The Best Religious Trauma Therapist Near Me & Online [Review]. Christian Trauma Counseling

If you, unfortunately, have gone through or are currently going through the struggles of religious trauma you may be asking yourself, “how can I find a religious trauma therapist near me?”

Therapists specializing in religious trauma can be somewhat difficult to find but faithfulcounseling.com aims to help fix that problem.

Faithful Counseling is a subsidiary of BetterHelp and specializes in religious trauma counseling, more specifically, Christian trauma counseling.

Faithful Counseling understands that an in-person therapy environment can be more stressful for you and can vastly limit your options for finding a good therapist, which is why they specifically offer access to online therapy.

What is Religious Trauma?

While Faithful Counseling is a service that offers primarily Christian trauma counseling, it’s important to understand that religious trauma doesn’t necessarily have to be about the religion of Christianity.

Religious Trauma Syndrome or RTS can arise when a person is struggling with leaving an authoritarian religion or a faith-based community, as well as the struggles of currently being involved in them.

Many times, being in a community where most see their religion as the only right way and everyone who thinks otherwise is “misguided”, can lead to a lot of emotional manipulation and abuse for the nonbelievers.

Religious trauma counseling aims to help support people who have been abused in these religious circles and allow them to rediscover better ways of thinking.

What Are The Symptoms of Religious Trauma?

Many different symptoms may arise for one who has struggled with religious trauma;

• Guilt and Shame: One of the main symptoms of religious trauma syndrome includes prevalent symptoms of guilt and shame, especially when having thoughts about things against your religion or past religion. Because of the common authoritarian tactic of using fear to push beliefs, people who have been through religious trauma may have persistent feelings of going to hell when they do or think of things that their religion has deemed sinful, which can severely impact their day-to-day activities and friend groups.

• Difficulty When Making Decisions: One who has gone through religious trauma may also find it extremely difficult to make decisions for themselves, as they’re not only focusing on their decision, but also a higher power’s opinion or the people who raised them into this authoritative way of thought religion.

• Sense of Isolation: Another main symptom of being in an authoritative religion or community is isolation. Communities like this can isolate you from other cultures and faiths, making you feel unconnected from the world around you. Even more, difficulty may arise when leaving as you may be completely unfamiliar with mainstream culture and customs as you were blocked from participating in it for so long.

• Poor Personal Boundaries: Being under a faith-based community for so long can lead to having poor interpersonal boundaries with others as you have been told to always listen to the leaders of that group, sometimes with no other explanation besides “that’s just the way it is” and punished for thinking for yourself.

• Lack of self-confidence: In abusive faith-based environments it is common to punish people for having any thoughts that go out of line with the chosen way of thinking. When you are constantly being told something is wrong with you or punished for asking questions, this can be of severe detriment to your self-esteem.

• Sexual dysfunction: The controlling aspect of abusive faith communities also extends to sexuality. Saying that LGBTQIA+ ways of life are wrong, not allowing cisgender people to talk to the opposite sex unless married, or using extreme punishment when sexual thoughts and wants arise, can lead to one resenting sexual activity or being unable to actively participate in it.

Why Choose Faith Counseling for religious trauma counseling?

Faith Counseling is the best therapy provider for Christian trauma counseling as it connects people struggling with Christian-based trauma to licensed therapists that also share a Christian background.

In situations like these, it can be comforting to trauma sufferers to talk to someone that is familiar with their beliefs and way of life.

Faith Counseling is extremely professional and aims to help clients’ overall well-being, according to their website their goal is to make their clients feel “mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy.”

You may be struggling to find therapists specializing in religious trauma located near you, but Faith Counseling alleviates that problem.

No longer do you have to spend hours searching “religious trauma therapist near me” on Google, their website will give you access to therapists located all around the country.

How Does Faithful Counseling Work?

Faithful Counseling conveniently operates as a monthly subscription service. The cost of therapy on the website will range from about CAD 80-CAD 110 per week, and is billed to you every 4 weeks.

The cost of therapy will depend on a variety of factors such as your location, preferences for your therapist, and the therapist’s availability. You can communicate with your therapist in a couple of different ways.

Depending on your preference you can try video chatting or phone calls, and in addition to that, you can message your therapist anytime.

Who are Faith Counseling Therapists?

All therapists at Faithful Counseling are either accredited psychologists (PhD/PsyD), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT) or licensed professional therapists (LPC).

They have all been accredited by their state’s professional board, and while experience varies, every therapist has at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of experience.

Real Faithful Counseling Therapists

Jessica Russel (LCSW): Jessica ties scripture into her sessions and is extremely welcoming. She offers compassion and knowledge to help you succeed.

William Beeves (LMFT): William will coach and provide you with techniques and guidance. He will empathize with you and ensure you feel validated.

Skiy Mitchell (LPC): Skiy is able to quickly address core issues and form a plan for the future. She provides clear direction on where the therapy is going and will lead you to a better you in a clear and reassuring manner.

Whether you’re struggling with Christian trauma and looking to exit the religion, or just need like-minded people to talk to about your negative experiences, religious trauma counseling with Faith Counseling will be of benefit to both you and your mental health.