Processing Religious Trauma
What is Religious Trauma?
Have you experienced emotional, physical, or spiritual hurt in religious settings?
Have you felt judged, shamed, or excluded by friends, leaders, or even family members in religious settings because you questioned official beliefs or doctrines?
Have you experienced fear, anxiety, or grief due to religious teachings about God’s judgement, sexuality or gender, the punishment of hell, or the existence of demons?
All of these can be signs of religious trauma. Many people raised in religiously dogmatic and controlling settings experience religious trauma, but still have a value for faith in their lives. For them, it can be very difficult to separate the harm they experiences from the goodness of their faith.
How can this group help?
This six-week therapeutic group experience provides a safe community and context for those who have experienced trauma within a religious setting, but are still seeking to walk out their Christian faith in a healthier way. The group will use a combination of trauma-informed exercises, contemplative practices, and journaling to provide a path towards healing.
Where & When
The group will meet on Zoom every Wednesdays for six weeks from 6:30 - 8 PM, starting Feb 16 and will running through Mar 23. The group will be limited to a maximum of 10 participants.
Requirements:
Fee: $60 (scholarships available)
Must be willing to commit to all six sessions.
Must be an OSC congregant (future groups may be open to non-congregants. Fill out the interest form below to be notified of open groups).
In order to create a safe environment, participants must be willing to sign a confidentiality and “consent to treat” agreements.
Interest Meeting:
A Zoom interest meeting will be held on Sunday, Jan 23 from 10:00 - 10:45 AM. Use the RSVP form below to sign up and receive the Zoom link.
Group Facilitators
Stephanie Moss
Stephanie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a background working with individuals, adults, and children, and families. She is a trauma-informed clinician who has supported people navigating a variety of life transitions, loss and grief, and traumatic experiences. She has practiced social work in Texas, California, and London.
“I grew up in Bakersfield and moved to Encinitas about five years ago to work with students as a Mental Health Clinician. I was raised going to church and in a family that holds Christian beliefs, but I struggled in my adult life to find a congregation and faith community where my values and faith aligned more seamlessly. My friend introduced me to Oceanside Sanctuary early in 2021. It took some convincing, but I'm so happy I agreed to try it out. I'm a newer member and excited to have the opportunity to work together toward a vision of spiritual health and emotional wellness.”
Jenell Coker
Jenell has more than 25 years of ministry experience working with individuals and families to help them grow in their faith in both faith-based nonprofits and churches in California, Utah, and Ohio. She is a minister on staff at The Oceanside Sanctuary where she and her spouse, Jason Coker, have worked for the past 6 years to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive spiritual community. She is currently in the Spiritual Direction practicum under supervision at San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Interest Form
Attending an interest meeting is required to participate in this group. RSVP below to receive the Zoom link for the interest meeting on Jan 23rd at 10 AM. Please indicate on the form if you cannot attend on Jan 23rd so we can make arrangement for a one-on-one with the group facilitators at a different time before the group starts.
Enrollment for our spring 2022 group is restricted to congregants at The Oceanside Sanctuary. If you are not an OSC congregant, you may fill out the form below to be added to a waitlist for future groups.