What is religious trauma?
Religious abuse involves using religious beliefs, authority, or practices to control, manipulate, shame, or harm others. Common characteristics include: rigid dogma enforced through fear; spiritual shaming or guilt; punishment or ostracism for questioning leaders or doctrine; coercive control by religious authority figures; silencing of personal boundaries and autonomy; enforced secrecy or gaslighting about abuses; isolation from outside support; sexual or financial exploitation framed as sacred duty; and confusing spiritual growth with obedience to abusive demands.
What can therapy do for you?
Therapy supports recovery by: validating spiritual pain while separating faith from abuse; restoring personal boundaries and autonomy; processing trauma responses (shame, fear, hypervigilance) with approaches such as Internal Family Systems and trauma-focused work; rebuilding a coherent sense of self and values; exploring safe ways to maintain, modify, or leave religious communities; addressing religiously shaped guilt and rebuilding healthy spiritual or secular meaning; strengthening relational skills and support networks; and developing relapse-prevention strategies for re-entry into faith communities or relationships. Therapy offers a confidential, nonjudgmental space to regain agency and heal from the spiritual harm caused by religious abuse.
Key elements
Relational focus: We explore how current and past relationships shape emotions, patterns, and reactions, using the therapeutic relationship as a live context for change.
Parts work (IFS): We identify and gently unblend protective and wounded parts, allowing core Self to lead, which reduces internal conflict and fosters healing.
Co-regulation: Sessions prioritize safety and paced nervous system regulation, using somatic awareness to process stored stress.
Collaborative stance: Therapy is tailored to your goals; we set clear aims, monitor progress, and adapt methods according to what helps you most.
Online or in person
I live in France in the Bassin d’Arcachon, so if you’re in my area, we can enjoy the healing power of nature with sessions at the beach or forest. No matter where you are, I’m here for you online.
How much?
60 minutes = 65 euros