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.