Andrew Kerbs

Practitioner,  He/Him/His

SPECIALTIES

I work with individuals navigating deconstruction, religious trauma, life transitions, and existential challenges. I also support clients in healing from purity culture and adverse religious experiences, engaging in grief work, and rediscovering their identity. I work with individuals, including children aged 6 and above, teens, and adults.

My flat rate for sessions is $165.

Growing up in a fundamentalist religious environment, including attending a religious school, instilled a deep fear and anxiety in me from an early age. I was taught that to truly love Jesus, I had to be prepared to face persecution, even death, for my faith. If I wasn’t willing to do so, it meant I didn’t love Jesus enough—or worse, that I wasn’t truly saved. These teachings created immense pressure and trauma that shaped my childhood and adolescence. After high school, I made the “rebellious” decision to attend a state school instead of a religious one, which marked the beginning of my deconstruction journey. Graduate school deepened my healing process as I began to unpack the lasting effects of my upbringing.

Though I’m still on my own journey of healing and deconstruction, I now use my personal experiences to support others who are navigating similar challenges. I especially enjoy working with young and middle-aged adults who are processing trauma, adverse religious experiences, and identity struggles as they deconstruct their faith. My coaching approach is rooted in Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, grief work, and somatic-based trauma modalities. I’ve also found healing through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which I view as both a spiritual and body-centered practice. It’s a privilege to hold space for clients as they reconnect with their bodies, redefine their identities, and build meaningful lives rooted in authenticity and freedom.

When I’m not working, you’ll often find me re-watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended edition, of course!) or reading non-therapy books like history, theology, poetry, and fiction. I’m passionate about motorcycles, snowboarding, and backpacking—anything that gets me outdoors and immersed in nature. I also enjoy a good IPA beer, a small rebellion against the strict rules of my childhood faith.

Some of the resources that have deeply impacted my own healing journey include:

• The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which profoundly shaped my relationship with my father

• Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong by Kelly Wilson, a practical guide to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy that has influenced both my personal and professional life

• And, of course, everything Brené Brown has ever written or said continues to inspire me

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University (2017)

  
  

  
  

  
  

Instagram

@deconstruct_everything

Podcast Co-Host: Sunday School Dropouts

Daniel Miller

 Practitioner, He/Him/His

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in helping clients process the emotional and psychological effects of religious trauma, including guilt, shame, fear, and identity confusion. I work with individuals and families navigating faith deconstruction, the legacies of purity culture, LGBTQ+ identity and allyship, parenting, loss of community and shared meaning, professional ministry transitions, and evolving experiences of masculinity. My approach is collaborative and client-centered, tailoring our work to meet each person’s unique goals and helping them find a sense of safety and belonging in their bodies and the world around them. I meet with adult individuals, LGBTQ+ teens and their parents.

My flat rate for sessions is $165.

I grew up fully immersed in American evangelicalism, where I was a true believer, striving to embody the ideals my religious tradition prescribed. After earning my undergraduate degree from a Southern Baptist college, I pursued a Master of Divinity from a Southern Baptist seminary and served as a pastor in a conservative evangelical church for five years. During this time, I began questioning the doctrines I once upheld, particularly as I affirmed social justice issues and supported LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. These shifts ultimately led me to leave evangelicalism almost two decades ago.

Leaving ministry was both liberating and disorienting, but it also opened the door for deeper exploration. I pursued further academic studies, earning a Ph.D. in religious studies, which gave me critical tools to analyze the complex dynamics of religious identity and its societal impacts. My journey also led me to co-found the Straight White American Jesus podcast, where I explore the intersections of religion, culture, and politics and connect with others recovering from religious trauma in spaces like evangelicalism, Mormonism, and conservative Catholicism. These experiences have shaped my passion for helping clients heal from religious harm, rediscover their values, and rebuild meaningful lives rooted in authenticity and freedom.

My personal and professional experiences have taught me the importance of compassion, curiosity, and the transformative power of healing. It’s a privilege to walk alongside others as they reclaim their lives and rediscover what brings them joy, connection, and meaning.

When I’m not working or co-hosting Straight White American Jesus, I enjoy spending time with my kids, rooting for the Denver Broncos, and unwinding with video games. Baking is another creative outlet for me—I have a sweet tooth and love experimenting with bread and pastries.

Some of the most meaningful resources in my journey include:

Books:

• Shameless: A Sexual Reformation by Nadia Bolz-Weber

• Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free by Linda Kay Klein

• White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones

• In an Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Podcasts:

• Holy Heretics by Gary Alan Taylor

• Uncertain by Katherine Spearing

• Holy Hurt by Hillary McBride

• Doctor of Philosophy in Religion, Syracuse University (2008)

• Master of Philosophy in Religion, Syracuse University (2005)

• Master of Studies in Theology, Oxford University (2001)

• Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University (1998)

• Certification in Clinical Trauma Professional Training Levels and 1 and 2 (2022)

• Straight White American Jesus Podcast, Co-Host

• Instagram: @straightwhitejc

• Twitter: @straightwhitejc

Sherah Pettus

Associate Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I support individuals who grew up as MK’s (missionary kids) and PKs (pastors’ kids), those navigating dating and sex after Purity Culture, and couples managing marriage during or after deconstruction. I also work with individuals reconnecting to themselves, navigating grief, and establishing healthy boundaries. I work with adult individuals.

