Top-Rated Religious Trauma Therapist | Chicago, IL

Offering a supportive space to process your experiences and grow toward a more empowered future

  • Culturally conscious care that acknowledges how systemic power dynamics impact your healing journey

  • Radical honesty in therapy - no "smile and nod" sessions, just real conversations that spark genuine change

  • Team of authentic, mission-driven therapists who are committed to continued education

  • Convenient virtual sessions allow you to get support from where you feel most comfortable

  • Deep subconscious work that resets limiting beliefs and unlocks your most confident self

  • Blend of processing past experiences while also taking tangible steps toward growth

religious trauma counseling

About us

At Hold the Vision Therapy, we're building something different—a virtual therapy practice that's as bold and authentic as the clients we serve. We're not your traditional "sit back and analyze" therapists. Instead, we take an active, engaged approach to therapy that dives deep into the heart of what makes you uniquely you.

Our community of women and non-binary mental health professionals brings both professional expertise and lived experience to every session. We believe in showing up as complete humans, not blank slates, because authentic connection is where true healing begins.

We're unapologetically committed to intersectional justice and cultural sensitivity in everything we do. Our practice actively examines how systemic power structures impact mental health, and we're dedicated to creating a therapeutic environment where marginalized voices are amplified and validated.

Whether you're stepping into therapy for the first time or searching for a more aligned therapeutic relationship, we're here to help you transform insight into action and vision into reality.

Meet your Chicago religious trauma therapist

Faye Williams, ALMFT

Faye is a specialist in religious trauma therapy who combines somatic parts work and attachment theory to help clients heal from spiritual abuse and religious deconstruction. With over three decades of experience working with diverse clients and families, she creates a safe space where you can explore challenging questions about faith, identity, and personal growth.

Drawing on her training as an Associate Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Faye offers culturally sensitive care that addresses the complex layers of religious trauma, family dynamics, and relationships. Her approach integrates evidence-based techniques with deep empathy, helping clients move from religious scrupulosity and spiritual wounds toward authentic healing and self-discovery.

How to start therapy for religious trauma in Chicago

Step 1:

Get in touch

Fill out our quick intake form to kick things off. We'll reach out ASAP to schedule your free 15-minute consultation.

Step 2:

Make sure we're a fit

During our consultation, you'll have the chance to ask any questions and make sure that we're what you're looking for.

Step 3:

Attend regular sessions

If we mutually decide to move forward, we'll set up a plan for our ongoing work together. It's a collaborative process that's customized to you.

Step 4:

Discover, heal, and grow!

Our approach to religious trauma therapy will help you process your experiences and take action toward the future you want.

Why choose us for religious trauma therapy in Chicago?

  • No passive listening here—we dive deep into the real work of religious trauma healing. We take a direct, action-oriented stance that combines genuine empathy with practical strategies. We're not afraid to engage with the messy, complex layers of religious trauma while helping you build concrete tools for lasting transformation.

  • Our community of women and non-binary therapists brings both clinical training and personal understanding to religious trauma work. We believe that authentic healing happens when therapists show up as whole humans, not blank slates. This allows us to form genuine connections while maintaining professional boundaries and evidence-based practices.

  • We recognize that religious trauma doesn't exist in isolation—it intersects with gender, sexuality, race, and other aspects of identity. Our practice actively examines power dynamics and systemic oppression, ensuring that your healing journey acknowledges and addresses these crucial layers of experience.

  • Healing from religious trauma requires a space where you feel completely safe and supported. Our virtual therapy platform allows you to engage in deep healing work from the comfort of your chosen environment, making therapy more accessible and aligned with your needs.

  • Beyond individual healing, we're dedicated to understanding and addressing the broader impacts of religious trauma. Our practice actively works to dismantle oppressive systems while supporting your personal journey toward liberation and authentic selfhood.

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Common reasons why people seek therapy for religious trauma

  • Deconstructing faith and beliefs

    When long-held religious beliefs no longer align with your values or lived experience, it can feel like your entire foundation is shifting. Religious trauma therapy provides a supportive space to examine these beliefs, question inherited truths, and build a new framework for understanding yourself and the world—all while honoring your unique journey and pace.

  • Navigating family and relationship dynamics

    Religious differences can create deep rifts in families and other kinds of relationships, especially when moving away from shared faith traditions. We help you develop tools for setting boundaries, communicating your evolving beliefs, and nurturing authentic relationships that respect your personal growth and autonomy.

