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
Secondhand Religious Trauma
Emotional pain caused by witnessing how religion has hurt someone you love
You watched a friend get kicked out of their church for coming out.
You carry deep sadness over how your family was treated in faith spaces.
You feel rage or grief over stories of abuse or control.
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Emotional overwhelm or helplessness may result from witnessing harm.
Difficulty separating personal pain from others’ trauma may arise.
Grieving and processing vicarious trauma may be necessary for healing.