My flat rate is $135 for individual sessions and $240 for 90-minute couples sessions

My healing journey didn’t follow the traditional path of deconstruction; instead, it began when I started noticing how the church spaces I had been part of my entire life perpetuated systems of harm. While I existed in privileged spaces as a white woman, I began to see the deep impacts of patriarchy, misogyny, capitalism, racism, and systemic oppression in the church—and how those same systems were harming me and others. As I became more educated in these areas, I was able to name the patterns of harm I had experienced and witnessed in ministry spaces, which completely transformed my faith. It became a liberating, justice-oriented faith that prioritized freedom, equity, and love.

This process shaped my unique approach to working with clients. I focus on identifying patterns of harm, integrating boundaries, redefining self-care, and cultivating self-trust. I believe that the foundation of a full, beautiful life begins with healing our relationship with ourselves. It is my honor to walk alongside clients as they move toward freedom, whether that means reimagining their faith or stepping into something entirely different. My work draws on approaches like Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, and values-based interventions to help clients reconnect with themselves and create lives rooted in authenticity and trust.

My favorite days are cool and rainy, perfect for curling up with a cozy blanket and a good fantasy novel (I’m a big Sarah J. Maas fan!) I love comfy clothes, cool weather, and my ever-growing collection of over 15 plants, which are slowly taking over my home. I’m also a sucker for personality tests—Myers-Briggs: INTJ, Enneagram: 5, DISC: CD—and love learning about myself and others through them.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy cooking and trying new foods, spending time with my family, and taking breaks to binge-read or watch a favorite series. I believe in finding joy in small, meaningful moments and continue to explore what it means to live a life full of love, connection, and authenticity.

Some of my favorite resources include:

• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab

• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman

• The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Gregoire

• Rootbound: A Mother’s Journey, A Daughter’s Pain by Melanie and Amanda Huggard

• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, National University (2025)

• Bachelor of Arts of Psychology, Simpson University (2019)

• Associate of Arts in Counseling, Central Baptist College (2003)

• Associate of Arts in Practical Theology, Christ for the Nations Institute (2008)

• Internship at Vancouver BC Stream Ministries – Certificate of Completion (2010)

• Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry -  Certificate of Completion (2016)

Instagram: @sherah.janell

Podcast: Get Sherah’d

Kim Johnson

Associate Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I support individuals navigating childhood trauma, religious disorientation, faith crises, deconstruction or deconversion, and major life transitions. I also work with clients around grief, meaning-making, and existential anxiety. I’m a great fit for creatives, deep feelers, highly sensitive people (HSPs), and heart-centered individuals who are seeking to cultivate a grounded life and spirituality uncoupled from adverse religious experiences. I also have experience with purity culture and prophetic culture. I see individual adults.

My flat rate for sessions is $135.

I didn’t grow up in a religious household, but when I was ten, I watched Billy Graham preach on my grandmother’s television. He warned that without being “born again,” we were all destined for hell. To my young mind, this “Good News” felt more like terrible news! While I instinctively found this message appalling, I looked around and saw my grandmother and uncle nodding in agreement. At that moment, I decided I must be the one who’s wrong! I said the prayer silently, and that marked the beginning of my life as a church-going, “on-fire,” devout Christian. By my mid-20s, I was a worship leader, youth pastor, and internationally recognized recording artist. But somewhere along the way, I realized my faith was built on fear and shame. I was numb to the ways religion was harming me—and others. When my faith finally crumbled at age 26, my world cracked open, and the healing process began.

Tending to the “little me” who succumbed to self-abandonment instead of running from my grandmother’s living room has been a central part of my healing journey. A life-altering depression and the birth of my first daughter opened the door to deeper self-awareness. Over time, I recognized that the harms of my religious experiences were still imprinted in my body. Diagnosed with c-PTSD, I struggled with chronic fatigue and experienced the collapse of my marriage. Healing began when I embraced practices like yoga (despite my upbringing’s warnings against it!) and learned to listen to the wisdom of my body. Slowly, I began to soften around the constriction I felt, befriend the terrible feelings, and trust myself again. These practices allowed my trauma to thaw and opened a path to reclaiming my life.

My own journey inspires me to hold space for others navigating similar tender terrain. I use somatic embodiment techniques to help clients reconnect with their inner knowing, address past wounds, and build inner resilience. I also incorporate expressive writing, guided meditation, and simple rituals into my work when it aligns with the client’s needs. I am passionate about helping clients reconnect with their innate wisdom and move toward lives filled with meaning, authenticity, and joy. It is an honor to walk alongside others on their healing journeys.

I live on an island along the wild west coast of Canada, where I spend time each day immersed in nature—whether wandering the forest, sitting by the river, or walking along the ocean. I recently discovered the term “ecstatic wanderer,” and it feels like the perfect description of how I experience the world. I’m the mother of two nearly-grown daughters, the owner of two cats, and the proud companion of a sweet Bernese Mountain dog.

In my free time, I write and perform music under the name Kim June Johnson, experiment with cyanotype printing, and host an online writing practice called “Cozy Sunday Write-Ins” during the winter. I also teach yoga and mindfulness in my small community. My creativity, connection with nature, and spiritual practices are all key to my ongoing healing and growth.

