Many of you know I work with a lot of people recovering from harm done in religious spaces.
From high control groups to cults and rebuilding identity, it’s a big topic. I’ve spoken in many places about my own story too.
I’m not anti-God, anti-church or anti-religion however these are defined for people. I’m anti-fundamentalism and opposed to the controlling and abusive nature of many religious spaces. Not all, but enough to give us pause.
I have experienced this and carry many, many stories of pain and the fallout from this sort of harm. It can live in our bodies as trauma.
In my Substack on Tuesday, I wrote that when I started to have doubts about my very certain, deeply formative faith and began to lose my confidence in church, I had dial-up internet and a flip phone. I felt isolated and alone.
I can only imagine what a relief if would have been to know there were people close to home experiencing the same thing and find connection and solidarity in that.
So all these years later, it’s a great feeling to have just launched The Religious Trauma Collective (Australia & New Zealand)!
Counsellors Sam Sellers, Elise Heerde and I have been working on it for months and now it’s here. Find a book, a podcast or a therapist! We’ve just put it out into our networks and we’re excited to start growing the registry of support. We’ve had great feedback so far. “This is SO needed” “I wish something like this had existed when I started going through this.”
We love the idea of community and connection. We have hope that things can be different.
Love you to follow us on Facebook or Instagram and if you’re working in this space you can join us here.
If you’re struggling with the impact of religious trauma or high control religion, reach out. I see clients online Australia wide & in Marrickville in-person.
