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In this episode (and its only Part One) of Beyond the Surface, Katrina shares her remarkable journey of religious abuse within a remote East African missionary setting, shaped by her adventurous father, her mother’s struggle with depression, and the unique challenges of being an African orphan adopted by American missionaries. She reflects on the cultural dissonance of navigating life between Africa and the United States, confronting issues of race, identity, and the expectations tied to diverse Christian traditions. Katrina’s resilience is illuminated through her candid account of academic sabotage, highlighting how mentorship and self-awareness guided her beyond her family’s limitations. Her story offers hope to anyone seeking to redefine their path amid rigid religious and cultural constraints.
More About Katrina
Speaker and life coach that specialises in religious abuse, academic sabotage, and good girl syndrome, Katrina is currently living her best life in her renovated garage, feverishly writing away and creating motivational speeches! She hopes her ongoing projects will help others find the same peace she has found.
Katrina is a teacher to toddlers by day, an overachieving writer by night, and a coffee-drinking socialiser on the weekends! As a never-ending psychology enthusiast, Katrina is not ashamed to seek trauma-informed therapy every week!
Katrina loves making new connections with churches and colleges through her speaking career and collaborating with other artists who are trying to create beauty out of pain. Katrina's biggest focus is to speak around the US and eventually around the world, including Africa, where she was orphaned, adopted, and raised as a missionary for 20 years.
Connect With Us
Find out more about Katrina on her website - https://www.speakwithkatrina.online/ You can also connect via Facebook or Instagram
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Navigating the complexities of Christmas can be particularly challenging for those who have experienced religious trauma or disconnection from their previous faith communities. This conversation delves into strategies for being okay over the holiday season, emphasising the importance of awareness around triggers and the need for self-compassion. Host Sam and guest Jane reflect on their personal experiences with Christmas, sharing how their celebrations have evolved from church-centric traditions to more individualised, meaningful rituals. They discuss the significance of boundaries, especially in familial contexts, and encourage listeners to prioritise their well-being by recognising their needs and feelings. Ultimately, the episode offers practical tools and insights to foster a sense of connection and joy, regardless of one's past or current beliefs.
More About Jane
Jane Kennedy is a Sydney-based Counsellor. Jane has lived experience of religious trauma and is committed to supporting people as they leave church and/or faith. This experience, still frequently misunderstood, can be life-altering. She brings language and framing for the complexities of religious trauma to the counselling space and works with other Australian therapists to broaden knowledge among those working with affected clients. Jane has written her story, an e-book, The Sentimental Non-Believer, on Loving & Leaving God.
Connect With Us
To find out more about Jane and her practice head to her website – https://janekennedycounselling.com.au/Or to connect with her on social media; you can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
You can find out more about Sam on her website – www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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In this episode, Zoe shares her transformative journey from a conservative Christian upbringing steeped in guilt and purity culture to embracing her true identity and sexuality. Reflecting on the impact of religious trauma on self-esteem and relationships, she highlights her path to healing through bodywork and self-compassion. Zoe’s story offers hope and inspiration for reclaiming authenticity and self-acceptance.
Who Is Zoe?
With over 14 years of experience in the bodywork and spa industry, including a transformative role as International Trainer for the eco-luxe brand Sodashi, Zoe has worked with some of the world’s most renowned luxury spas, including One&Only, Four Seasons, and Shangri-La. Known for inspiring teams and delivering impactful, transformational training, Zoe became a standout trainer in the industry.
Drawing on years of insight, Zoe recognised a gap in the spa world: the need for therapists to cultivate presence, intention, and the ability to create deeply transformative guest experiences. This realisation led her to create Body Whispering, evolving from offering treatments at home to building a thriving business with over 300 clients and taking her unique approach on tour across Australia.
Connect With Us
Find more about Zoe's offerings via her website - https://www.zoebutler.com.au/You can also connect over on Instagram - @zoebutler.bodywhisperer
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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If you haven't listened to Part One make sure you head back an episode and listen to it first.
