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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.

What It Means to Be an Ethical Religious Trauma Therapist

Ethical Religious Trauma Therapy

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What struck me most in this season wasn’t just the drama (although wow), but the unconscious suppression baked into the culture. These women are navigating a deeply internalized system that they don’t even realize they’re still in. And if you’ve ever wondered why the stricter the parent, the wilder the kid—or why people seem to manifest the very behaviors they’re trying to avoid—welcome to the psychological funhouse that is internalized repression.

What The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Tells Us About Suppression, Shame, and the Psyche

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The Myth of Constant Growth Deconstructing Progression; Real Growth Happens In the Present Moment. In the therapy room, I often hear clients say some version of: “I just feel like I should be further along by now.” It’s usually accompanied by shame, frustration, and exhaustion. They’re doing “the work”—reading, journaling, showing up to sessions—but still feel like […]

Deconstructing Progression; Real Growth Happens In the Present Moment

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When “Safety” Becomes a Stumbling BlockIf you’ve left a high-control religion, you might equate safety with peace. Safety feels warm, predictable, and protective—especially after living in a system that shamed or punished risk-taking. But healing isn’t about staying safe forever. It’s about learning when and how to take wise risks. Why Wise Risks Matter in Healing […]

Safety is Not the Answer; Taking Wise Risks in Healing Religious Trauma

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Mellissa grew up in Southern California in a large family, heavily involved in high control conservative religion. She went on to attend college at Brigham Young University-Idaho where she studied sociology and family studies. She then spent 10 years as a stay at home parent. Life pivoted for Mellissa when she experienced a divorce and faith transition and began her own work in therapy.

She spent 5 years as an educator while obtaining her masters degree in professional counseling. She has spent the last 4 years specializing her practice to help others going through major unexpected life transitions, finding healing in the present moment and creating futures that align with their core values. Mellissa’s personal experiences, combined with her specialized expertise and focused study, create a uniquely supportive and effective clinical practice for individuals navigating major life transitions.

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