On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we are joined by Laurie Wevers, a licensed marriage and family therapist and spiritual director who specializes in treating religious trauma and assisting individuals in connecting with their spirituality post trauma.

Based out of the Washington DC area, Laurie has a deep personal connection to the work she does, rooted in her own experiences of growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community and navigating the complexities of embracing her queer identity within that context.

However, her experiences in the church led her to question the institutional approach to spirituality and seek a path that prioritized genuine connection and inclusion. This ultimately propelled her toward spiritual direction, a transformative process that she now advocates for, especially for those seeking a non-religious path to spirituality.

Throughout the episode, Laurie provides insight into the complexity of navigating religious trauma and finding solace on a non-religious spiritual path. Her story is a testament to the idea that it is possible to find peace, authenticity, and a sense of belonging outside the structure of organized religion.

We discussed:

• Laurie’s experience of growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community and the challenges she faced in reconciling her queer identity with her spiritual beliefs.

• The practice of spiritual direction, where Laurie uses rituals, intuitive listening and heart centered questions to help individuals reconnect with their true selves after leaving structured faith systems.

• Fear and isolation one may feel when stepping away from a religious belief system.

• Concept of freefall and the courage it takes to trust in oneself or the universe during this transition.

• Laurie’s personal struggle with coming out later in life and the subsequent estrangement from family.

• Importance of boundaries, the value of a chosen family, and the transformative power of hope and love in embracing one’s true self.

• How language can be triggering for those healing from spiritual trauma and the importance of creating supportive spaces that allow for healing without re-traumatization.

Learn more about Laurie Wevers:

https://laurie-wevers.clientsecure.me/

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.