On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we have Mark Gregory Karris, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in San Diego, California. Dr. Karris specializes in religious trauma and couples therapy. He is also a bestselling author, known for his impactful books including The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and Sinful Self.

Dr. Karris shared his personal journey through religious trauma, beginning with his upbringing in a highly dysfunctional family and his subsequent immersion in a fundamentalist Pentecostal church. He recounted the intense fear and anxiety he experienced due to the church's teachings on hell, demons, and salvation, which significantly impacted his mental and emotional well-being.

Mark explains the complexities of religious trauma and the power of self-compassion and experiential healing. By acknowledging the impact of harmful doctrines and seeking support, individuals can heal from religious trauma, overcome fear and anxiety, and find inner peace.

We discussed:

• Experiencing fear, anxiety, and shame due to teachings about hell, wrathful God, and sinful self.

• How mindfulness, kindness, and common humanity can help develop self-compassion and heal from religious trauma.

• Creating compassionate figures or using personal connections to foster self-compassion.

• Understanding the inner critic's intentions and befriending it.

• Having funerals for internalized Others and reclaiming self-compassion and self-identity.

Learn more about Dr. Mark Gregory Karris:

Website: https://markgregorykarris.com/

The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and a Sinful Self: https://www.amazon.com/Diabolical-Trinity-Religious-Wrathful-Tormenting/dp/1948609886

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

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