NARM Training Institute

In this webinar, NARM Master Therapist, Sherri Sharkins and Dr. Laurence Heller discuss religious and spiritual trauma, defining it as harm caused by someone in a position of power within a religious or spiritual context. They highlight that this trauma can range from subtle biases to severe abuse, profoundly impacting an individual's connection to themselves and to something greater than themselves. The speakers emphasize how it disrupts personal identity, as people may disconnect from their authenticity and grapple with tenacious identifications linked to religious teachings.

Furthermore, the speakers explore the abuse of spiritual and religious authority, citing examples of religious blackmail and sexual abuse. They also delve into how religious and spiritual trauma can hinder access to authentic spirituality, and examine the role splitting plays in many traditions, citing the impact it has on our clients. The webinar also addresses the distorted relationship many traditions have with pleasure and anger, and how they often “confuse the thought with the deed” in their teachings.