Healing from religious trauma as an LGBTQ+ person
How faith-based rejection can leave lasting shame and guilt, and ways to heal on your own terms.
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
✓ Medically reviewed by Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
For many LGBTQ+ people, faith was once a source of belonging. When it became a source of shame, the hurt can run deep. Healing is possible, and it can look many different ways.
What religious trauma can look like
Lingering guilt, fear of punishment, black-and-white thinking, anxiety around sex or relationships, and a harsh inner voice are common. Some people grieve the community, rituals or sense of meaning they lost.
Shame is not the truth about you
Messages you heard as a child can feel like facts, even when you no longer believe them. Noticing that voice and asking, “Whose words are these?” can create a little space between you and the shame.
Finding meaning again
Some people find an affirming faith community. Others build spirituality through nature, meditation or creativity. Some step away from religion entirely. There’s no right path, only the one that brings you peace.
Support that understands
Working with an affirming provider means you won’t have to defend your identity or your beliefs. Therapy can help untangle guilt and anxiety, and treatment for related depression or trauma symptoms can make healing feel more possible.
A gentle next step
A free 15-minute phone consult is an easy way to see if Wellthy Psychiatry feels like the right fit for you.
This article is for general education and isn’t medical advice. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911.
About the author
Earl Johns, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner · UCSF-trained · Founder of Wellthy Psychiatry & Wellness
Earl provides LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent-affirming psychiatric care, blending medication management, therapy and whole-person approaches. He sees clients in San Francisco and by telehealth across California.
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