In this episode Craig shares his powerful story of returning to Invercargill after leaving the Exclusive Brethren, recounting the heartache of family rejection and a poignant encounter with his little sister. We explore the deep complexities of healing from religious trauma and the challenges faced when leaving a high-control community, emphasising that healing is about gaining freedom from the past, not erasing it. Craig sheds light on the fear and surveillance tactics employed by these communities against those who choose to leave and the cultural adjustments required to adapt to mainstream society. Reflecting on his journey of self-discovery and the importance of personal identity, Craig’s insights highlight the need for sensitivity and respect when engaging with those who’ve left insular religious backgrounds.
Who Is Craig?
Craig Hoyle grew up in Invercargill within the New Zealand Exclusive Brethren. Separated from public society, he attended Brethren-only schooling and worked in his family's tyre shop. After facing interrogations and conversion therapy for his sexuality, he was excommunicated from the Brethren and lost his family in 2009. Today he is a news director for the Sunday Star-Times. He has worked for newsrooms such as TV3 and RadioLive, and behind the scenes on current affairs shows including 60 Minutes and 3rd Degree. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
Connect With Us
You can connect with Craig via Instagram or LinkedInGrab Craig's book 'Excommunicated'
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Craig, author of Excommunicated, shares his journey growing up within the Exclusive Brethren, a high-control religious group where strict doctrines governed every aspect of life. Realising his community's isolation wasn't the norm, Craig embarked on a path of faith deconstruction and self-discovery, facing profound challenges around identity, sexuality, and belonging. Through heartfelt reflections, he recounts the painful experiences of coming out, being excommunicated, and confronting the emotional toll of family estrangement. Craig's story highlights the complex process of building a life outside the only world he’d known, using humour as a coping mechanism and finding resilience in the face of trauma and cultural disorientation. This conversation provides a rare glimpse into the lasting impacts of strict religious control and the courageous pursuit of self-acceptance.
Who Is Craig?
Craig Hoyle grew up in Invercargill within the New Zealand Exclusive Brethren. Separated from public society, he attended Brethren-only schooling and worked in his family's tyre shop. After facing interrogations and conversion therapy for his sexuality, he was excommunicated from the Brethren and lost his family in 2009. Today he is a news director for the Sunday Star-Times. He has worked for newsrooms such as TV3 and RadioLive, and behind the scenes on current affairs shows including 60 Minutes and 3rd Degree. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
Connect With Us
You can connect with Craig via Instagram or LinkedIn Grab Craig's book 'Excommunicated'
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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In this compelling conversation, Dr. Jamie Marich shares her journey from a turbulent upbringing shaped by Croatian Catholicism and Pentecostal evangelicalism to a place of self-acceptance and spiritual healing. Jamie grappled with conflicting beliefs about faith, morality, and her early awareness of her queer identity, leading to deep spiritual trauma. In her memoir, You Lied to Me about God, she confronts the religious shame and guilt she endured, advocating for a spirituality that honours her authentic self. Jamie emphasises the importance of chosen family and community support in the healing process, offering listeners hope and encouragement to explore their own spiritual paths, challenge harmful narratives, and embrace a compassionate, inclusive understanding of faith.
Who Is Jamie?
Dr. Jamie+ Marich (she/they/we) began her career as a humanitarian aid worker in Bosnia-Herzegovina where they primarily taught English and music from 2000 to 2003. Jamie travels internationally, teaching on topics related to trauma, EMDR Therapy, expressive arts, mindfulness and yoga, while maintaining a private practice and online education operations in her home base of Akron, Ohio.
Marich’s previous books include Dissociation Made Simple, EMDR Made Simple, Trauma Made Simple, Dancing Mindfulness, Process Not Perfection, Trauma and the 12 Steps in addition to other titles.
