In this inaugural episode, I speak with my good friend and trusted colleague, Curt Matzenbacher, a psychotherapist in northwest Arkansas, about adverse religious experiences and religious trauma. With vulnerability and hopefulness, we both share parts of our stories as survivors of religious trauma, as well as healing modalities and resources that have helped each of us make sense of our lived experiences inside and outside the religious traditions we grew up in. I’m so grateful for Curt and for this conversation.

[Note: The thoughts and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the speakers and do not constitute medical advice. Some survivors of trauma need medical or psychiatric attention. Please consult with a doctor if this is the case. If you believe seeing a professional counselor would be helpful, visit sites like PsychologyToday.com and/or Zencare.co to find therapists in your area and/or online. Each of these websites allows you to filter for specific issues, types of insurance accepted, and other criteria to find therapists who might be the best fit for your needs.]

Books/Resources Mentioned:

You Are Your Own, Jamie Lee Finch

Global Center for Religious Research, gcrr.org

Religious Trauma Institute, religioustraumainstitute.com

The Science of Stuck, Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP

The Wisdom of Your Body, Hillary McBride, PhD

How God Changes Your Brain, Andrew Newberg, MD, and Mark Robert Waldman

Leaving the Fold, Marlene Winell, PhD

It's Not Always Depression, Hilary Jacobs Hendel

Radical Acceptance, Tara Brach

"Guest House" poem, Rumi

Sarah Blondin meditations, sarahblondin.com

Selftherapyjourney.com (Internal Family Systems)

To learn more about Curt and his practice, visit: ⁠https://curt.clientsecure.me/⁠

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Logo designed by Kel Alford, words pictures colours design, kellyalford.com