The  Blog

When Political Violence Becomes Collective Trauma Why So Many Nervous Systems Are on Edge Right Now Another politically driven murder doesn’t land as “just news.” It lands in the body. Even for people who aren’t watching closely. Even for people who don’t want to engage. Even for people who are tired of caring. When violence […]

I’ve been watching The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and a lot of it feels familiar to me. I’ve spent years working with people who grew up in Mormon culture, and many of the relationship patterns on the show mirror what clients describe in real life. Mormon culture puts a strong focus on roles, image, […]

Body Shame: A Therapist’s Reflection on Modesty and Purity Culture I’m a trauma therapist in Gilbert, Arizona, and much of my work focuses on religious trauma, particularly within the LDS church culture. Over the years, I’ve worked with many women who struggle with body shame, even when they can’t immediately point to where it started. […]

Emotional Shutdown in Relationships: Understanding Shame Collapse in Men Written by: Ashley Kirkpatrick, LAC Working with men in therapy has made something unmistakably clear: men feel deeply, often far deeper than anyone realizes. Many carry heavy burdens and intense emotions, yet they don’t feel safe, permitted, or equipped to talk about them. For some, even […]

Leaving Mormonism: What Wicked’s “Bubble” Song Teaches About Faith Transitions In Wicked, the song “Thank Goodness” includes a moment where Glinda reflects on life inside the “bubble.” It’s meant to sound light and celebratory, but the metaphor underneath is more complex. The bubble represents safety, certainty, and insulation from conflict or doubt. For many people […]

People Pleasing in Relationships: How The Fawn Response and Religious Trauma Turn Love Into Obligation Author: Ashley Kirkpatrick LAC “I don’t know what love is without fear attached to it.” That’s what Evan said in our session as he stared at his hands, struggling to explain why he felt so anxious in his relationship. He […]

Written by Ashley Kirkpatrick, LAC Intuition vs. Nervous System Response inReligious Trauma: How to Tell the Difference It’s a quiet Friday morning. Clients aren’t until this afternoon and I just finished watching adocumentary about the Mormon church. It was not heartwarming—it was terrifying. I suddenlyfound myself urgently wanting to take action. I didn’t just want […]

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 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.

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 […]