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Religious Trauma + Spiritual Abuse Recovery

RESEARCH SOURCES

SOURCES

Research related to religious trauma, spiritual abuse, cults, coercive control, moral injury, etc.
Source Type
Title
Year
Key Words
Citation (APA)
Link
Journal Article
A National Study of Adult Women Sexually Abused by Clergy: Insights for Social Workers
2022
Sexual Abuse,Women,Religious Leaders/Clergy
Pooler, D., & Barros-Lane, L. (2022). A national study of adult women sexually abused by clergy: Insights for social workers. Social Work, 67(2), 123-133.
https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swac001
Journal Article
A Primer on Memory Reconsolidating and Its Psychotherapeutic Use as a Core Process of Profound Change
2013
Trauma,Memory Reconsolidation,Treatment/Counseling,Therapy Modalities
Ecker, B., Ticic, R., & Hulley, L. (2013). A Primer on Memory Reconsolidating and Its Psychotherapeutic Use as a Core Process of Profound Change. The Neuropsychotherapist, 1, 82-99. https://doi.org/10.12744/tnpt(1)082-099
https://doi.org/10.12744/tnpt(1)082-099
Book/Chapter
Abuse in World Religions: Articulating the Problem
2025
Abuse ,Religious/Spiritual Abuse
Stiebert, J. (Ed.). (2025). Abuse in world religions: Articulating the problem (Vol. 1). Routledge.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003324164
Journal Article
Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Within a Religious Context
2015
Abuse ,Domestic Violence/IPV,Religion/Spirituality,Victimization & Violence
Levitt, H., Horne, S., Wheeler, E., & Wang, M. (2015) Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Within a Religious Context. Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy for Trauma.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/14500-011
Journal Article
Addressing Moral Injury in Clinical Practice
2021
Moral Injury,Treatment/Counseling
Currier, J. M., Drescher, K. D., & Nieuwsma, J. A. (2021). Introduction to moral injury. In J. M. Currier, K. D. Drescher, & J. A. Nieuwsma (Eds.), Addressing moral injury in clinical practice (pp. 3–18). American Psychological Association.
https://doi.org/10.1037/0000204-001
Journal Article
Addressing Religious and Spiritual Diversity in Moral Injury Care: Five Perspectives
2023
Moral Injury,Religion/Spirituality,Treatment/Counseling
Pyne, J. M., Currier, J., Hinkson, K. D., Jr., Usset, T. J., Abeita, L. A., Dordal, P., Kouser, T., Awaad, R., Weber, M. C., & Griffin, B. J. (2023). Addressing religious and spiritual diversity in moral injury care: Five perspectives. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 10(4), 446–462.
https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/s40501-023-00308-3
Journal Article
Addressing Religious or Spiritual Dimensions of Trauma and PTSD
2025
Treatment/Counseling,Assessment
Larsen, S. E., Hopkins, S., & Harris, I. (n.d.). Addressing religious or spiritual dimensions of trauma and PTSD. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Center for PTSD.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/txessentials/spirituality_trauma.asp
Journal Article
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Religious/Spiritual Struggles, and Mental Health Symptoms: Examination of Mediation Models
2018
Developmental Trauma,Health,Symptoms,Religion/Spirituality
McCormick, W. H., Carroll, T. D., Sims, B. M., & Currier, J. M. (2018). Adverse childhood experiences, religious/spiritual struggles, and mental health symptoms: Examination of mediation models. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 20(10), 982–994.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2018.1440544
Book/Chapter
Altogether You: Experiencing Personal and Spiritual Transformation with Internal Family Systems
2020
Therapy Modalities,Treatment/Counseling,Religion/Spirituality
Riemersma, J. (2020). Altogether you: Experiencing personal and spiritual transformation with Internal Family Systems therapy. Pivotal Press.
https://a.co/d/0gdzhYvc
Journal Article
An Exploratory Study on Mental Health, Social Problems & Spiritual Damage in Victims of Child Sexual Abuse by Catholic Clergy and Other Perpetrators
2022
Sexual Abuse,Developmental Trauma,Religious Leaders/Clergy
Pereda, N., Guilera, G., Forns, M., & Gómez-Benito, J. (2022). An exploratory study on mental health, social problems, & spiritual damage in victims of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy and other perpetrators. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2022.2080142
Journal Article
An Investigation Into the Efficacy of the PsychoSocial Quicksand Model and its Utility for Transforming Systems
2026
Treatment/Counseling,Memory Reconsolidation,Culture/Community,Cults/High-Control
Amber, K., & Dubrow-Marshall, R. (2026). An investigation into the efficacy of the PsychoSocial Quicksand Model™ and its utility for transforming systems. International Journal of Cultic Studies, 17, 37–57.
