Episode Summary
What happens when the foundations of your faith start to crumble? Our latest episode tackles the intricate and emotional journey of religious trauma and faith deconstruction with guest, Dr Laura Anderson. Growing up in a fundamentalist Christian environment, Dr Laura opens up about the challenges she faced, from grappling with purity culture to her first existential crisis after high school.
Through her story, we explore the impact of stringent religious doctrines on personal beliefs. Shedding light on the difficult path of questioning long-held convictions. We celebrate the powerful evolution of embracing spiritual uncertainty and growth. Dr Laura discusses moving away from rigid religious labels, reclaiming personal goodness, and finding joy in new identities and communities.
More About Dr Laura
Dr. Laura Anderson (PhD, Saybrook University; LMFT) is a therapist, trauma resolution and recovery coach, writer, educator, and creator who specialises in complex trauma with a focus on domestic violence, sexualised violence and religious trauma. Laura has a private practice in Nashville, TN and is the founder and director of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery, an online coaching company where she and the other practitioners work with clients who have experienced high demand/high control religions, adverse religious experiences, cults, and religious trauma.
In 2019, Laura co-founded the Religious Trauma Institute with the goal of providing trauma-informed resources, consultation, and training to clinicians and other helping professionals who work with religious trauma survivors. Laura’s first book, “When Religion Hurts You: Healing From Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion”, was released by Brazos press in October 2023. She lives with her dog, Phoebe, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Connect With Us
- Find out more about Dr Laura over on her website – https://drlauraeanderson.com/
- You can also connect over on Instagram – @drlauraeanderson
- To connect with Sam on Instagram – @anchoredcounsellingservices
- Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.