I am so excited to introduce The Religious Trauma Collective. A project born out of personal experience, a deep need for connection, and the desire to fill a gap in the field. Co-founded with Jane Kennedy & Elise Heerde.
As therapists, coaches, social workers, and psychologists who have both lived through and professionally supported others experiencing religious trauma. We realised that finding the right kind of help, especially here in Australia and New Zealand, can be incredibly difficult.
Religious trauma isn’t always easily defined, but its impact runs deep. It can shape and shake our sense of identity, belonging, and safety. For many of us, leaving behind a faith community or navigating spiritual harm isn’t just about a loss of belief. It can mean losing family, community, income, and the comfort of certainty. Yet, despite the far-reaching effects, there is little recognition or agreed-upon term for this type of trauma, making it hard to find the right kind of care.
A Collective Of Understanding
When the ground started to give way beneath us, we struggled to find people who could understand the complexity of what we had been through. So, we created The Religious Trauma Collective. A place for those of us who need professional support from practitioners who have walked this road before.
We’re committed to building a resource base of practitioners across Australia and New Zealand who specialise in religious trauma.
We know the pain and confusion that can come with religious trauma because we’ve lived it ourselves. Understanding what we needed in those moments of disorientation, we’re striving to provide that for others. A compassionate, knowledgeable, and accessible space for healing.
We Are Not Anti-Faith – We Are Pro-Healing
It’s important to mention that we’re not here to be defined by what we’re against. We’re not anti-church, anti-God, or anti-religion—whatever those concepts may mean to you.
Religious trauma is diverse and complex, and we recognise that for some, healing involves reconciling with faith. While for others, it might mean stepping away entirely. Our focus is on helping individuals navigate their own journey, wherever they may be.
We are also committed to understanding how religious trauma intersects with various minority groups and how it impacts people in unique ways. This work is ongoing, and we’re dedicated to continuous education and growth in this area.
So What Is The Religious Trauma Collective?
Here at The Religious Trauma Collective, we offer several resources to help you on your journey:
- A Growing Registry of Practitioners. We are building a network of therapists and professionals who specialise in religious trauma and are available to provide the support you need. While we’re just getting started, we’re constantly adding new practitioners to our registry, so keep an eye out as we grow.
- Resources Tailored to Our Region. We are curating a collection of resources specifically focused on religious trauma in Australia and New Zealand, alongside valuable international content. Whether you’re looking for academic articles, books, or podcasts, we’ll be gathering it all in one place.
- Coming Soon. We’re excited to begin offering workshops, events, and training sessions, both online and in person. These will be opportunities for individuals and practitioners alike to deepen their understanding and connect with others on the same journey.
We Are Here For You!
We may not have all the answers, and we can’t speak for every situation or every experience of religious trauma. What we can offer is a community of understanding and professionals dedicated to walking with you through the complexities of healing. We’re here to help you feel seen, heard, and supported in a way that we all needed during our own journeys.
We invite you to explore our growing registry, follow us on social media, and stay connected as we continue to expand. We may be a small team, but we’re committed to making a meaningful impact for those navigating religious trauma in Australia and New Zealand.
Thank you for being part of this important conversation. Together, we can create safe spaces for healing, compassion, and growth.
The Links
You can find all the information on our website – www.thereligioustraumacollective.com
We are also over on Facebook and Instagram
Come and say hi!