What is Religious Trauma?
About Religious Trauma
Where We See Religious Trauma
Where We See Religious Trauma
Religious trauma is the use of scripture, doctrine, or beliefs in ways that cause a person to feel guilt, shame or fear. It impacts people within the faith community and those who have never set foot in a church.
Whole Soul is a safe space for everyone. A unique blend of secular counseling concepts and a belief that everyone deserves pea
Religious trauma is the use of scripture, doctrine, or beliefs in ways that cause a person to feel guilt, shame or fear. It impacts people within the faith community and those who have never set foot in a church.
Whole Soul is a safe space for everyone. A unique blend of secular counseling concepts and a belief that everyone deserves peace and happiness, I want you to find your peace and joy.
Where We See Religious Trauma
Where We See Religious Trauma
Where We See Religious Trauma
Religious trauma takes many forms.
From grief being compounded with platitudes about God needing another angel, to illness and natural disasters being blamed on perceived sin, to religious shaming over infertility or the choice to be childfree, to the fear of hell being instilled at a young age, to the interference of relatives on the gro
Religious trauma takes many forms.
From grief being compounded with platitudes about God needing another angel, to illness and natural disasters being blamed on perceived sin, to religious shaming over infertility or the choice to be childfree, to the fear of hell being instilled at a young age, to the interference of relatives on the grounds of 'respect your elders' or 'blood is thicker than water', religious trauma can deeply impact your self worth and ability to find joy in life.
How I Can Help You
Where We See Religious Trauma
How I Can Help You
Whole Soul is focused on helping people of all faiths and people of no faith recognize religious trauma and the ways it may negatively be impacting their lives and relationships. The goal is not to 'get people back to church', the goal is healing and moving forward into a more positive future free of the guilt, shame and fear that may be holding them back from living their best, happiest lives.
Questions Answered
What Started It All.......
What Started It All.......
What Started It All.......
A beloved congregation member asked to see me after worship. While talking, we found the tree in the forest that was causing the other problems to snowball: his finances. I started asking questions, scratched out a spreadsheet, helped him make a short term plan and set long terms goals. When we finished, he looked at me wide-eyed and said
A beloved congregation member asked to see me after worship. While talking, we found the tree in the forest that was causing the other problems to snowball: his finances. I started asking questions, scratched out a spreadsheet, helped him make a short term plan and set long terms goals. When we finished, he looked at me wide-eyed and said, "I didn't expect you to actually help me!", because we sadly don't expect much from clergy.
That was my 'lightbulb moment' that I wanted to actually help people live better lives, because we all are filled with a divine light that needs to shine.
My Coaching Philosophy
What Started It All.......
What Started It All.......
After my conversation (to the left), I began thinking about how to be more effective in my pastoral care. In seminary and ministry trainings, we are pretty much taught to listen to someone for 20 minutes, tell them we are sorry for what they are going through, say a prayer for God to magically fix it, and send them on their way. I needed
After my conversation (to the left), I began thinking about how to be more effective in my pastoral care. In seminary and ministry trainings, we are pretty much taught to listen to someone for 20 minutes, tell them we are sorry for what they are going through, say a prayer for God to magically fix it, and send them on their way. I needed more.
I earned a Certification in Spirituality of Children and Youth to better encourage young people, I completed a Coaching Certificate to learn to ask better questions, and a Certificate in Religious Trauma designed for therapists to better understand how religion has negatively impacted the lives of so many.
My coaching is a blend of spirituality, counseling concepts, and compassion. Let me listen to your struggles, successes and dreams, and guide you in finding purpose, peace, and fulfillment.
But I'm An Atheist....
What Started It All.......
But I'm An Atheist....
That's ok, you still have core values and visions for your life, and a history to process (and probably a relative who won't stop pestering you about church or going to hell).
This is not religious counseling in that we read scripture, say a prayer, and hope for the best. We do hope for the best, but the best needs a plan and discernment
That's ok, you still have core values and visions for your life, and a history to process (and probably a relative who won't stop pestering you about church or going to hell).
This is not religious counseling in that we read scripture, say a prayer, and hope for the best. We do hope for the best, but the best needs a plan and discernment and thoughtful engagement with how our history and generational trauma impact our present and future.
Chances are, you've been hurt by people of faith, possibly family members, who should be the ones to love and protect us from harm. It takes courage and vulnerability to trust a person of faith (me) to provide you with care. I understand and respect the vulnerability you are coming to me with. My focus is healing and encouraging you to live your best life. No hidden agenda, I promise.