Addressing Religious Trauma with Conventionally Religious Clients

Clinicians have encountered increasing numbers of clients who report psychological distress associated with harmful religious experiences. While religion and spirituality are well established in the literature as potential sources of meaning, resilience, and coping, they may also function as contexts in which trauma occurs. This paper presents conceptual background to the construct of religious trauma. We then offer case studies of religious trauma to help identify the practical considerations in conceptualization and treatment planning. We close with recommendations for clinical practice: distinguishing trauma from orientation, assessing for religiously mediated coercion and shame, supporting couples in renegotiating intimacy beyond sex, and avoiding theological or sexual normativity when working with conventionally religious clients navigating sequelae from religious trauma within their relationship.