A definition and the goal of religious deconstruction and a list of the main elements of deconstruction that most people explore. Religious Deconstruction Religious deconstruction is a process of analyzing the individual parts of a belief system one at a time . The goal of deconstruction isn’t to ultimately accept or reject the belief system as a whole, but to assess each element on its own. This allows us to decide what we believe without jumping to forgone conclusions or resorting to all-or-nothing thinking. It’s not about finding the “right” answers, it's about giving yourself permission to explore . These are some of the main elements of religion examined during deconstruction and some questions to help you explore them. DIVINITY Not every religious group believes that there is a god or that there is only one God. Deconstructing divinity means investigating the belief system’s “higher power” and questioning thinking like the extent of their power, their character, their motivations, their limitations, etc. Is there a God or gods? How can humans determine which gods are true? How can humans learn about God? What does God require from humans (if anything)? Are good or evil spirits the same as gods? What is God’s character like? Are they good, all-knowing, all-powerful, etc.? Can God’s character evolve as humans evolve? TRUTH + GOOD/EVIL Philosophers and theologians have been contemplating the nature of good and evil for centuries. Deconstructing this category is less about finding definitive answers and more about using curiosity as we explore things like ultimate truth, why suffering exists, and whether humans are fundamentally good, evil, or neutral. Is God good? How can we determine this? Does the world have universal rules of good and evil? Are good and evil objective (evident and consistent from different perspectives)? How can humans determine what’s good and evil? Are humans born fundamentally good or evil? Are humans fundamentally sinful or do they just exist in a sinful world? Can an evil person become good and vice versa? How? Why is there evil, suffering or pain in the world? Did God create the world intending for evil to happen? Why? DESIGN This category includes our beliefs about the origin of the world, the fate of the world, the meaning of life, the purpose of human existence, and the extent of responsibility that humans have over our choices. Our beliefs about everything from evolution to the end times fall into this category. How did the universe come into being (creation, evolution, etc.)? Are world events unfolding according to a greater plan? Who (if anyone) is orchestrating world events? Is evolution real? Why or why not? How important are humans in the grand scheme of things? Are all humans equal in value? Do humans have agency over their choices? Are humans’ actions predestined or predetermined? Can humans be held responsible for predetermined actions? Were humans designed to fall into two distinct genders? Were humans designed to be heterosexual? Does God create and then punish people who don’t conform? THE AFTERLIFE Most religious belief systems speculate about what happens to the human body and/or spirit after we die. Deconstructing the afterlife means investigating our assumptions about the finality of death, and deciding what we believe about reincarnation, paradise, eternal punishment, resurrection, etc. Do the choices we make in life have eternal consequences? What happens to the souls of humans when we die? Is there a heaven and hell? Do humans get reincarnated? Do non-believers get annihilated after death or go to hell? Is hell a place of eternal conscious torment? What criteria determine what happens to someone after death? DOMINION Deconstructing dominion means questioning how much power and authority we attribute to the things we believe in. Our assumptions about who and what has the inherent right to power (god, scripture, religious leaders, chosen groups, etc.) have major implications for how we interact with the rest of the world. Does religion hold the ultimate truth? Should God’s desires be carried out on earth? Should religion be involved in politics? Is there a God-ordained hierarchy between genders? Is there a God-ordained hierarchy between types of people? Do humans have authority over the earth and animals? Do religious groups or leaders deserve special power? THE SACRED Most religious groups have practices, objects, and traditions that they consider sacred. Deconstructing the sacred means assessing what makes something sacred, how necessary it is to our beliefs, and how flexible we can be in using it. A few examples are group gatherings, marriage ceremonies, interpreting scripture, and speaking to the divine. Why do we follow religious practices and traditions? How strictly should religious practices be followed? Is Scripture sacred? Is Scripture inerrant (never wrong)? Who has the right to interpret Scripture? Do sacred events (miracles, signs, prophecies) occur? How can a human know what’s sacred an what’s not? Does prayer have a practical impact on the material world?