  • Healing from spiritual abuse

    Whether you've experienced manipulation from religious leaders, shame-based teachings, or exploitation of spiritual authority, these wounds run deep. Our approach to therapy offers a judgment-free environment to process these experiences, recognize patterns of abuse, and reclaim your power to explore spiritual beliefs on your own terms.

  • Exploring identity and sexuality

    Many religious communities and traditions restrict or shame authentic expressions of gender, sexuality, and personal identity. We support you in untangling religious conditioning from your true self, celebrating your journey of self-discovery, and building confidence in who you are beyond religious expectations.

  • Managing religious scrupulosity and anxiety

    Intrusive thoughts about sin, salvation, or divine punishment can create overwhelming anxiety and compulsive behaviors. Through trauma-informed therapy, we help you understand these patterns, develop coping strategies, and work toward a more peaceful relationship with spirituality and meaning-making.

  • Rebuilding self-trust

    Religious trauma often damages our connection to our own intuition and inner wisdom. Together, we'll work to strengthen your relationship with yourself, validate your experiences, and restore trust in your ability to make choices aligned with your authentic values and beliefs.

When another practice may be a better fit for your needs

Just like we're not afraid to be real with our clients, we want to be upfront about when our practice might not be the right match for your needs. While we're passionate about providing inclusive, trauma-informed care, there are certain situations where we'll gladly help connect you with other trusted resources better suited to support you.

  • You're seeking in-person therapy sessions. As a fully virtual practice, we exclusively provide online therapy for residents of Illinois and Indiana.

  • You're experiencing an immediate crisis or need emergency mental health support. We recommend connecting with crisis services or emergency care providers who can offer immediate, around-the-clock assistance.

  • You're seeking services outside of our scope of practice. While we specialize in religious trauma, relationships, and identity work, we'll happily refer you to specialists for needs like substance abuse treatment or eating disorder recovery

  • You're located outside of Illinois or Indiana. Due to licensing requirements, we can only provide therapy to residents of these states, but we can help connect you with qualified providers in your area

Remember, finding the right therapeutic fit is crucial for your healing journey, and we're happy to help point you in the right direction—whether that's with us or with another trusted provider.

FAQs about religious trauma counseling

  • While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are some key differences worth unpacking. Religious trauma typically stems from specific organized religious institutions, beliefs, or practices—think rigid church doctrines, religious authority figures, or structured faith communities. This might show up as harm from purity culture, fear-based teachings, or religious power dynamics.

    Spiritual abuse occurs outside the bounds of organized religion and includes broader experiences that impact your relationship with meaning-making, transcendence, or your sense of connection to something larger than yourself. This could involve harmful experiences with new age practices, metaphysical communities, or any system that claims spiritual authority over your personal truth.

    Both types of trauma are valid, and often overlap. We're here to support you in healing from either or both, while helping you reclaim your right to define spirituality (or lack thereof) on your own terms.

  • Religious trauma syndrome can show up differently for everyone, but some common signs include:

    • Persistent anxiety about sin or divine punishment

    • Deep shame around sexuality or self-expression

    • Difficulty trusting your own judgment

    • Complicated grief around lost faith or religious communities

    • Physical symptoms like panic attacks during religious activities

    • Psychological and emotional distress when encountering religious imagery

    • Sleep issues related to religious fears

    • Impact on relationships, like feeling disconnected from others or struggling to set boundaries with family or members of religious institutions/communities

    This isn't meant to be an exhaustive list. If you're here, you're likely feeling called to process difficult experiences that occurred in some sort of religious context, and that's valid. We're here to help.

  • Healing from religious trauma isn't about forcing yourself to "get over it" or rushing into forgiveness—it's about reclaiming your power to write your own story. In therapy, we dig beneath surface-level coping to address the root systems that keep religious trauma stuck in your body, beliefs, and relationships. Our approach combines deep emotional work with practical, actionable strategies that help you move from insight to real change.

    We foster an authentic space where you can question everything, feel all your feelings, and gradually rebuild trust in your own inner wisdom. Together, we'll help you untangle religious conditioning from your true self, transform shame into self-compassion, and develop tools for navigating complex religious family dynamics. Whether you're deconstructing faith or building a whole new framework for meaning-making, we're here to support your journey with zero pressure to follow any prescribed path or timeline.

Start healing from traumatic religious experiences today

If you've experienced religious trauma, you don't have to deal with it alone. We're here to be your partners in growth and healing: from the messy, emotional parts to celebrating your successes and newfound self-trust and confidence.

Ready to get started? We can't wait to hear from you!