What is Religious Trauma and What are the Signs?
Religious trauma, much like experiencing physical and sexual abuse or a severe accident can produce the same effects. Feelings of isolation, shame, guilt, anger, and dissociation are common. Direct and indirect messages from beliefs, religious leaders, and the spiritual community can become rigid, shaming, and fear-mongering. So it makes sense to find yourself desperate for control to make yourself "good" and avoid punishment.
You may struggle to forgive yourself for past mistakes. You may also think it's already incurred disappointment from God, spiritual leaders, or your church community. You punish yourself and your body because you believe condemning yourself is putting away your sin. But the more you criticize, the more resigned and helpless you feel. Finally, you can't tolerate uncertainty and gray areas. Because if there is only one right way to approach life, any deviation from it is the ultimate failure.
If you suspect what you're experiencing is due to growing up in or from your current spiritual community, consider the following themes and explore the potential benefits of Trauma Therapy with us here at Therapy on Fig.
Spiritual Bypassing
Using spiritual beliefs or practices to avoid or "bypass" uncomfortable emotions or personal challenges is called spiritual bypassing. It means using spirituality as a way to skip the necessary inner work for personal growth and healing. Instead of facing "negative" emotions like grief or anger, you focus on positive spiritual experiences. This strict attachment to spiritual ideas can block meaningful self-exploration and growth.
Lack of Self Trust Due to Religious Trauma
In a religious or spiritual community, there is often an emphasis on strict adherence to and loyal trust in authority figures, theology, or doctrine. This may foster a belief that your judgment is inferior or lacking. You begin to outsource your agency, role, and responsibility to a higher power. This leaves you in the dark about your ability to solve problems, work through challenges, and overcome struggles. You feel guilt and shame for not aligning or being self-disciplined enough to the only "Truth." Combined with a fear of divine punishment for falling outside of "God's will," personal power is further eroded. This fosters a dependency on external guidance. If you find yourself struggling with these dynamics and are seeking support. Consider reaching out to our trauma therapists for guidance.
Black and White Thinking and Perfectionism
When there's a fear of reaping eternal consequences, such as threats of hell, missing out on God's favor, and purpose for your life, it's unavoidably attached to anxiety. Being in the gray or the uncertain is to be avoided at great costs. The reason being the belief that it is possible to do life wrong unless you're careful to take care of your imperfections and moral failings. Black-and-white thinking becomes a tool to ease anxiety and avoid divine judgment. Perfectionism, in turn, becomes a way to ease fears of failure and inadequacy. If you are seeking support to navigate these challenges, consider exploring our services at Therapy on Fig. where we provide a safe and understanding space for healing and growth.
Developmental Gaps Due to Religious Trauma
In the context of religious teachings, where there is a separation of the mind and body. The body is pathologized as "flesh" that can't be trusted or needs to be disciplined and corrected. It blocks access to your internal experience of trauma which is often stored in your body. Access to your body and the ability to tune into how you feel is necessary to maintain your natural intuition. Without access to your innate intuition, you miss out on learning how to work with your emotions. As well as how to relate to yourself and others, and make confident choices throughout life without outsourcing them to others or a divine being.
Work Through Your Religious Trauma with Therapy on Fig in Los Angeles, CA Today!
Religious trauma is an unsettling and potentially unraveling topic to broach. It carries implications for your relationships, life choices, and identities. It is, however, an area worth treating with patience, permission for curiosity and understanding, and with a trauma-informed lens. Here at Therapy on Fig, we can help you deal with your religious trauma through Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA. All of our trauma therapists provide a highly tailored approach to include your unique identities, personality, and cultural background. Follow the steps below to begin with us:
Reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Speak with a compassionate trauma therapist.
Move forward from your religious trauma today!
Other Therapy Services Offered at Therapy on Fig in Los Angeles, Highland Park, and throughout California
At Therapy on Fig, we provide a comprehensive range of therapy services to address the impact of religious trauma through Trauma Therapy in Los Angeles, CA as well as Highland Park and throughout California. We also offer other therapeutic services to address other needs such as Anxiety, Depression, and grief. Our commitment is to provide personalized and compassionate care. This empowers you to embark on a transformative journey toward healing. Reach out to Therapy on Fig today to take the first step toward reclaiming your mental and emotional well-being.
Sharon Yu is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is a trauma-informed therapist and approaches her clients with a non-pathological lens, believing it's worthwhile to find the legitimacy behind stigmatized behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Finding capacity for our most rejected parts can bring restoration and healing.