Religious Trauma & Faith Deconstruction

Faith transitions can be both liberating and deeply painful. When long-held beliefs begin to unravel, it can stir grief, confusion, and a loss of belonging. Many people describe feeling torn between the values they were taught and the ones that now feel more authentic. This process—often called faith deconstruction—can feel isolating, especially when friends, family, or faith communities don’t understand.

At Denney Family Therapy in San Clemente, we offer a safe, non-judgmental space to process religious trauma, spiritual abuse, or faith-based identity shifts. Whether you’re wrestling with fear, shame, grief, or the loss of spiritual community, we’ll walk with you as you explore what has been lost and what still feels true.

Both Jennie and Ryan support clients navigating faith deconstruction and reconstruction, drawing from trauma-informed, attachment-based, and experiential approaches to help rebuild safety and meaning after spiritual harm. Therapy may include processing memories, re-authoring beliefs, or learning to trust your own inner voice again.

Our goal is to help you reconnect with yourself and create a grounded, authentic spirituality—or simply a more peaceful relationship with uncertainty. Healing after religious trauma isn’t about finding the “right” answers; it’s about rediscovering freedom, wholeness, and a sense of belonging within your own story.