Religious trauma can shape how you see yourself, your relationships, and your sense of safety. Many people describe lingering guilt, shame, fear, or a feeling of being disconnected from their true identity (Therapist.com, n.d.). Healing is absolutely possible.

Healing from religious trauma can feel overwhelming because the messages were often woven into daily life. Many people carry shame, guilt, or fear long after stepping away. The good news is that healing is possible, and there are practical tools that help you reclaim your voice, your body, and your sense of self (Therapist.com, n.d.).

Religion often shapes more than beliefs. For many, it becomes the foundation of identity, relationships, and a sense of safety. When that foundation is rooted in fear, shame, or control, it can leave deep imprints on how we relate to others and how we see ourselves (Counseling Today, 2022).

For many people, growing up in purity culture meant being taught that their worth was tied to their sexual “purity.” You may have heard phrases like “True love waits” or been warned that even thinking about sex was sinful. In some communities, young people signed pledges, wore rings, or attended events that reinforced the message that their value depended on staying “pure” until marriage (Samantha, 2021).

Leaving a faith tradition or beginning to question long-held beliefs can feel like standing on shifting ground. One moment you may feel relief and freedom, the next you may feel grief, guilt, or fear. This process is often called deconstruction—taking apart the beliefs you were given so you can see what still fits and what no longer does (LifeSpring Counseling, n.d.).

When most people hear the word trauma, they think of car accidents, war, or natural disasters. What often gets overlooked is that trauma can also come from belief systems and communities of faith. If you grew up in an environment where fear, shame, or rigid rules shaped how you thought, felt, or behaved, you may carry wounds that are every bit as real (Therapist.com, n.d.).

Anxiety can feel like an ever-present hum in the background of life — something that doesn’t just consume your mind, but your body as well. It might feel like a tight chest, a racing mind, and a sense of ominous foreboding or dread. While many can experience anxiety on its own, it can commonly be rooted in unresolved trauma.

I often receive questions from clients like, "How do I give myself the best chance of seeing progress? What can I do to help ensure my treatment is fruitful? How do I begin to see change?" To which, I usually respond by explaining that this very question reflects a mindset that will be incredibly supportive for growth as it shows an understanding of your active role in the process.

You might be able to imagine what it feels like as an anxious stream of thoughts loops around in your head. Maybe your chest feels tight, your breath gets shallow, and suddenly the room feels a few degrees warmer. You may think “It’s just anxiety- I don’t need to worry about this” yet, the cycle continues. What if the key to stopping the loop isn’t more thinking—but more feeling?

A licensed clinical social worker with a wealth of experience, Alexia Eller, LCSW, uses her background in trauma recovery and mental health to inspire and educate through her writing. Her work with diverse populations provides the foundation for the insights shared in this blog along with training in EMDR and ART. 

If you have heard of both Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), you may wonder whether they are similar or how they differ.

Trauma treatment is most effective when addressing conners with both body and mind. Learn is a list of practices you can use to strengthen your mind-body connection outside of therapy.

With years of experience supporting individuals facing trauma, mental health challenges, and substance use concerns, Alexia Eller, LCSW, uses her expertise to guide readers toward healing. Her work with first responders and victims of crime provides a unique perspective that shines through in her blogs.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Alexia Eller, LCSW, has dedicated her career to helping individuals heal from trauma and navigate mental health challenges. Her extensive work with first responders and crime survivors gives her blogs a unique perspective on resilience and growth.

Fear is a double edged sword, having an impact on the human behaviors and mental health; it can serve as important to adapt to circumstances but also can be misplaced and create maladaptive consequences regarding decision making (5). Managing the fear of the unknown can be an everyday struggle, sometimes we don’t know which way to turn or how to cope with it. However there are several effective strategies to cope with it. The fear of uncertainty can create feelings of anxiety and discomfort, but it's possible to build resilience and develop healthier ways to approach it.

Do you ever feel like you lack sleep and that it is fueling your anxiety in several ways? A lack of sleep can significantly fuel anxiety in several ways. Grasping for mental clarity while your mind is teetering on no sleep and the precipice of panic can cause major stress. 

Polyvagal Theory is a psychological and physiological framework developed by Dr. Stephen Porges that focuses on the role of the vagus nerve in regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and its impact on emotional and social behavior. It emphasizes how the body's physiological states affect our ability to connect, respond to stress, and maintain overall health.

Being a parent can come with various ins and outs that can be predicted and some can be curveballs. When it comes to teens, they experience a wide variety of emotions on a daily and weekly basis with circumstances that impact their thoughts and actions. Encouraging emotional awareness in teens as a parent is crucial for helping them understand and manage their feelings, build empathy, and improve their relationships. (3)

Recognizing trauma responses in everyday life can be an important step in understanding how past traumatic experiences affect present behaviors, emotions, and interactions. Often trauma responses can be subconscious and manifest in different ways, depending on the type of trauma and how the individual copes. Understanding how they can show up subtly or in more overt ways, can be a crucial part of  healing.