy for religious trauma can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve been taught to distrust therapy or to silence your pain. But healing begins the moment you give yourself permission to explore your story in a safe and affirming space.
At PBA Psychology, we help clients:
Release shame and reclaim self-worth
Process grief, anger, and loss related to religious experiences
Build healthier, authentic relationships
Discover freedom in living aligned with personal values