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
Spiritual Heroism / Promotion of Martyrdom
The idealization and promotion of extreme sacrifice, suffering, or endurance as signs of spiritual greatness, often upheld as models to emulate
You’re praised for “suffering well” or “laying down your life for the faith.”
You believe personal pain proves your spiritual maturity.
You feel pressure to accept mistreatment as part of your calling or witness.
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Self-neglect or abuse can become normalized.
The risk of trauma bonding or staying in harmful roles can increase.
Chronic guilt may follow from setting boundaries or choosing rest.