Take a short inventory to better understand if and how codependency from dysfunctional religious groups has impacted you. Codependency Inventory Codependency is a set of learned patterns in relationships that can involve enmeshment, caretaking, people-pleasing, enabling, and over-reliance. These patterns set unsustainable expectations for ourselves and others in relationships, eventually leading to hurt and resentment. For survivors of high-control groups, the codependent dynamics that are often normalized in the group can continue to impact our relationships even long afterward. This inventory is intended to help you identify possible patterns of codependency in your life so you can start updating your expectations about how relationships work and building more fulfilling connections. Instructions: Check the statements that sound like things you often think, feel, or do. Enmeshment I often turn to others to help me understand what I’m feeling. My loved ones and I make almost all of our decisions together. I think people in relationships should be able to anticipate each others' needs and wants. My mood usually reflects what the people closest to me are feeling. I often change my mind when a loved one expresses a different opinion. I would rather be in an unhealthy relationship than be alone. Caretaking I often take personal responsibility for fixing the problems of my loved ones. I take care of others even if it means neglecting my own needs. I feel rejected when others say they don't need my help. I’m often drawn to relationships with people who seem to need saving. I try to offer helpful advice to my loved ones even if they haven’t asked for it. It makes me feel needed when my loved ones can't function without me. People-Pleasing I frequently walk on eggshells to avoid making others upset with me. I usually go along with what others want, even if I'm uncomfortable. I rarely speak up when a loved one says or does hurtful things to me. I let others show physical affection to me even if I’m uncomfortable. I lie about or hide things that I think could make others dislike me. I spend a lot of time worrying about whether my loved ones are upset with me. Enabling I tend to do things for my loved ones that they should be able to do for themselves. I try to spare my loved ones from consequences, even when they've made poor choices. I often worry what would happen to my loved ones if I stopped intervening. I often blame external circumstances for the unhealthy behaviors of my loved ones. I sometimes lie or keep secrets to cover up my loved ones' mistakes. I bail my loved ones out of trouble even if I've done it many times before. Over-Reliance I need a lot of affirmation from loved ones to feel confident in myself. I feel anxious or confused when I’m not with my loved ones. I feel incapable of accomplishing things without help from my loved ones. I often get jealous when my loved ones spend time with other people. I feel rejected or abandoned whenever I'm separated from my loved ones. I worry I'd never find love again if my loved one(s) left me. Interpretation: If you checked more than two statements in any of the categories above, you have some codependent learned patterns that are worth talking to a therapist about. The good news is that relationships typically get more rewarding when you start changing codependent habits. Optional: If you want to receive a copy of your responses, enter your email and click "Submit". Email Submit Created by Anna Clark Miller, LPC-S

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Erin Pritchard LPCC-S, EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist & Approved Consultant Website: https://www.seaglassohio.com Client Types: Adults (18+) Couples Licensed In: Ohio Session Formats: Telehealth In-Person Location: N/A Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Baptist Catholic Christian/Evangelical Church of Christ Corporate Cults/MLM Jehovah's Witness Jewish Mennonite Military Mormon/LDS Political Cults Troubled Teen Industry Wellness Cults Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues Childhood Religious Trauma Chronic Illness/Disabilities Deconstruction Dissociative Disorders Grief Marriage & Divorce PTSD/C-PTSD Pastor's/Missionary Kids Perfectionism Perinatal/Pregnancy Purity Culture & Sex Quiverfull Reclaiming Spirituality Religious Nationalism Scrupulosity/Religious OCD Sexual Assault Other: Additional Info: Contact Me: erin@seaglassohio.com +1 614-746-5926

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Bethany Bacon MSW, LCSW Website: http://mindbodycoop.com Client Types: Adults (18+) Licensed In: Illinois Indiana Session Formats: Telehealth In-Person Location: N/A Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Christian/Evangelical Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues Childhood Religious Trauma Chronic Illness/Disabilities Coming Out as Non-Religious Deconstruction Dissociative Disorders Grief LGBTQ+/Conversion Practices PTSD/C-PTSD Perfectionism Purity Culture & Sex Reclaiming Spirituality Religious Nationalism Sexual Assault Shunning/Ostracism Other: Additional Info: Contact Me: info@mindbodycoopchicago.com

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Rebecca Bonham Canadian Certified Counsellor Website: http://wanderinghome.ca Client Types: Adults (18+) Couples Groups Licensed In: Alberta British Columbia Canada Session Formats: In-Person Telehealth In-Person Location: St Albert, Alberta, Canada Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Catholic Christian/Evangelical Pentecostal Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues Addictive Behaviors BIPOC Experiences Childhood Religious Trauma Chronic Illness/Disabilities Current/Former Leaders Deconstruction Domestic Violence/IPV LGBTQ+/Conversion Practices Marriage & Divorce Multigenerational Narcissistic Abuse Neurodivergence PTSD/C-PTSD Pastor's/Missionary Kids Purity Culture & Sex Sexual Assault Other: Additional Info: Spiritually-Integrated Contact Me: wanderinghomecounselling@gmail.com