The New York Times featured Marich’s writing and work on Dancing Mindfulness in 2017 and 2020. NALGAP awarded Jamie with their esteemed President’s Award in 2015 for her work as an LGBT+ advocate. The EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) granted Marich the 2019 Advocacy in EMDR Award for her using her public platform to advance awareness about EMDR and to reduce stigma around mental health. The Huffington Post published her personal story of being out as a clinical professional with a dissociative disorder in May 2023.
Connect With Us
Find out more about Jamie via their website - http://www.jamiemarich.comYou can also connect on Facebook or InstagramYou can also find more content on Jamie's Youtube.
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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In a heartfelt exploration of religious trauma, Sam and Clare delve into Clare's experiences as a pastor's daughter in a high-control church. Clare reflects on the authoritarian, misogynistic dynamics of her upbringing, revealing how these shaped her identity through expectations of perfection and submission. The discussion broadens to examine religious control's impact, including conversion therapy practices and LGBTQ+ rights. Clare’s journey of breaking free, becoming a whistleblower, and advocating for others underscores her resilience, even as she navigates the challenges of familial ties. Her humour and authenticity offer hope and empower listeners to embrace healing, self-care, and reclaiming their values.
Who Is Clare?
Clare Heath-McIvor, formerly known as Kit Kennedy in the blogging and podcasting world, is a dedicated communications professional with specialisations in research writing, manuscript development, and non-fiction publishing. She’s passionate about helping people understand their experiences within evangelicalism and high-demand groups, empowering them to navigate life beyond those frameworks.
A proud mum to two spirited souls, Clare balances life as a businesswoman, advocate, and church survivor who has even taken her turn as a whistleblower. Though naps rank high on her list of passions, Clare is deeply committed to her journey through theology and faith deconstruction, which she chronicles with honesty and optimism. Her blog began as an outlet for exploring theology but evolved into a profound journey of faith deconstruction and discovery, leading her to a new way of engaging with spirituality. Today, Clare writes from a place of peace, aiming for that grounded perspective to resonate through her words.
In early 2020, she launched Unchurchable, a podcast for those who find spirituality more accessible than traditional church structures. Whether due to doctrine, trauma, social justice concerns, or other factors, Unchurchable offers a space for those excluded from traditional spaces to engage meaningfully with faith. Clare’s podcast journey expanded in 2023 with Survivors Discuss, co-hosted with Cait West and Shari Smith, where she dives into life after Christian patriarchy alongside two powerhouse voices in the deconstruction space.
When not writing, Clare indulges her love for photography, explores Melbourne’s galleries and bookshops, and occasionally tries her hand at stand-up comedy.
Connect With Us!
Check out Clare's writing on her website - https://www.clareheathmcivor.comYou can also connect over on Facebook or Instagram (and @Unchurchablepod)Check Out Unchurchable & Survivors Discuss
You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.auTo connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this -
In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Camden Morgante. We explore the intricate intersections of faith, sexuality, and recovery from religious trauma, particularly in the context of purity culture. Dr. Morgante, a psychologist and author of Recovering from Purity Culture, shares her journey of navigating evangelical teachings that shaped her understanding of identity and sexuality, highlighting the disillusionment she felt as these teachings clashed with her experiences.
The conversation challenges myths like the notion of "damaged goods" after premarital sex, which perpetuate shame and hinder healthy relationships, especially for women. Dr. Morgante encourages listeners to reclaim their faith without shame, inviting them to embrace curiosity, self-reflection, and supportive communities on their journey toward healing and self-acceptance.
Who Is Dr Camden Morgante?
Dr. Camden Morgante (pronunciation: More-GAN-tee) is a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 15 years of experience as a therapist and college professor. In addition to her private therapy practice, she is a writer, speaker, and coach on issues of relationships, sexuality, trauma, and faith. Her first book, Recovering from Purity Culture, released in 2024. Dr. Camden lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with her husband and their daughter and son.
