Dr. Grisel Lopez-Escobar, PhD (in Counseling),
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Providing Virtual Therapy to Adult Clients
in the States of AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, MA, ME, NV, OR, SC, TX, UT, VT, WI & WY, USA
Specializing in Supporting Clients who are Newly Secular or Deconstructing from High Control Religions, Groups or Cults: Religious Trauma / Faith Crisis, Religious Deconstruction / Purity Culture / Religious Residue / Mixed-Faith Relationships / Secular Therapy
Clergy Kid / Preacher’s Kid / Pastor’s Kid / Bishop's Kid / Elder’s Kid
Children raised by religious leaders such as pastors, preachers, elders, or bishops, often under high expectations and public scrutiny within religious communities
You felt pressured to be a moral "role model" at all times.
You couldn’t express doubts without fear of shaming your family.
Your behavior was constantly monitored by the congregation.
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Chronic performance pressure may lead to anxiety.
Identity development may be complicated by strong associations with family and faith.
Guilt or shame can arise when questioning inherited beliefs.