Religious Trauma Therapy In Pennsylvania & Florida.
Hi, my name is Sarah Bryski-Hamrick, and I’m an online Religious Trauma Therapist in Pennsylvania.
(Note that I serve Pennsylvania & Florida via online therapy.)
You may be feeling alone, afraid, and lost. I understand, and I’m here to help.
I help people find their identity and establish meaning after religion or deconstruction.
If you’re ready to start feeling better, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.
My approach to Religious Trauma Therapy.
Leaving a religion is one of the hardest things a person can do. Not only are you leaving your belief system, but you're leaving your community.
Trauma can be experienced by any individual in a religion, but the abuse is often carried out by those in positions of power. This abuse can come in many forms, including emotional verbal and physical violence.
Many who experience religious trauma are unaware that they are even being abused. This does not make their experience any less painful or any less dangerous.
As an ex-Christian, I know what it is like to feel lost without a set of beliefs, rules, and community. It can be scary to trust your own feelings. It can feel dangerous to make decisions based on your values, not those that you’ve been indoctrinated into.
In our work together, you will learn how to establish your own identity outside of your former religion. You will be able to experience freedoms that you never felt possible, all while healing from pain and nurturing your values.
Religious Trauma Therapy FAQs.
What is religious trauma?
Religious trauma is experienced by a person in the name of religion. This can come in the form of emotional, verbal and physical violence. Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a condition experienced by individuals who are attempting to or have left a controlling, isolated, oppressive religion.
What makes a good religious trauma therapist?
First off, it’s always good to ask your therapist if they have the training to help you. A good religious trauma therapist will understand the lasting effects of intimate and institutional trauma, while also understanding the beliefs and customs of the religion you are coming from.
Why type of therapy helps religious trauma?
Both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy highly effective treatment approaches for religious trauma. I specialize in both! CBT helps address negative beliefs about yourself and the world, while EMDR therapy helps process traumatic events in less invasive way than traditional talk therapy. Learn more here!
Why is therapy painful?
Human beings are incredibly adaptable. Throughout our lives, we will encounter traumas daily, both big and small. Because of this, we develop defense mechanisms that help us survive the pain we feel as a result of the trauma. These defense mechanisms are often not healthy, and can make us feel worse in the long run. In therapy, we will be breaking down those defenses to find where the pain lives. This can be a painful process, but it doesn’t last. The reward of relief, renewed strength and increased control is absolutely worth it.
Can anyone benefit from therapy?
Anyone can benefit from therapy as long as they are committed to growing and healing. However, to benefit from therapy you must be able to look inward and observe how your own thoughts/feelings/behaviors can be getting in your way.
How do we meet for sessions?
We will meet virtually on the platform Therapy Notes, which is an EHR system, or electronic health record. It is also utilized for scheduling, appointment reminders, paperwork and payment.
What is the cost per session?
60 Minute Intake (these happen once) - $200
45 Minute Therapy - $165
90 Minute EMDR Therapy - $300
Do you accept insurance?
I do not accept insurance, services are cash pay only. But I highly value my clients’ time and hard earned money, so I do assist in the reimbursement process by providing superbills. Learn more about navigating out-of-network reimbursement and the benefits of seeing a cash pay therapist here.
What if I’m not a resident of Pennsylvania of Florida?
I am licensed to provide counseling in the states of Pennsylvania & Florida. For residents outside of PA, FL and abroad, I provide similar services under the label of “coaching“. Learn more here!
What is your cancellation policy?
Just as I value my clients’ time and hard earned money, I also value my own. The time we schedule together is sacred, and if you are cancelling your session with insufficient notice, you are taking time away from another client who potentially needs it. Because of this, I have a strict 48 hour cancellation policy. This means that any sessions cancelled within the 48 hour window, including “no-show“ sessions, will be charged the full rate of service.
Get help from a Religious Trauma Therapist.
Your pain is valid, what happened to you was wrong. You do not need to suffer alone.
It’s time to take your life back. Let’s start to build upon a foundation of healing and growth.
