“I feel you understand what I've experienced. I now feel I am able to explore freely without fear." (former client,age 45)Most issues have a spiritual origin
Human beings are spiritual beings residing in physical bodies. There is a large body of scientific research that points to a human spiritual component that is just as real as the mind and the body. Our spiritual component is our inner light, it is the innermost sacred part of our being. It has nothing to do with religion, although many people see the two as acting together in their experiences. Religion is belief oriented. Spirituality is experience oriented.
We are born with a spiritual component. Many people go through experiences as children that range anywhere from crushing the spirit to nurturing this part of us. If we grow up with strict beliefs and stringent rules that do not allow for self exploration and creative expression of the self, we are left having to heal these wounds as adults.
As children, our caregivers are the model for Divine influence in our lives because we are dependent on them for care and love. What they teach us, the way they treat us, becomes our concept of a higher consciousness that is more powerful that we are as individuals. Our caregivers are the ones who we depend on to nurture and love us, to feed and clothe us, to protect us. Sometimes, our caregivers are not able to give us what we need, for reasons of their own histories or illnesses. As adults, we can explore and develop a connection to our inner healing wisdom as well as develop discernment of what external needs need to be met for healthy and fulfilling spiritual connection to take place.
Spiritual Abuse happens when others who have power over us use that power, consciously or not, to control how we think, believe, and behave. If you have suffered from distressing events in your life, you have experienced trauma. Have you had an experience where another person has devalued you or put you down over and over again? That can be referred to as trauma. Have you suffered from sexual assault, physical abuse, been a witness to war or near death experiences? These are all trauma. Suffering from intrusive thoughts and images and difficulties in having close relationships are all symptoms of the experience of trauma. The good news is that there is a way through the pain to the other side, so that healthy and fulfilling relationships can form within yourself and the world around you.
What is the difference between Religion and Spirituality?
Simplistically, religion is based in beliefs, while spirituality is experience oriented.
Spiritual based recovery
Our brains and bodies can heal from things such as old belief systems that no longer serve us to traumatic memories held within the body and the associated negative beliefs and behaviors. Much of recovery from spiritual and religious abuse is becoming more aware of your own beliefs and history, and how that has affected you with curiosity. This can be a very exciting and liberating journey of heart and soul. Developing confidence, self compassion, self-esteem and reducing shaming beliefs/memories with EMDR may be an important part of recovery, as well as developing ways of connecting through breath and meditation, and connecting to your internal system to get to know the parts of yourself that protect you.
What I can do to help you heal from religious or spiritual pain and confusion is to use my skills and experience to work with your nervous system and your brain to help rewire linkages that are causing you emotional pain and giving you trouble in your relationships. In addition, I have an extensive background in religions and spirituality, which often is helpful to clients who struggle with religious concerns or are desiring spiritual healing and development. Part of healing from spiritual wounding is building healthy relationships and compassion for yourself. Therapy can be one of those relationships, and there will be many others to bolster you as you go. Forming healthy relationship with self and other informs your brain, heart, and soul helps form compassion, trust, and inner knowing so that you can live from a place of secure discernment.
Treatment Options for Religious and Spiritual Concerns:
Insight Oriented talk therapy along with techniques like Emotion Focused Therapy (see video of Sue Johnson below) can help you understand how your past experiences, the belief system you currently carry, your emotions, thoughts, and your spirituality all fit together.
Non-Violent communication, Emotional Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems work
EMDR and somatically informed therapy with Internal Family Systems focus - eye movements that stimulate the brain to unlock stuck negative beliefs, memories, and feelings so that new connections in the brain can be formed and pain of the past can be released.
Emotional Freedom Technique or tapping therapy - easily learned skill that utilizes pressure points. It can be used anytime anywhere to reduce anxiety, negative feelings, thoughts, and beliefs.
Energy work such as Reiki, which is found to calm the nervous system and balance emotions.
Spiritual Healing and THERAPy
It is very important you find the right therapist for you, and that you find one who actually does have the training and experience to help you heal. There are many people who have education as therapists. It is important you find the right match for you AND look into the training and experience of anyone you choose to help you. Contact me for a free consultation