https://library.internationalculticstudies.org/26gottu/
Journal Article
An Update on the Dissociative Experiences Scale
1993
Dissociation,Assessment,Treatment/Counseling
Carlson, E. & Putnam, F. (1993) An Update on the Dissociative Experiences Scale.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232515683_An_Update_on_the_Dissociative_Experiences_Scale
Journal Article
Approaches to Understanding and Aligning with Religious Leaders
2022
Religious Leaders/Clergy
McLaughlin, C., Stinson, R., & Docherty, M. (2022). Approaches to understanding and aligning with religious leaders: A latent profile analysis of religious leaders’ worldviews. Spirituality in Clinical Practice.
https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2021-28160-001
Journal Article
Appropriate Child Participation and the Risks of Spiritual Abuse
2016
Childhood/Children,Religious/Spiritual Abuse
Segura-April, D. (2016). Appropriate child participation and the risks of spiritual abuse. Transformation, 33(3), 171–184.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0265378816636798
Journal Article
Associations of Childhood Trauma Experiences with Religious and Spiritual Struggles
2020
Developmental Trauma,Trauma,Religion/Spirituality
Janů, A., Maliňáková, K., Malinakova, K., Kosarkova, A., & Tavel, P. (2020). Associations of childhood trauma experiences with religious and spiritual struggles. Journal of Health Psychology. 10.1177/1359105320950793
https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105320950793
Journal Article
Attachment Theory and Religion
2021
Attachment ,Family/Parenting,Childhood/Children
Cherniak, M., Thiemann, P., & Mackay, D. (2021). Attachment theory and religion. Current Opinion in Psychology.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.08.020
Journal Article
Being In-Between: Exploring Former Cult Members' Experiences of an Acculturation Process Using the Cultural Formulation Interview
2023
Cults/High-Control,Disaffiliation/Disidentification,Culture/Community,Recovery
Hadding, C., Semb, O., Lehti, A., Fahlström, M., Sandlund, M., & DeMarinis, V. (2023). Being in-between; exploring former cult members' experiences of an acculturation process using the cultural formulation interview (DSM-5). Frontiers in psychiatry, 14, 1142189. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1142189
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1142189
Journal Article
Being Yourself is a Sin: The Impact of Evangelical Purity Culture on Sexual and Gender Minority People Socialized as Women
2025
Women,Purity Culture,Sex/Sexuality,Christian/Evangelical
Muskrat, T. Y., Porcaro, A. K., Worley, M. G., Franco, A. E., Parmenter, J. G., & Sánchez, F. J. (2025). "Being yourself is a sin": The impact of evangelical purity culture on sexual and gender minority people socialized as women. The Counseling Psychologist, 53(5), 672–699.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000251352578
Thesis/Dissertation
Betrayed by the Divine and Overlooked by Scholarship: An Inquiry into Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma
2023
Betrayal ,Race & Racism,BIPOC,Religious/Spiritual Abuse
Bisantz, L. (2023) Betrayed by the Divine and Overlooked by Scholarship: An Inquiry into Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma. University of Colorado Honors Journal.
https://doi.org/10.33011/cuhj20231887
Journal Article
Beyond PTSD: A Multi-Case Study Exploring Identity, Moral Injury, and Spiritual Injury
2023
PTSD/CPTSD,Identity,Moral Injury
Grimell, J. & Atuel, H. (2023) Beyond PTSD: A Multi-Case Study Exploring Identity, Moral Injury, and Spiritual Injury. Journal of Veterans Studies.
https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v9i3.436
Journal Article
Born or Raised in High-Demand Groups: Developmental Considerations
2023
Childhood/Children,Cults/High-Control,Culture/Community, Attachment
Furnari, L. (2023). Born or raised in high-demand groups: Developmental considerations. ICSA Today, 14(1), 8–15.
https://library.internationalculticstudies.org/24n7c9t/
Journal Article
Child Sexual Abuse in Protestant Christian Congregations: A Descriptive Analysis of Offense and Offender Characteristics
2018
Sexual Abuse,Developmental Trauma,Christian/Evangelical
Denney, A., Kerley, K., & Gross, N. (2018). Child Sexual Abuse in Protestant Christian Congregations: A Descriptive Analysis of Offense and Offender Characteristics. Religions. 9. 27. 10.3390/rel9010027.