Some of my favorite resources include:

• The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck

• Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

• Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience by Sharon Salzberg

• The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller

• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

• Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT)

• Certified Practitioner of Focalizing (CPF)

• Integrative Somatic Parts Work Certificate

Instagram

@healing.ground.embodiment

CTRR Blog

Hello Dear Body

To Journey and Be Transformed: Three Books That Helped

Terri Allred

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in co-occurring religious, relational, and sexual trauma, with a particular focus on clergy misconduct. My approach integrates somatic and energy healing, uncovering and re-patterning unconscious beliefs that can block healing, and establishing compassionate boundaries. I am dedicated to helping individuals cultivate self-compassion throughout their healing journeys. I see adult individuals.

My flat rate for sessions is $165.

My journey through the complexities of religious trauma shapes my empathetic approach to recovery. Growing up in high-control religious environments, I tied my self-worth to self-sacrifice, often neglecting my own needs. A pivotal moment in high school, marked by a sexual assault, intensified these feelings of isolation and shame rooted in rigid teachings. As a leader in Young Life, I witnessed manipulative tactics used to control individuals, which led me to question traditional religious systems and deconstruct harmful dualistic views, particularly regarding women.

With extensive experience as a crisis counselor, medical and legal advocate, and therapist, I employ a trauma-informed coaching approach that creates a safe space for clients to heal and thrive. My work focuses on calming the nervous system, fostering emotional understanding, and managing energy to prevent overwhelm. Together, we explore intuition, address limiting beliefs, and establish healthy boundaries. I am passionate about guiding individuals through the transformative process of healing from spiritual trauma, empowering them to reconnect with their inner strength and cultivate self-compassion for lasting change.

I have a deep love for water—whether it’s being in it, listening to it, or simply witnessing its beauty. As a proud parent of four children, two of whom are furry companions, I find joy in the simple pleasures of life. You can often catch me dancing in the kitchen, grocery store, or anywhere the music moves me. If I had to choose a favorite treat, it would undoubtedly be mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Traveling fills my heart with excitement, but I equally cherish the cozy moments at home snuggling with my furry kids. Avidly reading between six to eight books at a time keeps my mind engaged, and I recently retired from a fulfilling 20-year career as a professional belly dancer. I also enjoy the creative outlet of throwing pottery—on the wheel, of course!

Some of the resources that have shaped my early career include:

• Is Nothing Sacred? by Marie Fortune

• Touching Our Strength by Carter Heyward

• Models of God by Sallie McFague

And more recently, I have found inspiration in:

• What Happened to You by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Oprah Winfrey

• Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana

• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristen Neff, PhD

• Master of Theological Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School (1992)

• Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Wake Forest University (1988)

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnosis Practitioner Certificate from The Alchemy Institute (2023)

• Reiki Master Teacher of the Usui Tradition (2024)

• Enneagram Certification (2022)

• The Resilient Heart ™ Trauma-Sensitive Heart Math ® Certification (2023)

• Complex Trauma Professional Training

Instagram

@allred_coaching_consulting

Facebook

Allred Consulting/Holistic Leadership Academy

Elizabeth DeVaughn

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in helping clients heal from complex and religious trauma, including dynamics of power and control in relationships, family of origin issues, and anxiety. I also have a deep passion for supporting clients navigating the unique challenges of Purity Culture recovery, exploring spirituality outside of religion, and interabled relationships. Additionally, I work with those experiencing Vystopia—a term describing the profound grief, anger, and overwhelm many new vegans feel when confronting the exploitation of animals and the Earth. I work with adult individuals.

My flat rate for sessions is $165.

Over fifteen years ago, I found myself overwhelmed by shame, ruminating thoughts, perfectionism, and social anxiety. I was battling suicidal ideations, self-harm, strained relationships, and panic attacks that left me struggling to function. Therapy became a turning point, offering me the tools to begin unraveling the roots of my pain. I came to understand how personal trauma—marked by enmeshment, instability, and power and control in relationships—had shaped these harmful patterns. Through compassionate parts work, cognitive techniques, and body-based interventions, I began to experience real healing. I discovered that I wasn’t dysfunctional; my body had been acting with incredible brilliance, doing everything it could to help me survive.

As I moved through this journey, I slowly started to cultivate relationships that felt meaningful and safe—ones rooted in reciprocity, accountability, and resilience. I learned that fulfilling relationships are built on seeing each person as distinct and valid, developing the capacity to navigate inevitable conflicts with safety, and embracing the messy, imperfect process of repair. These lessons transformed my understanding of connection and made space within me for more secure and joyful attachments than I ever thought possible.

Over time, my healing journey expanded beyond personal growth and into the work I do with others. When working with clients, I draw from a variety of evidence-based modalities, including Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, attachment theory, experiential practices, nature-based techniques, and art-centered approaches. While these tools are central to my work, my guiding principle is Sovereignty—in stark contrast to fundamentalism, I believe that each person knows exactly what’s right for them, and that no one should ever have authority over their inner truth.

I consider my role as a coach to be one of support, not direction. My job is to help my clients uncover and trust the True North they already carry within themselves. By creating a space where clients can reconnect with their innate wisdom and autonomy, I aim to empower them to heal from harmful patterns, build meaningful relationships, and live in alignment with their deepest values. This work is grounded in the belief that liberation begins internally and ripples outward into every area of life.

I’m endlessly curious and love exploring the world around me. Whether I’m hiking with my cat (yes, you read that right!), crafting, or sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee and my husband, I feel most alive when I’m immersed in nature or creativity. I’m a proud advocate for disability rights and live as part of an interabled couple, which has shaped my perspective on relationships, resilience, and advocacy.