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Louisa Lombard LPCC, LCPC Website: http://StrongandSensitive.com Client Types: Adults (18+) Licensed In: California Maryland Session Formats: Telehealth In-Person Location: N/A Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Baptist Catholic Christian/Evangelical Fundamentalism Jehovah's Witness Judaism Mormon/LDS New Age/Spiritualism Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues Addictive Behaviors BIPOC Experiences Childhood Religious Trauma Chronic Illness/Disabilities Coming Out as Non-Religious Deconstruction Grief Interfaith Families Marriage & Divorce Narcissistic Abuse Neurodivergence Perfectionism Perinatal/Pregnancy Purity Culture & Sex Scrupulosity/Religious OCD Other: Additional Info: I often work with people who are more sensitively-wired and identify as Highly Sensitive, Empaths, and Neurodivergent. Contact Me: Louisa@StrongandSensitive.com

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Rachel Duvall LICSW Website: http://rachelduvallpsychotherapy.com Client Types: Adults (18+) Groups Teens Licensed In: Massachusetts Session Formats: In-Person Telehealth In-Person Location: Great Barrington, MA Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Baptist Christian/Evangelical Fundamentalism Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues LGBTQ+/Conversion Practices Other: Additional Info: Contact Me: info@rachelduvallpsychotherapy.com

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Keturah Weathers LMFT Website: http://lemonworld.online Client Types: Adults (18+) Couples Groups Teens Licensed In: Washington Session Formats: In-Person Telehealth In-Person Location: Seattle, WA Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Christian/Evangelical Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues LGBTQ+/Conversion Practices Marriage & Divorce Purity Culture & Sex Other: Ex-evangelical, polyamorous/CNM, trans, queer, couples. Additional Info: Contact Me: kit@lemonworld.online

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Dr. Amanda McLean Licensed Psychologist Website: http://ampsychologicalservices.com Client Types: Adults (18+) Licensed In: Colorado District of Columbia Florida Maryland Nebraska Oklahoma Pennsylvania Texas Virginia Session Formats: Telehealth In-Person Location: N/A Insurance Accepted: Other: Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Christian/Evangelical Non-Religious Groups Small Cults (<1k members) Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues Addictive Behaviors Childhood Religious Trauma Domestic Violence/IPV LGBTQ+/Conversion Practices Marriage & Divorce Narcissistic Abuse PTSD/C-PTSD Purity Culture & Sex Religious Nationalism Other: Additional Info: I provide a safe, compassionate, and nonjudgmental space to explore the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be impacting your well-being. My approach to therapy integrates evidence-based and values-driven strategies to support former members of abusive groups in their post-cult recovery. Post-cult recovery is often a difficult process, involving struggles at many levels to return from a restrictive, authoritarian culture to a life of freedom and autonomy. Contact Me: amclean@ampsychologicalservices.com

RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST DIRECTORY Return to Directory Anna Nokes LCSW Website: https://cominghomecollective.co Client Types: Adults (18+) Groups Teens Licensed In: Illinois Session Formats: In-Person Telehealth In-Person Location: Peoria, IL Insurance Accepted: Aetna Anthem BCBS BCBS UnitedHealthcare Other: Caterpillar PPO Experience/Training: Groups or Religious Traditions Assemblies of God Baptist Catholic Christian/Evangelical Church of Christ Corporate Cults/MLM Islam Jehovah's Witness Jewish Mormon/LDS Pentecostal Teen Ministries Troubled Teen Industry Other: Experience/Training: Topics and Issues Addictive Behaviors BIPOC Experiences Childhood Religious Trauma Chronic Illness/Disabilities Coming Out as Non-Religious Deconstruction Disordered Eating Grief Interfaith Families LGBTQ+/Conversion Practices Neurodivergence PTSD/C-PTSD Pastor's/Missionary Kids Perfectionism Purity Culture & Sex Reclaiming Spirituality Religious Nationalism Scrupulosity/Religious OCD Shame Other: Additional Info: I practice from a weight inclusive, trauma informed, attachment based, and somatic focused lens. I work a lot with neurodivergent people who are deconstructing their faith and are navigating their relationship with food and their bodies. Contact Me: anna@cominghomecollective.co +1 312-945-7774