Leaving a religious community isn’t just a change in belief. For many, it’s a full-body reckoning—a painful, disorienting, and deeply personal process that affects every aspect of their identity, relationships, and worldview.
That’s why we’re thrilled to share that Dr. Liz Hoose, one of our exceptional psychologists at Breyta Psychological Services, was recently featured in the APA Monitor article, “A Meaningful Life After Religion”, where she shared her insights on healing, growth, and meaning-making after leaving religious systems.
In the piece, Dr. Hoose speaks to the real challenges people face when stepping away from high-control religions or spiritual communities—including grief, shame, isolation, identity confusion, and the difficulty of rebuilding a moral or philosophical framework that feels authentic.
At Breyta, we understand that religious trauma is not just about “losing faith”—it’s about what happens when your core identity, sense of safety, and community were shaped in a context that may have also harmed you. It can stem from overt abuse or from more subtle but deeply internalized messages: that your body is bad, that doubt is a sin, that love must be earned, or that questioning authority is dangerous.
We’ve worked with people who were excommunicated, shunned, or made to feel broken for simply listening to their inner voice. We’ve sat with those whose spiritual questions were met with silence or punishment. We’ve supported those untangling complicated relationships with family members who remain in the faith. And we’ve walked with clients as they rebuild meaning on their own terms.
Dr. Hoose specializes in working with religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and the process of deconstructing beliefs from high-control religious systems. Her approach is thoughtful, evidence-based, and deeply respectful of each person’s pace and values. Whether clients are ready to build something new or are still mourning what they’ve lost, she meets them with compassion—not answers, but curiosity and care.
Importantly, our clinic offers secular therapy—care that doesn’t impose a spiritual framework but can help you reconstruct one if you want to. Our role isn’t to replace your beliefs. It’s to give you the space, tools, and support to ask your own questions and come home to yourself.
We are proud to be one of the few trauma-specialty practices in the region offering this kind of nuanced, respectful, and skilled support for individuals leaving religion or healing from spiritual harm.
If this resonates with you—or someone you love—know that help is available.
You don’t have to navigate the aftermath of religious trauma or leaving religion alone. Reach out today to learn more or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hoose.
