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
Doubling Down
Trying even harder to believe or obey when your faith is being challenged, often to avoid doubt
You went to more religious study groups to push away your questions.
You told yourself to “just have more faith” instead of listening to your doubts.
You dismissed criticism as “spiritual attacks.”
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Emotional exhaustion or spiritual burnout may develop.
Harmful beliefs may be held onto longer than necessary.
Healing may be delayed due to suppression of doubts or questions.