Not Another Prophet: The Ethics of Therapy After Religious Trauma
Learn why ethical religious trauma therapy is crucial recovery, and how to spot a therapist who empowers instead of controls.
When someone leaves a high-control religion or spiritually abusive environment, the goal isn’t just to deconstruct old beliefs — it’s to rebuild trust in themselves. That process is sacred. And it requires a therapist who knows how to hold space without dominating it.
Unfortunately, I’ve seen far too many examples of therapists who — consciously or not — recreate the same power structures their clients are trying to heal from. They believe they’re the expert. They believe they know what’s best. Some even carry an unspoken belief that they are gifted or called to “heal” others. But here’s the problem: that dynamic mirrors the very harm that religious trauma survivors have already endured.
Therapy is not about transferring authority from a religious leader to a therapist.
It’s about putting that authority back where it belongs — within the client.
An ethical religious trauma therapist must:
Approach clients with humility and curiosity, not certainty.
Stay deeply attuned to power dynamics in the room.
Avoid spiritual bypassing or promoting their own spiritual views.
Remain committed to ongoing, specialized training in this niche — because religious trauma is nuanced, layered, and deeply personal.
Clients healing from religious trauma need to know:
You already have what you need to heal.
You are the expert on your life.
You are the one with the final say.
We’re just here to walk beside you — not to lead you anywhere but back home to yourself.
Are you a therapist looking for ethical support, education, and consultation in Religious Trauma? Join our Facebook Community here or listen to Mellissa on one of her guest podcast interviews here.
Get signed up for a free Faith Transition Email Journal Course.
Therapists: Sign up for my newsletter to receive free resources such as assessment tools, book lists, and trainings in providing ethical & specialized religious trauma therapy.
Clients: Reach out for your free 15 minute consultation with a trained religious trauma therapist and Inner Compass Counseling & Consultation. Or get your Faith Transition Journal if therapy is not quite what you’re looking for.
All is Well,
Mellissa Hill, MS, LPC
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