Recovering from Religious Trauma

12+
With Deanna Fraser

Recovering from Religious Trauma is a conversation that is desperately needed within faith communities and beyond. This session will share personal stories of religious trauma, responses and survival, explore the latest research, and have space for discussion and conversation for mutual learning. Whatever experiences you bring to the session, know that our intention is to hold space for your stories and move towards a healing community.
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Since this session engages trauma, Deanna encourages all participants to engage in the way that is best for them, including taking breaks or leaving if need be. Resources and content information will be provided, and a chaplain will be available to listen.

About the Facilitator

Hi! I’m Deanna (she/her). I am a religious trauma survivor and a sociology nerd. I am a 4th year Social Psychology student at McMaster, a queer single mom of 2, and a piano and voice teacher. In my spare time, I listen to nerdy podcasts and audiobooks, cuddle my pup, go on adventures with my kids, and go to therapy.

I was a missionary for a fringe section of a non-denominational Charismatic organization for six years and grew up as a ministry kid before that. I was twenty-seven when I burned out so severely I wanted to end my life. Over the next nine years, I began deconstructing my faith and discovered the phrase “religious trauma.” I became invested in learning as much as possible about it, connecting with others with shared experiences and finding ways to heal together. I have since facilitated two online religious trauma recovery groups and currently facilitate an in-person support group for survivors of religious trauma in partnership with Stardust Therapeutic Collective. I am currently involved in a capstone research project on the intersection of faith and disability and working on a proposal for a research project on the effects of leaving religion. It would be my great honour to hold space for your stories and share with you mine. We heal in community.