4 Best Los Angeles Religious Trauma Therapists

Takeaway: Religious trauma often involves repeated and prolonged exposure to harmful experiences, which aligns with the concept of complex trauma. This can occur within authoritarian religious structures where power imbalances exist. It can deeply affect an individual's sense of self, self-worth, and ability to form healthy relationships. Religious trauma is a complex and pervasive wound that can severely disrupt your sense of self and your ability to function in daily life. Therapy is aimed at creating a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to process their experiences and to move toward addressing dysfunctional beliefs and internalized shame, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and rebuilding a sense of self and agency.

Our approach to religious trauma

As a relational psychotherapy practice, Spaces approaches therapy with a particular emphasis on creating a safe, authentic, and trustworthy relationship between the client and the therapist. We are committed to creating warm, comfortable environments with genuine therapists that enable each person to show-up as themselves.

It's understood to be a widespread and often hidden experience, impacting individuals from diverse religious backgrounds. Religious trauma can cause profound upheaval and discomfort, often more deeply than many realize. Whether it stems from spiritual abuse, rigid doctrinal teachings, community ostracization, or betrayal by religious leaders, this trauma can erode your sense of self and your connection to the world. It can manifest in physical symptoms like chronic tension, sleep disturbances, and a pervasive sense of unease, alongside emotional turmoil. At Spaces, we approach religious trauma recovery with a relational and informed lens. This means cultivating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship where you can share your story without judgment, exploring the complexities of your experience with curiosity and compassion. We prioritize helping you recognize the specific symptoms of religious trauma, providing psychoeducation about its impact, and equipping you with healthy coping skills and tools for reclaiming your agency. We offer both online and in-person therapy to provide accessible support on your healing journey.

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Why choose Spaces Therapy for religious trauma in Los Angeles

Spaces Therapy is a relational psychotherapy practice based in Highland Park, Los Angeles:

Finding the right therapist for you can be daunting. It's important to be able to find a therapist that can provide a safe space for you to feel supported. We differentiate ourselves as a practice by our adherence and belief in relationship oriented therapy. While it is true that all therapy is inherently relational, we believe that the safety and relationship between a client and therapist is fundamental to the work itself. This means that above the therapeutic framework (the type of therapy from which a therapist is practicing) a relational therapist works to deepen and create a meaningful relationship with the client. It could be argued that this is important in any type of therapy, but for a relational therapist, having trust and safety in the room is fundamental to allowing the client to experience change.

Spaces Therapy is a group practice that values empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Empowerment: We aim to empower local and global communities by donating a portion of each session fee to the Loveland Foundation as well as one other charity each month, based on the current needs within our country and world. We aim to create an environment that leaves minimal impact on our planet. We source furniture and supplies that are gently used and earth-friendly. We also believe in sustainable living and promote balance for our team and our clients.
Sustainability: We aim to create an environment that leaves minimal impact on our planet. We source furniture and supplies that are gently used and earth-friendly. We also believe in sustainable living and promote balance for our team and our clients.
Inclusivity: We aim to create a culture where all people are welcome. We work with, and strive to hire, persons of all gender identities, sexual orientations, and cultural or ethnic backgrounds.

4 top-rated religious trauma specialists in Los Angeles

Here are some of our top-rated Religious Trauma therapists in Los Angeles

Mi Ae Kim

I’m Mi Ae, a licensed marriage & family therapist (#135709) and AACAST Certified Couples and Sex Therapist. I cultivate a curious and non-judgmental stance while developing an insight-oriented, relational, and attachment-based approach. I aim to honor, validate, and welcome the uniqueness of each person’s diverse experiences into a space with warmth, empathy, and authenticity. I strive to help my clients discover themselves, gain insight into their relational patterns, and heal from their wounds to ultimately experience deeper intimacy, and connectedness while living their most authentic selves. I also believe in providing my clients with the space in which their sufferings and struggles can be recognized, named, explored, and grieved.

Education:
-B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development
- M.A. in Clinical Psychology with emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy
Prepare and Enrich Certified
AACAST(American Association of Couples and Sex Therapists) Certified Couples and Sex Therapist
I can provide therapy in Spanish
Telehealth and in person

JANIE GLASSMITH

I’m Janie, founder of Spaces Therapy, supervisor, licensed marriage & family therapist (CA 93106, NY 002018-01, TX 204374, WA LF61192973), and relationship specialist. I have a gentle and collaborative style and work with everyone from stressed-out womxn, to men working on relationship issues, to people who simply need a little help transitioning from the hopes in their head to their daily reality. In my spare time, I can be found sampling coffee shops, rewatching (and rewatching) The Office, or traveling the world (mostly to see loved ones) with my husband.

Education:
- B.S. in Psychology with emphasis in Counseling
- M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy
Brainspotting Level I Trained
Providing therapy since 2014
Telehealth

Kelli Penner

I’m Kelli (LFMT CA #79102, TX #204019), Clinical Director of Spaces Therapy, supervisor, and therapist! I enjoy helping adolescents and younger adults as they go through the process of developing their identity. This experience includes uncovering and better understanding one's self and addressing symptoms of depression/anxiety/etc. that go along with this stage of life.

Education:
- B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis in Community Counseling
- M.S. in Marital and Family Therapy
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
Providing therapy since 2014
Modalities used - psychodynamic
Telehealth and In-Person

Marissa Honjiyo

I’m Marissa, a registered associate marriage and family therapist (#128581) working under the supervision of Kelli Penner and Ludine Pierre. Life is uncertain and complex, and therapy can be a space that helps you make sense of your story. I value helping people find wholeness and belonging. My hope is to act as a mirror for my clients to help them gain clarity, healing, and restoration.

Education:
-B.A. in Psychology
- M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Restoration Therapy Level II
Brainspotting Level 1 Certified
Providing therapy since 2021
Modalities used - relational psychodynamic, attachment focused, and brainspotting
Telehealth and in person

Our LA religious trauma specialists can offer you the support you need.

Everyone deserves a chance to feel better. We welcome people from all cultural and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

During your first consultation, we will gather information and discuss logistics to determine how we can best assist you or your loved one. In your first therapy session, we will get to know each other, your story and goals, and establish a treatment course.

Our sessions tend to be 45 minutes long, at least once a week.

To get started, book a consultation or reach out if you have any questions.

Make space to grow

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