Religious Trauma and The Weight of Shame

Jaz Burgess, MS, LPC Associate, Supervised by Dr. Tanisha Guy, LPC-S

The discussion of “purity culture” originated among faith communities initially designed to encourage modesty, abstinence, and strict moral standards, however, in recent years, the topic has become a more prevalent concern in mental professionals’ offices resulting in on an uptick of clients seeking to reconcile their beliefs with personal experiences and desires. This often leaves individuals feeling ashamed, unworthy, and deeply hurt – all hallmarks of what experts call religious trauma. These outcomes, particularly affecting women disproportionately to men in unique ways and highlights the need for trained mental health support that goes beyond the scope of pastoral
counseling alone.

Religious trauma is a form of psychological and emotional harm that stems from distressing religious beliefs and practices closely tied to intense feelings of shame. When individuals are taught rigid doctrines about right and wrong that define their worth based on adherence to strict purity standards, they often carry deep-seated shame that impacts every aspect of their lives. According to Dr. Marlene Winell, a leading psychologist who studies religious trauma, “religious trauma syndrome” ; is described as the phenomenon that reveals consequences extending beyond guilt, leading to chronic shame, anxiety, and self-blame.

How Shame Manifests from Religious Trauma

Shame is particularly powerful because when internalized, unlike guilt, which may arise from specific actions, shame often makes individuals feel that something is inherently wrong with them. When purity culture tells people they are unworthy if they break certain rules or struggle with purity expectations, shame becomes ingrained in their identity. This kind of self-perception can be extremely damaging leading to several mental health diagnoses and symptoms such as addiction, depression, violence, aggression, bullying, suicide and eating disorders. The shame associated with religious trauma affects how individuals see themselves and interact with others. Many people who raised in purity culture report a cycle of Religious and feelings of inadequacy, often viewing their natural thoughts or emotions as sinful leading to severe self-doubt, low self-esteem, and a critical inner voice that tells them they’ll never be “pure” or “good enough.”

Breaking the Cycle of Shame with Professional Help

Overcoming religious trauma and its accompanying shame requires an environment where individuals feel safe enough to explore their beliefs and experiences without fear of judgment. This is where professional counseling plays an essential role opposed to gay- person “counseling”. Licensed therapists have been trained and are equipped with trauma-informed techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), that help clients reframe harmful beliefs about themselves. By working with a counselor educated in trauma recovery, people can begin to replace feelings of shame with self- compassion, learning that they are inherently worthy of acceptance and love.

In contrast, traditional pastoral counseling may unintentionally reinforce the same beliefs that triggered religious trauma in the first place. Pastors, though supportive in many other ways can provide support, they are often untrained to recognize or treat trauma and its effects on mental health resulting in even more hurt. As more people share their stories and seek mental health support, the stigma around leaving rigid religious beliefs behind is diminishing. Religious trauma can feel isolating, but by seeking qualified help, individuals can start to find freedom from the shame that has shadowed their lives for too long. When religious communities begin to embrace the benefits of working in tandem with trauma-informed counseling to provide holistic care for their congregants, the path to healing, for church goers can redefine their self-worth outside of strict religious doctrines, ultimately freeing themselves from cycles of
shame and rediscovering inner peace.