Who Am I?
As a Queer religious trauma therapist, I work from a trauma informed and lived experience stance. I understand the profound impact that religious experiences can have. I am here to provide an accepting and non-judgmental space to explore your inner world.
My new workbook “Embracing Queerness and Faith” will be released early 2024. I am hopeful will bring an internal sense of authenticity and freedom to many. I am also working on Religious Trauma training for other Therapists.
Currently living and working in Goulburn on Gundungarra Land in my private practice but offering therapy worldwide (except US & Canada).
I am equal parts professional and compassionate with a dash of sarcasm and humour. It makes the therapeutic journey even more relatable and enriching. I also have an incredibly cute and furry co-therapist Naya; she is a sweet and intuitive Cavoodle.
Episode Summary
I share that I didn’t grow up in a religious home. An aspect that many people are surprised about and my initial introduction to religion.
Going to a Catholic school, was the first time that I realised my inclination towards faith and spirituality. I share about a recurring theme in my life of feeling different or separate to everyone else and a desperate need to belong.
Deeply sad and depressed at the time, I share about the role my high school scripture teacher played in showing the love Jesus.
We discuss the delay in using terms like religious trauma and deconstruction. As well as not seeing the harm or problematic aspects of organised religion.
I reflect on the church version of myself which was the very black and white Christian.
I share about the traditional gender roles that were part of the church and the way they became learned messages that I carried into my relationship.
I explain what a ‘gospel gap year’ was and the racial issues that I found in connection to a mission trip to Fiji.
We discuss how doctrine of predestination completely ruptured my faith in God and after I didn’t get the answers from my leaders about this, I left the church abruptly.
I talk about what my ‘2 years of rebellion’ looked like, cemented in the feelings of anger, resentment, and bitterness.
I share how I ended up back at my home church, all-in yet again and the traumatising moment on the first day back at church.
We discuss the impact that meeting Chrissy (my now wife) had on my world, my faith and my church community including the infamous meeting with my elders.
I share about deep pain and grief that surrounded my engagement and the ongoing shadow that this placed on the wedding.
We discuss the role therapy played in beginning my ongoing process of deconstruction and healing. Embracing the freedom of curiosity and my own intuition.
Finally, I answer the question “what would you say to someone fresh in their deconstruction?”
Links
To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
