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Dr. Grisel Lopez-Escobar
PhD in Counseling · Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
LPC / LMHC · Licensed Mental Health Counselor offering virtual therapy to adults
Working with people who are questioning, deconstructing, or leaving high-control religions, groups, or cults
Licensed in AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, ME, MA, OR, SC, TX, UT, VT, WI & WY
Religious Freedom
The right to believe, practice, or reject religion without coercion; in high-control settings, this is often distorted or denied
You fear expulsion or hell if you leave your religion.
You’re not allowed to explore other faiths or worldviews.
You are taught that questioning doctrine is rebellion, not curiosity.
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Existential anxiety or identity crisis may occur during deconstruction.
Difficulty tolerating ambiguity or alternative viewpoints can arise.
Loss of community and support may happen when leaving the group.