Group Therapy to Heal Deep Relational Trauma Wounds
Available to Clients in TX, NC, CA and NY.
Sara J. Giles, MSW, LCSW, BCD
You’re not overreacting — what you’ve gone through is deeply painful. And it’s very normal to feel confused and alone, or to sometimes miss parts of a community that caused great harm. You’re not alone in this; many others have felt this, too.
Group therapy offers a steady, supportive place to make sense of your experience. Surrounded by others who get it - and led by a therapist who also gets it, you can begin to heal with people who relate to your story in a way few others can.
Is your religious cult or community leaving you emotionally drained and unsure of where you stand?
Maybe things felt ‘right’ at first—but over time, the warmth and sense of belonging has been replaced by confusion, fear and uncertainty.
Maybe your community was encouraging and accepting before - only to become cruel and cold if you’ve stepped out of line or aren’t following the strict rules imposed on you
Maybe you feel like you're walking on eggshells - unsure of how to win back favor
Maybe you’ve started to question your own memory, your reactions, or your sense of self
You try to hold things together, to please the group members and group leadership - but you’re wearing thin and becoming exhausted with the unrelenting demands
You know something’s not right—you just can’t quite name it.
After Being Shunned, Publicly Removed or Punished You might be:
Replaying conversations in your mind, trying to make sense of what went wrong or how you could’ve done things differently
Feeling deeply ashamed and that you’ve failed everyone - God, family, the group, with no one left to turn to for support or understanding
Struggling with your self-esteem, believing that you are broken, sinful and irredeemable
Watching friends and family gather without you, and feeling the sting of exclusion
Feeling deeply confused — part of you sensing the real injustice and wanting out, while another part wonders if it’s really “that bad”
Experiencing mental exhaustion from trying to hold yourself together
Whether you’re still inside the group but mentally checked out (PIMO), or you’ve already left, the aftermath can feel like everything you once knew is unraveling. This isn’t just emotional pain — it’s a nervous-system-level shock that can leave you questioning your value.
You’re not broken for feeling this way. These are very common responses to religious trauma.
A Safe Place to Speak Freely, and to Be Heard
Group therapy at Renaître — our Deconstruction Drop-In Circle — meets virtually twice on days often reserved for religious services. This intentional rhythm offers survivors a reliable space to gather, reflect, and begin making meaning of what they’ve lived through — together.
Each therapist-led group provides structure, safety, and a steady environment where you can:
Talk about what actually happened without being dismissed, gaslit, or silenced
Understand how guilt, fear, obligation, and “spiritual language” were used to control
Explore how indoctrination falsely convinced you that you were broken and beyond repair
Examine hypocrisy, contradictions, and double standards that once felt unchallengeable
Recognize common coercive tactics and patterns used across high-control systems
Learn to prioritize your wellbeing — financial, emotional, physical — without the shame or punishment you were conditioned to expect
Make room for an authentic version of yourself to emerge — one you may not have been allowed to know before, the real you—outside of coercive control and conditioning
Instead of being told to “accept God’s loving discipline” or to blame yourself, you’ll be met with compassion, respect, and curiosity. Together, we can unravel the group’s power over you.
Imagine What Healing Could Feel Like
Picture waking up, with a sense of peace - without the usual dread, guilt, or fear that you’ve disappointed everyone around you - God, your family, the group. Instead, imagine feeling:
Lighter—free from constant judgment and scrutiny
Supported and Accepted by people who value you, not your compliance
Free to make choices that reflect your own voice and values
Excited by life and the opportunities ahead, instead of bogged down by senseless rules, oppressive expectations and monotony -
Liberated to spend your time, your money and your life - as you’d like
Finally, genuinely free
When you’re no longer caught in the confusion and pressure of a high-control group, your energy shifts from survival to renewal. You begin rediscovering your interests, your creativity, and your strength. You start building a life where peace is not only possible—it’s inevitable.
When you’re ready to step into that healing space—where your worth is no longer contingent on compliance—you may find your next step in the work of Reclaiming - Blog POST HERE.
You don’t have to stay stuck. Here’s a blog article on Reclaiming Your Power that explains.
You deserve to feel safe in your own mind again.
If you’re ready to walk away from what’s hurting you the most -
Click below to book your free consultation and let’s talk about what support could look like for you.