Religious Deconstruction Therapy: Help For Reclaiming Spiritual Sovereignty

It’s not starting over, it’s a renovation, an expansion, and religious deconstruction therapy helps you meet your inner architect.

Therapy Helped My Own Deconstruction

Facing and dismantling my own religious beliefs was the most intense journey of my life that started by dying in a car wreck. I was going to school to be a pastor, I had devoted my life to my religion since the age of 12.

Next thing I know, I’m drowning in spiritual psychosis and being forced to choose between my own sanity and my religious beliefs that I had held so dear. And like many people deconstructing their religion, I had to do it alone, because I didn’t know that help existed.

let’s dive into how therapy helps in religious deconstruction.

(Check out the main religious discussion page for an in-depth guide to deconstruction with resources.)

What Is Religious Deconstruction?

Religious deconstruction is sifting through the beliefs you were given to find and remember the truth your heart connected with in the first place.

It would have been much easier to leave everything behind than to go through the painstaking work of deconstruction. I had a lifetime of beliefs that distorted my reality, creating a living hell of shame, paranoia, and anger.

Yet beneath all that was an undeniable connection to Spirit—a free, peaceful, and loving connection that is our birthright. That connection, however, was tangled up in a web of rigid beliefs.

Religious deconstruction is:

1. Untangling our compassionate nature from restrictive religious beliefs.
2. Reclaiming the spiritual sovereignty inherent in our relationship with Spirit.
3. Replacing external authority with internal authority.

How Difficult Is Deconstruction?

It depends on how deeply religion is tied to your identity. When I was forced into my deconstruction journey following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a near-death experience (NDE), it was so challenging that I experienced psychosis for a couple of years. My religion wasn’t just part of my life; it was my identity, my community, and my family. I was even in school to become a pastor.

While most deconstruction journeys do not involve psychosis, they often include other forms of spiritual emergencies, such as identity crises and existential crises.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Where Do You Go From Here?

I’ve met hundreds of people at various stages of their faith deconstruction journeys. Without exception, every single person I’ve spoken to has become more compassionate, empathetic, and loving as a result of their deconstruction process.

For each of them, religion had been hindering their spiritual growth. For some, it was sexual abuse, manipulation, hatred, or bigotry that pushed them to leave. For others, it was a longing for a deeper connection to Spirit than their religion could offer.

And now, here you are—trying to untangle scripture and beliefs on your own, wandering through this strange land of uncertainty on your way to spiritual sovereignty.

But what if you weren’t alone? What if the same Spirit that moves you away from the beliefs that no longer feel right is the same Spirit that knows what does feel right?

Therapy For Religious Deconstruction

I’m convinced that the Spirit that moves us toward deconstruction is the same Spirit that leads us through it. Thats why I became a counselor in Durango, Co helping other go through the same things i did.

In my experience, the only force I’ve seen move someone toward deconstruction is the part within us that mirrors the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.

In modern therapy, we call this the true self. It is healing, wise, compassionate, forgiving, and central to modern therapeutic approaches.

That makes it perfect for deconstruction therapy. You aren’t looking for another external authority or source of truth—you’re seeking a personal relationship with the truth within yourself.

Spiritually Integrated Therapy

If you find a counselor who is a good fit, any person-centered therapy can be incredibly helpful for someone navigating deconstruction.

However, spiritually integrated therapy takes it a step further. Research shows that spiritually integrated therapy results in greater improvements in spiritual wellness compared to traditional counseling approaches.

Spiritually integrated therapy is essentially person-centered therapy applied to spiritual matters. It requires a counselor who is inclusive and open-minded enough to understand your religious background—on your terms and from your perspective.

Addressing Emotional and Psychological Challenges

Religious deconstruction often brings up intense emotional and psychological challenges that have been repressed by religions that treat our bodies as evil. Somatic counseling can reconnect us to the true parts of our self that we were forced to hide away.

• Trauma from Religious Experiences: Many individuals carry the effects of spiritual abuse, fear-based teachings, or manipulative practices, which can resemble symptoms of PTSD or complex trauma.
• Depression and Grief: Letting go of a long-held belief system or faith community can evoke profound sadness and loss.
• Adjustment Difficulties: The transition from an external to an internal spiritual source can feel disorienting, leading to feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, or doubt.
• Isolation and Alienation: Leaving a faith community can create a sense of social disconnection, leaving individuals feeling alone in their journey.

A trauma-informed care approach is essential for addressing these challenges. Therapists working with deconstruction must validate the client’s pain while providing tools to process past experiences, regulate overwhelming emotions, and rebuild a sense of stability and purpose.

Transpersonal Counseling For Deconstruction

Transpersonal counseling integrates psychological healing with spiritual exploration, making it an ideal modality for those navigating religious deconstruction. This approach allows clients to process emotional wounds while also exploring the deeper meaning behind their journey.

In therapy sessions, transpersonal counseling might include:

• Exploring the spiritual significance of deconstruction as part of the client’s evolution.
• Creating practices or rituals that honor the client’s newfound beliefs.
• Helping clients connect to their inner wisdom and build trust in their intuition.

By integrating spirituality into the therapeutic process, clients can heal from past wounds while cultivating a deeper connection with themselves.

I’m Here to Help

All my therapy is both person-centered and spiritually integrated. I focus on seeing and understanding you. I’m also here to learn from you because I believe you have a unique gift, and the struggles you’re facing right now may be a shift as your life makes space for that gift to emerge.

You are not alone, and there is help available that honors your sovereignty.