I’m a social introvert—I love the idea of social plans in the days leading up to them, but often find myself panicking and wanting to back out at the last minute. My spiritual connection is rooted in nature and my Celtic ancestral practices, which have helped me rediscover a sense of sovereignty and belonging. My perfect day would include an early morning hike, tea on the porch, and a witchy tea party with badass womxn, all capped off with vegan cheesecake and a few episodes of The Golden Girls.

Some of the resources that have profoundly shaped my journey include:

Books:

• Waking the Tiger by Dr. Peter Levine

• My Grandmother’s Hands by Dr. Resmaa Menakem

• Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés

• It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn

• In Defense of Witches by Mona Chollet

• Decolonizing Therapy by Dr. Jennifer Mullan

• The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

Podcasts:

• Holy Hurt by Hillary McBride

• Therapist Uncensored with Sue Marriott and Ann Kelley

• On Being with Krista Tippett

• Master of Arts in Counseling, Trevecca Nazarene University (2013)

• Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Western Kentucky University (2006)

• Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner in Training, Beginning Level II

• Level II Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples

• Level II Trained in EMDR

• Trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Website: www.elizabethdevaughn.com

Instagram: @elizabethmdevaughn

Tami Widmer

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in guiding clients through deconstruction and identity recovery, as well as supporting them with complex trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, parenthood/postpartum care, LGBTQ+ experiences, and working with military personnel/veterans and/or their partners. I meet with both adult individuals and couples.

My flat rate is $165 for individual sessions and $290 for 90-minute couples sessions.

After 25 years of being an "All-Star Christian"—raised in the church, deeply invested in my spirituality, with a Bible degree in hand and plans to be a missionary—I found myself growing increasingly weary. Tired of over-serving, of being a flawless example, and of the imposed limits I faced as a woman. As I pursued my graduate degree in counseling, I realized that the religious dogma I once internalized began to feel like it was choking me. Simultaneously, I was experiencing personal losses, and when it felt like my life was unraveling, I sought therapy to explore the pain I was experiencing within the religious system.

Through this process, the tiny, perfect box that my life once fit in blew open, and the former right answers and assurances I had clung to were no longer available to me. My deconstruction did not feel like a conscious choice, but rather a response to the gradual, intuitive movements of my soul. As I opened my heart to the world and myself for the first time, I outgrew my Christian worldview. Now, nearly a decade after my faith began dissolving, I am still healing and discovering the Wild (natural and free) woman within.

My own journey inspires the work I do with my clients. If you feel like you've lost part of your soul and are ready to recover hidden treasures that were there all along, I will voyage with you. If you are tired of sleepwalking—going through the motions of life, and want more out of life, I will explore with you. If your heart is broken and you're not sure how to heal it, I'll stand by you as it mends. If you have been hurt by religious systems, leaders, or entities and need someone to enter that space with you, I will help you find the safety to do that. Or if you don't even know where to begin, if life feels scary and unknown—you are in the right place.

I enjoy working with clients who are or have experienced trauma, adverse religious experiences (including repressed femininity, toxic masculinity, shame culture, etc.), eating disorders, loss and bereavement, depression, veterans and partners of veterans, LGBTQ+ folks, and parents (such as moms needing postpartum support). In our sessions, I pay attention to emotional and bodily cues and encourage nonjudgmental curiosity about whatever issue, emotion, or topic you are dealing with. I utilize Internal Family Systems and Somatic Experiencing techniques to help people reconnect with themselves and begin healing from the inside out. Previous clients have shared that they experience genuine warmth and empathy in our relationship. I am here to support your unique journey.

Outside of work, I'm a married mother of three, so there is never a dull moment. I feel most alive when I am outdoors, hiking and breathing. I also love painting, a good cup of coffee, training for triathlons, doing my own therapy/holistic growth (yes, I find this fun!), traveling, and a glass of wine with some Netflix & chill.

Some of the resources that have been influential in my own healing journey include:

• Time, nature, camaraderie with friends on similar journeys

• IFS and SE training and therapy

• Poetry, especially by poets David Whyte and John O’Donohue

• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

• Belonging by Toko-pa Turner

• And Bill Plotkin's books

• Master of Arts in Licensed Professional Counseling from Denver Seminary (2013)

• Multiple certificates in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and SE (Somatic Experiencing)

• Advanced training in IFIO (Intimacy From the Inside Out) for relationship work

CTRR Blog

• You Are Good

• From Fawning to Freedom: How Religious Trauma Can Impact Women

Casey Bain

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in helping clients connect more fully to their authentic selves after navigating experiences such as deconstruction, religious trauma, and childhood trauma. My areas of focus also include anxiety, OCD, and the impacts of trauma, particularly for those who identify as LGBTQ+ in non-affirming environments. I meet with both adolescents and adult individuals.

My flat rate is $165 per session.

As someone who has always been a big feeler, I have been acutely aware of the hurt and sadness in the world alongside its joy since childhood. Growing up in Evangelical Christianity, I found comfort and connection through my faith, but I also encountered the harm of purity culture and the immense pressure to conform. Over the past few years, I have undergone my own journey of deconstruction, shedding the parts of religion that I began to recognize as harmful and even traumatic.

This deep exploration into religious trauma and healthy spirituality ignited my passion for becoming more fully myself, learning to trust my body and intuition. My first experience with therapy was as a client, where I began the healing process for some of my past wounds. That transformative journey allowed me to fall in love with the therapeutic process, and I am now grateful to provide the same healing support to my clients that I once received.

