This story of someone’s first temple experience captures the freeze and fawn responses in action: “Before the session begins, one of the male temple workers says something like, ‘If you do not want to take upon these covenants, please stand up and leave.’ I was shocked. Everything inside of me wanted to run. How could I agree to stay without knowing what I was agreeing to? It was like signing a nondisclosure agreement before getting to read it. I was 18. I was too scared of what they’d do or say if I left, so I sat there like the good little Mormon girl, feeling my body scream from the inside… but no one could hear it except me.” This is just one of countless stories I’ve heard. The high-control nature of Mormonism often creates moments like this, where fear and uncertainty push people into survival responses like: •Freeze: Feeling paralyzed and unable to move or act, even though your body is screaming to get away. •Fawn: Suppressing your own needs and feelings to comply or avoid potential conflict or consequences. These responses are how the nervous system tries to protect you in situations that feel unsafe or overwhelming. #religioustrauma #traumaresponse #mormonism

When a child is asked about sexual behavior or "worthiness," it teaches them that their value is conditional and their body is subject to external judgment. This doesn't support moral development—it often conditions worth through obedience and compliance, and in many cases, crosses into sexual boundary violations. #religioustrauma #spiritualabuse #csaawareness

Friendly reminder to get to know the person behind the screen. 🫶#fyp #connection #letstalk #mentalhealth #therapist

Someone make it make sense ☕️ #survivingmormonism #religioustrauma #swig #utahtherapist

Part 3. Would love to know if anyone else struggled to “feel the spirit” growing up in the Church? #exmormon #exlds #healing #mybrainspottingjourney #brainspotting

Your feelings are valid. #religiousharm #mormonism #ldsgarments #purityculture

Because it’s so much deeper than changing the size of the sleeves. #purityculture #ldsgarments #religioustrauma #bodyimage

#intentions #monday #healing

YOU BUILT THIS CAGE. #religiousharm #ldsgarments #mormonsim #purityculture

Consider this my clap back. I plan to keep saying things out loud that the Church would prefer people like me stay quiet about. Silence has been normalized in my community—and in Mormonism—for far too long. I know, because I lived it growing up in Cedar City. If that offends you, I won’t be offended if you choose to unfollow, mute, or block my account. Because I know my words, humor, honesty, and authenticity help others feel seen, heard, believed, and less alone on their journey—and that’s who I’m here for. 🫶 #paintthetownred #purityculturedropout #someoneswife #forthegirls #fyp

Turns out the man I needed wasn’t the one religion told me I did. Forever grateful I had left it all behind before I ever walked into that bar. #healthylove

Religious trauma isn’t just emotional—it’s physiological. The culture we grow up in shapes our nervous system, our identity, and our sense of safety in the world. When that culture is rooted in high-control religion, it often teaches people to disconnect from their bodies, override their instincts, and silence their inner knowing in favor of obedience. In my Utah-based therapy practice, I see the impact of this every day. Chronic anxiety. Shame woven into identity. Difficulty trusting joy. Feeling unsafe in rest. People blaming themselves for trauma they never consented to. Religious trauma doesn’t always look like a single event—it’s often a series of subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages that slowly erode a person’s sense of autonomy, safety, and worth. And the body remembers. Even when someone leaves the religion, those patterns often linger. This is where healing work begins. Naming what happened. Understanding its impact. And slowly building a felt sense of safety in your own body again. Religious trauma is real. And if you’re struggling, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. #religioustrauma #mormontrauma #exmormon #purityculture #traumatherapist #utahtherapist #nervoussystemhealing #mentalhealthawareness #deconstruction #therapy #mentalhealthtiktok