Connect with Us
Learn more about Camden on her website, www.drcamden.comBuy Recovering from Purity Culture: www.drcamden.com/book or wherever books are soldSubstack: Walking the Middle PathSocial media: @drcamden
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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In this episode of Beyond the Surface, Matthias shares his courageous journey of navigating the intersection of faith and identity, growing up in a conservative religious environment while grappling with homophobia and his own sexuality. A pivotal moment helped him embrace his identity and begin deconstructing his faith. Matthias reflects on the challenges of reconciling being both queer and Christian, confronting traditional beliefs, and finding a deeper connection to God. His story offers hope and insight for those seeking to live authentically while healing from the wounds of religious rejection and rigid doctrines.
Who Is Matthais?
Matthias Roberts (he/him) is a queer psychotherapist and author of Holy Runaways: Rediscovering Faith after Being Burned by Religion and Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms. Formerly, he hosted the popular podcast Queerology which was dubbed by O: The Oprah Magazine as “one of the best LGBTQ+ podcasts.” Matthias holds two master’s degrees from The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, one in Theology & Culture and one in Counselling Psychology.
Matthias’ work has been featured by Bustle, Woman’s Day, Sojourners, The Seattle Times, and many others. In his psychotherapy practice, Matthias specialises in helping people recover from religious and spiritual trauma so they might live confident and fulfilling lives.
Connect with Us
You can find out more about Matthias via his websiteYou can also connect over on Instagram - @matthiasroberts
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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In this episode of Beyond the Surface, we hear Megan’s powerful story of resilience and transformation as she navigates life after growing up in a fundamental, high-control evangelical environment. From the pressures of purity culture to the emotional toll of fear-based faith, Megan shares how she transitioned from conventional therapy to religious harm recovery. Through candid reflections on toxic relationships, faith-driven guilt, and post-traumatic growth, Megan’s journey highlights the importance of community, self-exploration, and reclaiming one’s identity after religious trauma.
Who Is Megan?
Megan is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Religious Harm Recovery Coach who was indoctrinated into fundamentalist evangelical christianity at an early age. Her work in the mental health field eventually helped her begin to make sense of her complicated family history and the way the patriarchal religious groups of her childhood supported harmful, authoritarian systems of control. She now draws from both her personal experience and professional expertise to help others recover from religious harm and reclaim their authentic selves.
Connect with Us
You can find more about Megan's work on her website - https://meganvonfricken.com You can also connect on Instagram or FacebookTo join Megan's group for religious harm recovery click here.
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Join us in this enlightening episode of Beyond the Surface as we explore the multifaceted topic of religious trauma in Australia and New Zealand. Joined by Jane Kennedy and Elise Heerd, both therapists and we are all co-founders of the Religious Trauma Collective. Together, we discuss the significant launch of this collective, which aims to provide community, support, and understanding for individuals impacted by religious trauma. The collective is committed to building a registry of trauma-informed practitioners, offering support to those seeking help, and creating a resource hub that showcases local stories and memoirs.
Find Out More About Us
Sam - website or Instagram. Jane - website or InstagramElise - website or InstagramThe Religious Trauma Collective
Visit our website - https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/ If you are a practitioner working with religious trauma; why not join our registry?!We are also on Instagram & FacebookListen to our stories
Sam - 'Me, Myself & I'Jane - 'The Sentimental Non-Believer'Elise - 'The Former Good Christian Girl'
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Lynn, a direct descendant of Joseph Smith, she shares her journey of faith deconstruction that began in Utah after confronting troubling historical truths about her ancestor and the Book of Mormon. Lynn's path of navigating religious trauma, embracing uncertainty, and redefining her spiritual identity highlights the role of therapy and self-compassion in the process. We also explore the complexities of family dynamics when beliefs diverge, and the importance of fostering mutual respect and understanding amid religious transitions.
Who Is Lyn?