Delving into people's stories, hurt, and spiritual experiences feels like a natural expression of who I am and how I connect with others. My upbringing inspires the work I do, and I find myself particularly drawn to young adults and women, as well as individuals exploring childhood trauma. I also enjoy working with clients who are deconstructing and healing from church hurt and religious trauma stemming from evangelical and fundamentalist backgrounds, as well as those exploring their sexuality. I employ various modalities, including embodiment practices and Internal Family Systems (IFS), and I absolutely love working with both children and parents alongside trauma work.

When I'm not working, you'll probably find me drinking coffee while reading my newest book, or finding a new TV show to binge—usually with a glass of wine in hand! I love routine, and creating rhythms for day-to-day life that help me connect to my own spirituality- like reading, being outside, moving my body, and spending time with the people I love.

I also enjoy exploring the world through traveling to new places, going on long walks with my dog, Milo, doing yoga, paddleboarding, and spending time outside anytime it's warm. On weekends, my partner and I love having other couples over for games and drinks, and we like doing home projects together.

Some of the resources that have been of particular influence on me are:

• The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr

• Shameless by Nadia Bolz-Weber

• Finding God in the Waves by Mike McHargue

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle

• The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen by Lisa Gungor

• And The Liturgists podcast

• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from University of North Texas (2018)

• Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems

  
  

  
  

Instagram

@unravelingfree

CTRR Blog

Religious Scrupulosity: When Religious Trauma and OCD Intersect

Nicole Clifton

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I work with individuals navigating faith deconstruction, healing from purity culture, religious trauma and adverse religious experiences, LGBTQIA+ identity, life transitions, boundaries, chronic illness and ableism, and body image challenges. My goal is to provide a supportive space for clients to reconnect with themselves, explore their identity, and move toward healing and wholeness. I see individual adults.

My flat rate for sessions is $135.

I grew up deeply immersed in the Christian church—as the quintessential “good Christian girl.” I was heavily involved in youth group, sang on the worship team, and volunteered in ministry. After high school, I chose to attend a small Christian college in an effort to take my faith even more seriously. It was during those undergrad years that cracks began forming in my faith. Changes within my family of origin and the inability of those in my religious community to hold space for my grief and pain sparked a slow burn of questioning. I wrestled with theology, God, and the Bible while navigating the ways my faith no longer aligned with what I was experiencing.

After graduation, I worked at another Christian university for nearly a decade, a time when my faith deconstruction deepened. Issues like LGBTQIA+ inclusion, racism, purity culture, fatphobia, ableism, and the toxic positivity rampant in Christian spaces became impossible to ignore. The political climate leading up to the 2016 and 2020 elections and the pandemic further fueled my questioning, forcing me to reckon with how these systems of harm intersected with the faith I had grown up in. In 2018, I began working with a therapist who created space for me to integrate what I was processing around my faith, marriage, and sexuality, much of which had been shaped by damaging messages from purity culture. Through modalities like EMDR, I learned to reconnect with my body and release the shame I had carried for so long.

These experiences profoundly shaped the work I do with clients today. I am passionate about helping others explore their identities, heal from religious trauma, and rebuild their relationships with themselves and their communities. My approach is grounded in Narrative/storywork, somatic experiencing, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, and attachment-informed interventions, allowing clients to move toward self-compassion, self-trust, and healing.

I married my college sweetheart, and I’m grateful that we’ve deconstructed together, sharing a journey of growth and change. I’m an avid reader, and the front room of my house is essentially a mini-library. I love Disney, Harry Potter, a good glass of wine, and cheesecake. While I don’t have pets, I make up for it by watching more nature documentaries than anyone I know! I also adore musical theater and grew up immersed in the performing arts—I sing, play piano, and even played violin and handbells at church growing up.

When I need comfort, you can find me re-watching shows like Schitt’s Creek, Gilmore Girls, New Girl, and Stranger Things. I’m also a big fan of personality tests: Enneagram 8w9, INFJ on Myers-Briggs, and StrengthsFinder traits like Input, Empathy, and Communication.

Some of my favorite resources include:

Music:

• “Hell Together” by David Archuleta

• “You Might Not Like Her” by Maddie Zahm

• “Jordan” by Joy Oladokun

• Preacher’s Kid by Semler

• “Believe Me” by James and the Shame

Books:

• The Body Is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle

• Pure by Linda Kay Klein

• Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

• Daring Greatly by Brené Brown

Podcasts:

• Holy Hurt with Hillary McBride

• Ear Biscuits with Rhett and Link (deconstruction episodes: 226 & 227, 275 & 276)

• Master of Science in Psychology from Grand Canyon University (2014)

• Bachelors of Science in Counseling and Ministry from Arizona Christian University (2011)

• Certificate in Somatic Trauma Therapy

Instagram

• @nicoleclifton_inyourcorner

Facebook

• Facebook: Nicole Clifton - AlwaysNYourCorner

CTRR Blog

Ditching "Good Vibes Only:" Healing from Toxic Positivity & Spiritual Bypassing

"Just Me" Is More Than Good Enough: Rebuilding Your Identity After Leaving High-Control Religion

New Me, New Us?: Navigating Relationships with Religious Family Members

Katherine Spearing

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in supporting individuals who have experienced Spiritual Abuse, Religious Trauma, Recovery from Purity Culture and Sexual Abuse, Cult Recovery, and Life Transitions. My clients are typically women recovering from Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse, and/or women exploring careers, desires, and life after systemic oppression. I also work with artists and creatives navigating the impact of high-control religion on their self-expression. I work with individual adults.

