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
Veiled Spiritual Threats
Subtle, indirect statements or teachings that imply harm or divine punishment for disobedience or doubt
You were told “God wouldn’t be pleased” if you ever missed church.
You heard phrases like “Don’t let Satan get a foothold” in response to questions.
You feared punishment masked as “loving correction.”
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Religious trauma symptoms and intrusive fears.
Difficulty distinguishing guidance from coercion.
Guilt-based morality interfering with autonomy.