Treating Religious Trauma

You don’t have to be an expert in religion to treat religious trauma.

Clients who have experienced religious harm often come to therapy with anxiety, shame, panic, depression, sexual repression, and any number of other symptoms, while also feeling deeply conflicted that the source of their suffering was the very belief system that was supposed to provide safety, meaning, and belonging.

Therapist and theologian Ann Russo knows that clinicians do not need to know every doctrine or faith tradition to treat the complex challenges associated with religious trauma. What they need is a shared vocabulary and a proven framework that meets clients where they are, treating the core injury, not just the resulting symptoms.

This is what the Religious Trauma Treatment Model (RTTM) introduced in this book does. Filled with real-world case examples from a variety of faith traditions, it will show you how to:

• Address moral injury, loss of autonomy, and nervous system disruption caused by high-control religious systems
• Prioritize the safety, agency, and moral autonomy of each client
• Help clients rebuild self-trust and set sustainable boundaries for themselves

Whether a client chooses to leave their faith tradition, continue practicing their faith, or build a new spiritual foundation for themselves, let this book help you navigate these challenges alongside them with compassion and confidence.