My flat rate is $135 per session.

After living most of my life in patriarchal spaces that told me I shouldn’t and couldn’t pursue higher education or a career, one of my first steps in recovery was working with a career coach to learn how to write a resume, network, and interview. To this day, I believe this is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

During graduate school, I was fortunate to access therapy for free through the interns at the school's counseling center. While the care was validating, I quickly realized I needed assistance from someone with more training in understanding the dynamics of abuse I experienced. I began seeing a trauma therapist (though I didn’t even know what that was at the time) and discovered somatic experiencing, mindfulness, grounding, and the art of listening to our bodies and emotions.

Five years later, I found myself working for a church in Los Angeles, where I uncovered a dark side that eerily resembled the cult I escaped in my 20s. After leaving this church, I went on to start Tears of Eden, a nonprofit supporting survivors of Spiritual Abuse, and I host its affiliate podcast Uncertain, which has been cited in scholarly articles, seminary papers, and PhD dissertations. While working daily with survivors, I obtained certifications in Trauma Recovery Coaching and EMDR Interventions and Techniques. I integrate both Somatic Therapy Skills and Art Therapy Skills for trauma recovery. This experience has equipped me to write a book about Spiritual Abuse titled A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts: The Subtle Insidious Nature of Spiritual Abuse and Life on the Other Side, releasing October 14, 2025.

While I work with other survivors, I continue my own healing journey. I am also a published author of a historical romantic comedy, Hartfords, which subtly and humorously challenges gender roles in patriarchal spaces. Writing, especially fiction, is cathartic and life-giving for me. I perform regularly with a local improv theater team and coach improv workshops, which serve as a fantastic outlet for releasing tension and embracing fun! I love to incorporate art and creativity into my work with clients as they feel comfortable, as I believe it can be a wonderful part of the healing process.

As a podcaster for five years, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing many amazing individuals. Those who stand out and have significantly informed my approach to religious trauma include Connie A. Baker (author of Traumatized by Religious Abuse) and Dr. Laura Anderson (When Religion Hurts You). I’ve welcomed them both onto the show multiple times and always leave our conversations with new insights.

In terms of resources, I frequently point people to Tears of Eden and the Uncertain podcast (www.tearsofeden.org, IG: @tearsofedenofficial) as they serve as a hub of resources for understanding Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma.

I lift weights and practice yoga for self-care, and lately, I’ve developed a fondness for taking naps. I’m also an avid coffee drinker and a serious coffee snob. My next book, A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts: The Subtle Insidious Nature of Spiritual Abuse and Life on the Other Side, is releasing on October 14th, 2025.

• Master of Arts in Religion and Cultures

• Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner (CTRC)

• EMDR training with a specialization in Complex Trauma

In the media:

🎙 Who We Are and What We Need - Navigating Relationships During Deconstruction 

🎙 Taste of Truth Tuesdays - From Burnout to Breakthrough: Healing, Art, and Resilience

🎙A Little Bit Culty - Prodigal Daughter: Katherine Spearing on the Christian Patriarchy Movement

🎙 True Believer: The Unsolved Murder of Elizabeth Mackintosh - Let’s Talk About It

🎙The Shanny Pants Show - Spiritual Abuse with Katherine Spearing

🎙 Uncertain - The Stigmatized Single Person (And How to Thrive Anyway) with Katherine Spearing

🎙 Sexvangelicals - Episode #54: Kicking Off the New Year with Spiritual Abuse: How Romantic Comedies Can Reinforce the Worst Parts of Evangelical Culture, with Katherine Spearing

🎙 Sexvangelicals - Kicking Off the New Year with Spiritual Abuse: How to Leave a Controlling Family Environment, with Katherine Spearing

🎙 IndoctriNation - Tears of Eden w/ Katherine Spearing MA, CTRC

🎙 That’s So Fcked Up - Evangelicalism, Christianity, Fundamentalism with Katherine Spearing

🎙 Mindful Minds - Recognizing Spiritual Abuse & How To Move Forward with Katherine of @uncertainpodcast - Ep. 70

✒️ Publisher’s Weekly - Spiritual Abuse Survival to Lake Drive

✒️Lake Drive Books News - Tears of Eden Founder Katherine Spearing to Discuss Spiritual Abuse in Forthcoming Book

✒️ Reckon News Article - Meet the healers who are helping people recover from spiritual abuse by Anna Beahm

✒️ Article by Megan Kenyon How I Got Over: An Interview with Katherine Spearing

✒️ Post by Lucy Rowett, Sex & Relationship Coach Trauma and Purity Culture

🎙 Silencing Women in the Name of God - Your Only Purpose is Mother

🎙 The Care Ministry Podcast - Spiritual Abuse Recovery

🎙 Confessions of a Worship Leader Podcast - Spiritually Abusive Church (#1 episode of 2022)

🎙Nunc in Conversation - I Wasn’t Allowed to Go to College

🎙 Holy Heretics Podcast - Response to Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast

🎙 Chickmonks - Empowering Stories

🎙 Dismantle - I Just Want Real Friends

🎙 Homecoming - Featuring Poem The Gift

Publications:

Regular contributor and member of the editorial board over at Tears of Eden

• A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts: The Subtle Insidious Nature of Spiritual Abuse and Life on the Other Side, Lake Drive Books (Coming 2025)

• Hartfords, Leon Publishing (2021, Oct. 5)

• Battling Imposter Syndrome in the Aftermath of Vocational Ministry, Mutuality, CBE International (2023, Aug. 16)