Lyn Smith Gregory grew up in Utah as one of nine children in a devout Mormon family. Her great, great uncle was Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Church. At 19, she left the Church and moved to New York City, eventually obtaining an MBA at NYU. After a 20-year career in the tech industry, she left to pursue writing full-time and has attended the Iowa Summer Writing Program and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She lives in Savannah with her husband.
Connect With Us
You can connect with Lyn on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn Or reach out via her website
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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What happens when the church you trust becomes a source of fear and exclusion? In this episode of Beyond the Surface, we sit down with Kimberley, known as the exvangelical parent, to discuss her journey through conservative evangelicalism, growing up during the satanic panic and purity culture. Kimberley shares her struggles with undiagnosed OCD, vivid memories of being shown graphic depictions of hell, and navigating family dynamics shaped by political conservatism. From supporting her brother as he came out to navigating her own deconstruction as a parent, this is a story of fear, resilience, and finding peace beyond religious teachings.
Who Is Kimberly?
Kimberly, She/Her, is the founder of The Exvangelical Parent. She is a writer, artist, wife, and over-caffeinated mom. Enneagram 9. INFP. She is a queer, neurodivergent, hopeful agnostic who likes long walks in the forest and Zoloft. After spending over a decade in the ministry world, she now writes and creates full time. You can find her work on Scary Mommy, The Mighty, The Huffington Post, The Natural Parent, Parent Co, Her View From Home, and Columbia Mom.
Connect With Us
You can connect with Kimberly on social media on both Facebook & InstagramYou can find out more about The Exvangelical Parent via their website.
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Join us for a powerful bonus episode of Beyond the Surface, where we unpack the complexities of purity culture in evangelical Christianity with returning guest Meg, a sexologist and relationship coach from New Zealand.
Together, we trace the historical roots of purity culture and its impact on modern sexual education and relationships, highlighting how it induces shame around sexual behaviours and affects intimacy in both heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ dynamics. Meg shares personal and professional insights, offering a fresh perspective on deconstructing these harmful ideologies to foster healthier relationships and personal well-being.
Who Is Meg?
Meg is a Sex and Relationship Coach specialising in helping people recovering from the shame-based religious teachings of purity culture and the deconstruction of their faith. She has trained in Clinical Sexology, Trauma Informed Care, is a Certified Advanced Sex and Relationship Coach and Integrated Intimacy Practitioner.
She supports people to explore personal agency and intimate connection.
Meg is also a Protect Accredited Trainer (New Zealand’s leading protection and self-defense agency). For more than 14 years she’s worked with clients to help them identify the behavioural and psychological signs of abuse and practical strategies for staying safe.
In all these areas her work focuses on the mind-body connections that help people recover from trauma and find freedom in their bodies.
As the creator of the couples guide to Hotter Sex in 10 days, and The Shame-free Sex Course she delivers empowering practical skills to people all around the world on these subjects.
Connect With Us
You can reach Meg to explore sex and relationships post purity culture on her websiteYou can also connect over on Instagram – @megccowan
You can connect with Sam over on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Can balancing faith with personal freedom bring true inner peace? In this episode, we sit down with Elise as she shares her raw journey of growing up in a Pentecostal family, where she struggled to balance genuine friendships with heavy religious expectations. Elise opens up about the emotional toll of marriage, depression, and Bible college, highlighting the idolization of overwork in Pentecostal churches and its impact on her well-being. As she deconstructs her faith, Elise reflects on how therapy and self-reflection helped her redefine her beliefs and find safe, authentic spiritual spaces.
More About Elise
Elise is a Trauma-Informed Counsellor and Coach based in Melbourne, Australia, who is passionate about supporting individuals recovering from Religious Trauma. For decades, she denied her own humanity, constantly pushing herself beyond her physical, emotional, and spiritual limits, unable to say 'no' or slow down due to a deep fear of not being enough. Depression, anxiety, chronic low self-esteem, and perfectionism were her constant companions, while religion, a significant part of her life, only seemed to fuel her self-loathing. She internalised beliefs of being inherently sinful and unworthy of love, living in fear of eternal punishment if she fell outside of God's grace. This relentless need to prove her worth to God, the church, and herself eventually pushed her to the brink.