https://doi.org/10.3390/rel9010027
Journal Article
Christian Shame and Religious Trauma
2022
Christian/Evangelical,Shame,Trauma
Downie, A. (2022) Christian Shame and Religious Trauma. Religions.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/925
Journal Article
Clinical Considerations of the Evangelical Purity Movement's Impact on Female Sexuality
2022
Purity Culture,Sex/Sexuality,Women
Estrada, L. L. (2021). Clinical Considerations of the Evangelical Purity Movement’s Impact on Female Sexuality. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 48(2), 121–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2021.1977445
https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2021.1977445
Journal Article
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
2011
Cognitive,PTSD/CPTSD,Treatment/Counseling
Kar, N. (2011) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Neuropsychiatry Dis Treatment.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/NDT.S10389
Book/Chapter
Colliding Discourses: Families Negotiating Religion, Sexuality, and Identity
2018
Family/Parenting,LGBTQ+,Sex/Sexuality
D'Arrigo-Patrick, J., D'Arrigo-Patrick, E., & Hoff, C. (2018). Colliding discourses: Families negotiating religion, sexuality, and identity. In E. Esmiol Wilson & L. Nice (Eds.), Socially just religious and spiritual interventions: Ethical uses of therapeutic power (pp. 37–49). Springer.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01986-0_4
Journal Article
Competing Selves: Negotiating the Intersection of Spiritual and Sexual Identities
2010
Sex/Sexuality,LGBTQ+,Religion/Spirituality
Sherry, A., Adelman, A., Whilde, M. R., & Quick, D. (2010). Competing selves: Negotiating the intersection of spiritual and sexual identities. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41(2), 112–119.
https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017471
Book/Chapter
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma
2013
PTSD/CPTSD,Developmental Trauma,Childhood/Children,Recovery
Walker, P. (2013) Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma.
https://a.co/d/0a3Po3ND
Journal Article
Conceptualization of Moral Injury A Socio-Cognitive Perspective
2023
Moral Injury
Bonson, A., Murphy, D., Aldridge, V., Greenberg, N., & Williamson, V. (2023). Conceptualization of moral injury: A socio-cognitive perspective. Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, Advance online publication.
https://utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/jmvfh-2022-0034
Book/Chapter
Congregations in 21st Century America
2021
Religion/Spirituality,Culture/Community,Prevalence/Statistics
Chaves, M., & Lehrer, E. L. (2021). Congregations in 21st century America. Department of Sociology, Duke University.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/63e5578f1b55bd1c25cf2759/t/6459ac0a20926335c3e8fe85/1683598350842/NCSIV-report.pdf
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FORMAL + INFORMAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Title
Author
Link
Codependency Inventory
Anna Clark Miller
https://www.empathyparadigm.com/codependency
Developmental Religious Trauma: Harmful Childhood Messages Inventory
Anna Clark Miller
https://www.empathyparadigm.com/childhoodmessages
FICA Spiritual History Tool: A Guide for Spiritual Assessment in Clinical Settings
Christina Puchalski, MD
https://gwish.smhs.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaskib1011/files/2022-06/FICA-Tool-PDF-ADA.pdf
High Control Group Inventory
Anna Clark Miller
https://www.empathyparadigm.com/highcontol
Inventory of Complicated Spiritual Grief 2.0 (ICSG 2.0)
Laurie Burke, A Elizabeth Crunk, Robert Neimeyer, Haiyan Bai
https://www.azspc.org/uploads/8/5/7/7/85775014/inventory_of_complicated_spiritual_grief_self-scoring.pdf
Moral Injury and Distress Scale (MIDS)
Norman, S. B., Griffin, B. J., Pietrzak, R. H., McLean, C., Hamblen, J. L., & Maguen, S.
https://ptsd.va.gov/PTSD/professional/assessment/documents/NCPTSD_MIDS.pdf
Psychological Abuse Experienced in Groups Scale (PAEGS)
Saldaña, O., Rodríguez-Carballeira, Á., Almendros, C., & Escartín, J.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Iub4w81s6wr7CopvMGdC-NVPnomHe1yL/view?usp=sharing
Religious Trauma Inventory
Anna Clark Miller
https://www.empathyparadigm.com/inventory
Spiritual Abuse Questionnaire (SAQ)
Kathryn Keller, PhD
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HWFVfCSgEa-G5OMquMBryCO7AZvLgKlh/view?usp=sharing
Spiritual Harm & Abuse Scale (SHAS)
Dan Koch
https://www.religiononthemind.com/spiritual-abuse
Values Inventory
Anna Clark Miller
https://www.empathyparadigm.com/valuesinventory
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