• As a female preacher I was treated very differently to my male counterparts - in the end I left Premier (2023, July 26)

• Are We Continuing to Sideline Women in Conversations About Abuse? CBE International (Top 10 articles of 2022) Mutuality (2022, January 5)

• Was My Family a Cult? I Got Out.org, (2021, November 5)

• How to Spot Overt and Covert Spiritual Abuse. Deconstruction Movement (2021, March 17)

• Beneath the Cross of Jesus. To Paradise by way of the Cross. p.72 , (2020, Contribution)

• How Yoga Helped Me Adjust. (2017, January 31)

• The Best of The Best. (2016, August 25)

• Grad School Survival Guide. (2016, April 16)

• Open Gates to Open Hearts. Network Magazine (No longer in print. First article with compensation!). (2015, September 2)

• The Tradition of the Engagement Ring. (2013, July 2)

• Both Sides of Me. (2012, August 2)

• Valentine’s Day With a Twist. (2009, March 1)

• The North Side: Looking Beyond Appearances. (2009, February 1)

• One Sad Truth of Immigration. (2008, May 8)

CTRR Blog

I’ll Thank Words and Maya Angelou: Healing Through Writing and Reading

Instagram

• @katherinespearing

• @uncertainpodcast

Amanda Schimke

Associate Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in sexual health and sexual trauma recovery, including areas such as Purity Culture recovery, anorgasmia, vaginismus, desire discrepancies in relationships, and pain with sex. I also have a passion for supporting parents in raising sexually healthy, confident, and safe children. Additionally, I work with individuals navigating identity discovery, deconstruction from high-control religions like Adventism (SDA), and finding freedom from limiting belief systems. I work with adult individuals, couples, adolescents, and families.

My flat rate is $135 for individual sessions and $240 for 90-minute couples sessions.

My healing journey has been one of discovery, growth, and transformation, filled with moments of courage and profound shifts. Becoming a parent was one of the most significant turning points in my life. Loving my children unconditionally awakened in me the realization that I, too, deserved that kind of love. This revelation sparked a deeper examination of the religious teachings I had grown up with, many of which no longer aligned with what I wanted to instill in my children. When my first daughter was very young, the church I belonged to voted against allowing women to be ordained as pastors. In that moment, I knew I couldn’t raise her in an environment that limited her potential simply because of her gender. Shortly after, I made the difficult decision to leave the religion my family had been part of for generations.

Leaving a high-control religious system involved untangling years of indoctrination and control I hadn’t even realized I was under. The process of deconstructing my beliefs and rebuilding my life was both painful and liberating. I sought out resources that offered light and guidance, like Rachel Held Evans’ Inspired and the Evolving Faith Conference, where I experienced unconditional acceptance and the freedom to question. 

Throughout this process, therapy became a lifeline, helping me reclaim my worth and learn that the love I sought was not only possible but necessary. These experiences have deeply shaped the work I do now, allowing me to walk alongside others as they navigate their own journeys of healing and rediscovery.

As a practitioner, I am passionate about helping clients heal from the impacts of purity culture, high-control religion, and generational patterns of harm. I love working with individuals who are reconnecting with their bodies, discovering their inherent identity, and building healthier relationships with themselves and others. I also enjoy supporting parents as they navigate breaking harmful cycles, raising neurodiverse children, and redefining their values post-deconstruction. My approach is rooted in Internal Family Systems, mindfulness, experiential interventions, and attachment-based frameworks.

I find joy and freedom in singing, whether in a community choir, at events, or with friends and family. Swing dancing is another passion of mine that brings me a deep sense of connection and joy. While gardening is a slow-growing love, I’m learning to embrace its lessons and the ways it enriches my life.

I’m also deeply committed to understanding how our systems work—proudly calling myself a “governerd”—and doing my part to ensure informed, positive change in the world. As a lifelong learner, I always have a stack of books waiting to be read and eagerly seek out new classes and training opportunities.

At home, I’m a mom to wonderful kids, a cat owner (sometimes begrudgingly), and married to a partner who believes in my dreams as much as I do.

Some of my favorite resources include:

• The Body is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

• Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle

• Inspired by Rachel Held Evans

• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab

• When Religion Hurts You by Dr. Laura Anderson

• Holy/Hurt podcast with Hillary McBride

• Calling Home podcast with Whitney Goodman

• The Popcast podcast

• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Specialization in Systemic Sex Therapy, North Central University

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Walla Walla University

• Certified Integrated Intimacy Professional Associate through Northwest Institute on Intimacy

Amy Congdon

Practitioner, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in supporting clients recovering from Purity Culture and Religious Trauma, Faith Deconstruction, post-abortion experiences, and issues related to racial identity and trauma. My practice is inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals (including adolescents), polyamorous/ethically non-monogamous folks, and those who are neurodivergent, particularly those with ADHD and autism. I meet with both adolescents and adult individuals.

My flat rate is $165 per session.

My upbringing in a culturally Chinese, conservative Baptist church exposed me to the ways in which an honor-shame culture can intertwine with a shame-based religious structure. I remained entrenched in evangelical church culture into my early adulthood, even attending Bible college with aspirations of becoming a worship pastor. The pivotal questions that initiated my faith deconstruction stemmed from the church's claims of being rooted in love while simultaneously labeling queer individuals as inherently sinful. This dissonance led me to distance myself from evangelicalism.