Gradually, Elise learned to embrace her doubts, questions, pain, and anger, as well as the joy, freedom, curiosity, and self-acceptance that came with letting go. Now, she is deeply passionate about walking alongside others as they reconnect with their own humanity, which is always deserving of love, care, and gentle compassion.
Connect With Us
You can find out more about Elise via her website - https://www.eliseheerde.com Or you can connect over on Instagram or Facebook
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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In this episode of "Beyond the Surface," we explore Meg's powerful journey of faith deconstruction, beginning with her upbringing in a Christian family in New Zealand and involvement in a conservative Pentecostal church. Meg shares her experiences with purity culture, the internal conflicts of being a devout Christian while navigating typical teenage behaviours, and the impact on her relationship with God and sense of self. We also discuss the tension between church leadership, personal well-being, and family life, and the healing that came from stepping back from church roles to focus on health and personal growth.
More About Meg
Meg is a Sex and Relationship Coach specialising in helping people recovering from the shame-based religious teachings of purity culture and the deconstruction of their faith. She has trained in Clinical Sexology, Trauma Informed Care, is a Certified Advanced Sex and Relationship Coach and Integrated Intimacy Practitioner.
She supports people to explore personal agency and intimate connection.
Meg is also a Protect Accredited Trainer (New Zealands leading protection and self defense agency). For more than 14 years she's worked with clients to help them identify the behavioural and psychological signs of abuse and practical strategies for staying safe.
In all these areas her work focuses on the mind-body connections that help people recover from trauma and find freedom in their bodies.
As the creator of the couples guide to Hotter Sex in 10 days, and The Shame-free Sex Course she delivers empowering practical skills to people all around the world on these subjects.
Connect With Us
You can reach Meg on her website - https://megcowan.com You can also connect over on Instagram - @megccowan
You can connect with Sam over on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Claire's faith journey, from strict Catholic rituals to the allure of evangelicalism, highlights the clash between public and private religious life, leading to relational trauma and disillusionment with church marketing tactics. Her story reveals the business-like nature of church operations and the mental health struggles that arise from pressure to conform. After leaving her church during the COVID-19 pandemic, Claire found space for reflection and healing, sharing her story to offer hope to others navigating spiritual deconstruction.
More About Claire
Claire is a 32, former Catholic and evangelical. She grew up attending Catholic school but later moved away and found non-denominational churches, which initially seemed more "open." Over time, she realised they weren't. She married a youth pastor, and together they recognised the toxicity of their religious environment and decided to leave. In recent years, she's been working through the indoctrination from her childhood and early 20s.
Connect With Us
You can find Claire over on Instagram & TikTok
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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Stacey shares her journey of navigating faith, identity, and self-discovery after a painful divorce and joining an evangelical Pentecostal community.
She reveals the emotional highs and manipulative undertones of church life, the struggle between divine perfection and self-acceptance, and the challenges of embracing authenticity in matters of faith and sexuality. Through raw honesty, Stacey explores the complexities of organised religion, the business-like nature of church operations, and her own theological awakenings. Her story underscores the transformative power of deconstructing faith and finding supportive spaces.
Who Is Stacey?
A Queer counsellor and sex therapist advocating for positive sex information for all humans. Ex-Pentecostal leader married to a Non Binary human who had their own journey being Queer in church and ambushed conversion. Stacey left the church in 2019 and stepped down. Passionate about empowering LGBTQIA+ individuals and providing space to relearn all elements that were shamed through religion or generational. Stacey is also of Gamilaraay heritage.
