Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Spiritual Issues in Counseling (Rev. Robert Pardon; Judy Pardon)
2017
Some apply the term spiritual abuse to any kind of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse that takes place in a religious context. Others apply the term specifically to manipulations that damage a person's relationship to God or to his/her core self. Spiritual abuse has been reported in mainstream religious organizations as well as nonmainstream groups, such as cults.
The terms psychological abuse or emotional abuse refer to harms that overlap those associated with both of these conceptualizations of spiritual abuse. These harms include but are not limited to damaged self-esteem, induced dependency, impaired capacity to trust oneself or others, and emotional reactions such as anger, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, one's faith in God may also be shaken.
To a large degree, the choice of a term, psychological abuse or spiritual abuse, depends upon the framework (psychological or religious) with which the speaker/writer feels comfortable. This two-day conference finds value in resources coming from psychological and religious frameworks, though obviously some issues, e.g., questions about God's mercy, may require religious concepts to address properly. The conference is aimed at those who were spiritually abused, whether recently or in the past, family members concerned about a loved one, and helping professionals, including pastors and therapists.
The agenda will include the following topics:
The varieties of abuse
Coping with triggers
Personal accounts of spiritual abuse
Psychological issues in counseling
Spiritual issues in counseling
How can churches and synagogues become spiritual safe havens
Spiritual abuse victims dialogue with religious and mental health professionals
Open discussion
Spiritual Issues in Counseling (Rev. Robert Pardon; Judy Pardon)
2017
Some apply the term spiritual abuse to any kind of psychological, physical, or sexual abuse that takes place in a religious context. Others apply the term specifically to manipulations that damage a person's relationship to God or to his/her core self. Spiritual abuse has been reported in mainstream religious organizations as well as nonmainstream groups, such as cults.
The terms psychological abuse or emotional abuse refer to harms that overlap those associated with both of these conceptualizations of spiritual abuse. These harms include but are not limited to damaged self-esteem, induced dependency, impaired capacity to trust oneself or others, and emotional reactions such as anger, anxiety, and depression. In some cases, one's faith in God may also be shaken.
To a large degree, the choice of a term, psychological abuse or spiritual abuse, depends upon the framework (psychological or religious) with which the speaker/writer feels comfortable. This two-day conference finds value in resources coming from psychological and religious frameworks, though obviously some issues, e.g., questions about God's mercy, may require religious concepts to address properly. The conference is aimed at those who were spiritually abused, whether recently or in the past, family members concerned about a loved one, and helping professionals, including pastors and therapists.
The agenda will include the following topics:
The varieties of abuse
Coping with triggers
Personal accounts of spiritual abuse
Psychological issues in counseling
Spiritual issues in counseling
How can churches and synagogues become spiritual safe havens
Spiritual abuse victims dialogue with religious and mental health professionals
Open discussion