With the space to process my experiences, I came to identify as queer. The negative impacts of Christian purity culture had obscured my understanding of my own identity. Much of my healing occurred through connections with others who share similar experiences and through discussions with therapists and other professionals. This profound journey has inspired me to offer the same compassion and support that helped me heal, as I work with clients exploring their identities and the trauma that has shaped them.

I approach each client with an awareness of how intersecting identities influence their unique experiences. While I use a variety of methods, including virtual EMDR, I have a deep appreciation for Internal Family Systems (IFS), attachment work, and interpersonal neurobiology.

When I'm not working, I stay busy with my family as a mom of two amazing kids and a supportive partner. I am a lover of being as social as possible in a busy world. I'm also on the board of directors for Exhale, a non-profit organization that provides post-abortion support. Being active in and informed about my local community is extremely important to me as I prioritize being an advocate personally and professionally.

I love being outdoors, hiking, exploring the mountains and beaches of the Oregon coast, and star-gazing. When forced to be indoors, you can find me enjoying true crime documentaries and re-watching The Good Place or Schitt's Creek. My job history is quite diverse, from teaching, to barista-ing, to even being a youth minister while professing an agnostic faith. I like to try a little bit of everything, locations, jobs, hobbies—this includes trying all the foods, too!

I identify as a Chinese American, queer, cisgender woman. I'm a personality test enthusiast and an enneagram 4 wing 3 and iNFj (emphasis intentional). I'm also a musician, love to sing and dance, and am the kind of person who will try any crafty-type endeavor once, which means I am a self-taught sewist and crocheter of all things. Sometimes I'm a writer and haiku poet as well.

Some of the resources that have been incredibly helpful in my own healing journey include: 

• Pure by Linda Kay Klein

• #ChurchToo by Emily Joy Alison

• Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

• The Body is Not An Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor

• Educated by Tara Westover

• Unfollow by Megan Phelps-Roper

• And the poetry of Pádraig Ó Tuama, Naomi Shihab Nye, Tonya Ingram, and David Whyte

• Master of Arts in Counseling from University of Missouri, Kansas City (2020)

  
  

  
  

Claycie Gerlt

Experience Intern, She/Her/Hers

SPECIALTIES

I specialize in supporting individuals as they navigate complex trauma, including religious trauma, and the often challenging journey of faith and religious deconstruction. I am passionate about helping clients process grief and loss, foster a deeper connection with themselves, and recover from the impacts of purity culture. Additionally, I offer guidance for those dealing with anxiety, helping them find peace and clarity in their experiences.

My flat rate for sessions is $100.

Growing up in a small town in the heart of the Bible Belt, religion shaped nearly every aspect of my life. As a child, church spaces provided a sense of safety, certainty, and answers to the challenges I faced at home, as well as to life’s bigger questions. But in my 30s, I began to notice that the love, kindness, and compassion that had drawn me to my faith were absent in many religious spaces. Instead, I saw judgment, exclusion, and a lack of understanding.

My discomfort peaked during the 2016 election, launching me into a deconstruction journey that continued through the pandemic. Around this time, I began therapy to unpack childhood trauma, purity culture, and the performance-based mentality that I had carried for most of my life. Therapy helped me recognize how disconnected I was from my sense of self, my emotions, and my body, and it became a transformative tool for healing.

Through this process, I felt inspired to pivot in my social work career and pursue therapy as a way to help others navigate their own healing. Both my personal and professional experiences shape my work with clients. I love helping people reconnect with themselves, find internal safety, and develop compassion for their own stories. My approach is deeply collaborative, relational, and tailored to each individual’s needs. I draw on techniques like Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR interventions, mindfulness practices, and nervous system regulation to support clients in building internal safety and exploring core beliefs. It is an honor to hold space for others in their healing journeys, and I feel privileged to witness the courage and resilience in each of my clients.

I’m learning to find pleasure and joy in the small things in life during the phase of life I’m in (mom of two busy kids), as free time isn’t as plentiful as it once was. These days, I enjoy a good meal out at local restaurants, walks with my dog, enjoying drinks and chill time on the back patio with my husband, musical theater, and finding meaning in whatever Taylor Swift album I happen to be into. I love watching my kids experience new things, I deeply connect with music, would live by the ocean if I could, and am slightly obsessed with our shih-tzu, Dexter. I love biking on local trails when time allows, and this is my favorite way to exercise and experience nature. I often devour a good bingeable podcast or series documentary and consider Lost to be the best TV show ever and am always ready to re-watch it!

Podcasts were an instrumental part of my own journey—hearing stories from people outside of the circle I had been a part of for so long helped me see different perspectives and made everything feel less isolating and more validating on my own journey. Some impactful ones for me are: 

• I Was a Teenage Fundamentalist with Brian McDowell and Troy Waller

• Indoctrination with Rachel Bernstein

• The Phil Drysdale Show with Phil Drysdale

• Straight White American Jesus with Daniel Miller and Bradley Onishi

• Good Christian Fun with Kevin T. Porter and Caroline Ely

• Why Knowing More About Grief Can Make it Suck Less - TEDx Talk by Lisa Keefauver

• Grief is a Sneaky Bitch with Lisa Keefauver

Books that have been impactful to me include: 

• Pure by Linda Kay Klein

• Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell

• Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez

• Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay Gibson

• When Religion Hurts You by Dr. Laura Anderson

• Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

• Master of Social Work, University of Missouri-Columbia (2009)

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2012)

• EMDR trained including intensives and consultations

• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional