By: Ethan Sanchez

“Shame flourishes when you can’t speak or question or ask,” says Ann Russo, licensed therapist and founder of AMR Therapy.

Religious trauma remains an overlooked but deeply damaging experience for many people—especially those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Therapist and mental health advocate Ann Russo joins Self Care Level 1000 and breaks down how shame, indoctrination, and spiritual control systems can quietly erode a person’s self-worth—and how to begin healing.

Understanding Religious Trauma and Shame

Religious trauma isn’t just about bad memories. According to Ann, it often results from high-control religious environments that enforce rigid beliefs. She cited Dr. Marlene Winell’s definition:

“A condition experienced by people who are struggling with leaving authoritative, dogmatic religion and coping with the damage of that indoctrination.”

Ann distinguishes religious shame from trauma by focusing on internalized feelings: “Shame is feeling like you yourself… are wrong. Something about you is wrong.”

She explains that shame often stems from being taught to suppress essential parts of oneself. “That shame does tend to be around natural instincts, which is your identity.”

Indoctrination and Its Lasting Impact

Ann emphasized how high-control religious systems often teach that people are “inherently bad.” For those raised in fundamentalist Christianity, this idea becomes part of how they see the world and themselves.

“There’s not a part of you that’s not touched by the way that you view whether or not you’re intrinsically evil, physically good.”

Even after leaving such environments, former members often carry that shame with them—in their thoughts, behaviors, and bodies. Ann shared: “When someone says they’re Christian to me, I freak out internally right away. That’s my go-to because… they’re going to hate me.”

Empathy, Self-Trust, and Community

To rebuild trust in oneself, Ann encourages clients to start by identifying their own values: “What do they value? What is their ethics? What is their morality?” The goal is not to strip away faith, but to build a personal framework that aligns with who they are today.

Ann also emphasized the importance of empathy—toward both the self and others. One approach she recommends is exposure to different communities and cultures:

“You build empathy through experience… It’s harder to have empathy for someone across the world, but it’s easier to have empathy for your neighbor.”

The Religious Trauma Treatment Model

Ann is currently writing a book that introduces her Religious Trauma Treatment Model. While not a new therapy modality, the model helps mental health providers guide clients through the identity loss and disconnection often caused by religious trauma.

She explains: “It’s very identity focused. It goes beyond symptom management to address how religious trauma disrupts identity and core belief.”

The model includes evidence-based practices like cognitive restructuring, exposure therapy, and values exploration. Ann also makes room for clients who want to stay in their faith:

“It’s not my role to stop them… The goal is always to cultivate peace within themselves.”

A Personal Mission Rooted in Lived Experience

Ann’s commitment is deeply personal. She shared a powerful story about a formative relationship within a church that ultimately shaped her life’s work.

“She really believed her feelings were wrong and that she was wrong for having those feelings… I see what that kind of internal shame can do to a person.”

That heartbreak became the catalyst for Ann’s transition into mental health advocacy. Her clinical work, trainings, and upcoming book all reflect that drive to help others reclaim autonomy, spirituality, and joy—on their own terms.

Listen to Ann’s full episode on the podcast here and feel free to reach out to her through the links on her website or click here to subscribe to her newsletter. 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. The views expressed by Ann Russo are based on her professional and personal experiences and do not reflect those of all practitioners. Individuals experiencing religious trauma or mental health concerns are encouraged to seek support from a licensed mental health professional.

Published by Mark V.