Religious Trauma Therapy in san francisco, ca
FREEDOM IS WITHIN REACH
Religion is often seen as a supportive factor.
But can you relate?
You’re not sure who you are without religion.
Guilt and fear are your only constants.
In the secular world, you feel like a misfit.
The “big questions” of life are suddenly unanswered.
“What if you weren’t rebelling- you were finally remembering your power?”
About Religious Trauma
My practice has a special focus on religious trauma. You may identify as a survivor of a high-control religion. Or you may simply recognize that some part of your religious experience has had a negative impact on you.
How can religion lead to trauma? Religious trauma can develop from abuse by religious leaders or other people in authority. Other harmful experiences can include intimidation, sexism, homophobia, and having to conform to strict rules or standards.
Each person’s experience of religion is different, and what one person perceives as non-traumatic, another may experience as traumatic. What’s important to consider is how it is impacting you. If you are experiencing symptoms like anxiety, low mood, or difficulty sleeping, you may be in a trauma response.
Although you may recognize your religion is hurting you, it can feel scary to step away. Re-thinking your faith can be challenging. It can lead to a loss of meaning, identity, and community. So how can religious trauma therapy help?
My Approach to Religious Trauma Therapy in San Francisco
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The first phase of treatment focuses on re-establishing safety and autonomy. This can look like addressing hypervigilance and emotional dysregulation.
It can also look like helping you gain confidence. Sometimes the first step is simply understanding your likes and dislikes. I empower you to make decisions to enrich your wellbeing.
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The second phase of recovery is remembrance. This may look like identifying positive aspects of your religious experience. It may mean grieving losses. Perhaps you’ve had to leave certain relationships behind or negotiate new boundaries. That’s hard! But you don’t have to do it alone.
Remembrance also means developing a meaningful story of what you have been through. Here, we can address shame. We can examine the stories you tell yourself about you and your role in the traumatic experience. I’ll help you identify what you learned from the experience and how you’ve grown from it.
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The third stage of recovery is reconnection. This means both with yourself and others. Reconnection with yourself looks like clarifying your personal identity and values. Your religion probably told you what your future should look like. We can figure out what you want it to look like. This process can also involve developing a healthy sense of spirituality.
Connecting with others is another important component to recovery. You might feel like an “outsider” in the secular world and even struggle with social anxiety. Or you may have difficulty trusting others after what you have been through. We can address these barriers to you being a part of community.
ABOUT KARINA BARRETTO, LPCC
Hi, my name is Karina, and I’m a trauma therapist in San Francisco. Experiencing trauma can make you feel isolated, but you are not alone. I understand the ways trauma can manifest in the mind and body.
The human nervous system is incredibly resilient when given the opportunity to recover. Therapy provides a healthy attachment relationship and tools to cope with symptoms. If you’re ready to start your healing journey, schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Religious Trauma Therapy San Francisco FAQS
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Signs of religious trauma show up in many areas. Emotional signs of religious trauma include anxiety, depression, grief, and loneliness. Another emotional sign is loss of identity. Cognitive signs include rigid thinking and perfectionism. You may also struggle with negative views of yourself. Social signs include difficulty forming relationships, including friendships and romantic relationships.
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Religious trauma can take away sense of self- or prevent it from developing in the first place. Without a sense of self, it’s difficult to make independent decisions. Or even know what you like or don’t like. Religious trauma can make it difficult to embrace parts of yourself- such as an LGBTQ+ identity.
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No, I do not view religion as bad. In therapy, I don’t impose any viewpoints or values on you. My goal is not to “convert” you to any religion. Similarly, I don’t aim to persuade you to leave a religion or become an atheist. I provide a safe space to help you identify your own viewpoints and values.
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Yes! You may be questioning your religion or the impact it is having on you. You don’t have to leave it to get support. You can rest assured that I will not try to convince you to leave your religion. What I will do is help you process your emotions and clarify your needs.
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It certainly can be! EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a treatment for PTSD. Many people find it is a helpful component to their recovery. EMDR provides a structured way to process traumatic experiences. It helps reduce symptoms like hypervigilance and flashbacks.