Connect With Us
You can find out more about Stacey's work on her website - http://www.rainbowservices.co You can also connect over on Instagram - @rainbowservices.cc
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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What happens when the foundations of your faith start to crumble? Our latest episode of "Beyond the Surface" tackles the intricate and emotional journey of religious trauma and faith deconstruction with our insightful guest, Dr Laura Anderson. Growing up in a fundamentalist Christian environment, Dr Laura opens up about the challenges she faced, from grappling with purity culture to her first existential crisis after high school.
Through her story, we explore the impact of stringent religious doctrines on personal beliefs and life choices, shedding light on the difficult path of questioning long-held convictions. We celebrate the powerful evolution of embracing spiritual uncertainty and growth. Dr Laura discusses moving away from rigid religious labels, reclaiming personal goodness, and finding joy in new identities and communities.
More About Dr Laura
Dr. Laura Anderson (PhD, Saybrook University; LMFT) is a therapist, trauma resolution and recovery coach, writer, educator, and creator who specialises in complex trauma with a focus on domestic violence, sexualised violence and religious trauma. Laura has a private practice in Nashville, TN and is the founder and director of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery, an online coaching company where she and the other practitioners work with clients who have experienced high demand/high control religions, adverse religious experiences, cults, and religious trauma.
In 2019, Laura co-founded the Religious Trauma Institute with the goal of providing trauma-informed resources, consultation, and training to clinicians and other helping professionals who work with religious trauma survivors. Laura’s first book, “When Religion Hurts You: Healing From Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion”, was released by Brazos press in October 2023. She lives with her dog, Phoebe, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Connect With Us
Find out more about Dr Laura over on her website - https://drlauraeanderson.com/You can also connect over on Instagram - @drlauraeanderson
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
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What happens when devotion turns into oppression? Join us for a gripping episode of Beyond the Surface as we sit down with Ruth from snowy Connecticut, who bravely recounts her harrowing experiences growing up in a militant Catholic institution. Separated from her parents and subjected to the institution's extreme religious and political ideologies, Ruth's story is a powerful testament to the devastating effects of institutionalised abuse and religious indoctrination. Through her vivid recounting of physical, emotional, and psychological torment, we gain a deeper understanding of the traumatic impact of growing up in such a cult-like environment.
Who Is Ruth?
Ruth Reymundo Mandel has been in training and implementation since 1995. Her career began as a middle school teacher in post revolutionary Nicaragua. As a teacher in a developing, post war country she became dedicated to issues surrounding social justice and violence. She later transitioned to higher education and worked at the Bryman School and at The Art Institute of Phoenix as an Assistant Director of Admissions. Her responsibilities included vetting prospective students and identifying barriers to enrolment and to matriculation.
After taking a break to raise her three children, she began working as a trainer and technical support for a national professional line nutritional company and an international professional line herbal company which trained medical professionals in alternative therapies.
In her role she trained doctors and medical professionals in clinical application and was an ongoing support for successful implementation through patient outcomes. She developed systems for practice management, patient support, managed, created and promoted cyclical education events for clinical success. She developed training strategies to respond to a variety of real time field challenges.
Ruth also worked as a professional business coach specialising in systems and practice management. Her dedication to understanding root challenges, institutional, structural and personal impediments which keep people from applying their skills and knowledge in a targeted and successful way helped many of her clients increase their business success.
Aside from her professional accomplishments Ruth is a published poet, an artist, writer and a public speaker. Drawing on her childhood experiences growing up in an abusive, religious institution and as a survivor she is a fierce advocate for those who have experienced institutional abuse. She is dedicated to helping survivors and allies understand their behavioral coping mechanisms, arising out of trauma and mitigating societal and personal judgments surrounding common human responses to violence.
Connect with Us
To find out more about Ruth's work - https://safeandtogetherinstitute.com/ Connect over on Instagram or LinkedIn
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservicesWant to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form
- Visa fler
