Live beyond religious trauma.
Mental health care for humans hurt by high-control religion and spiritual abuse.
I offer one-on-one therapy sessions—online or in-person in Calgary, Alberta—for those who have been harmed by religion.
My approach is:
non-judgmental (there’s no such thing as a sinful question)
secular (no sneaky theological agendas)
collaborative (because you know yourself better than I ever could)
evidence-based (imagination and creativity, yes; dogma and wishful-thinking, nope)
trauma-informed (I prioritize your safety, so you can do the courageous things that matter to you)
Hi, I’m Ryan.
I was raised in a fundamentalist Christian tradition. Sinners are burning in Hell for eternity. Evolution is a lie from Satan. Men hold authority at church and in the home.
And I’ve felt the bottom drop out when my tidy worldview stopped making sense to me. I felt the …
confusion | doubt | disillusionment | suspicion
alienation | betrayal | gaslighting | nausea
anger | anxiety | fear | nightmares
sadness | grief | depression
wonder | peace | excitement | resolve
Now, I hold space for others going through similar experiences. I’m talking non-judgemental, caring space.
Like you deserve.
I’ve been there, too.
Aside from personal experience, my work builds on professional training both in mental health care and in the academic study of religion.
Expertise in trauma and in religion.
MA in Counselling Psychology Yorkville University
2.5 year graduate program
supervised practicum
training in various therapeutic methods
7+ years of teaching the study of religion
focus on the origins, history, and interpretation of the Bible
research and publication on ancient religion
PhD in Religious Studies University of British Columbia
Canadian Certified Counsellor Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
professional accountability
a code of ethics
ongoing supervision and training
Ready to get started?
This free 20-minute online meeting give you a chance to meet me and ask any questions you may have.
1) Schedule a consultation. (optional)
You’ll receive instructions regarding consent, confidentiality, and payment, as well as an optional questionnaire. During your intake session, we’ll collaborate to identify realistic goals for therapy.
2) Schedule an intake session.
Sessions are offered in-person in Calgary, Alberta, or online elsewhere in Canada. Click HERE for more details.
If you have any difficulty booking a time, don’t hesitate to reach out for admin support at admin@kerryschroeder.ca or 778.655.0904
After the intake process, you can claim a weekly or monthly spot—or book sessions spontaneously, as you see fit. We’ll always spend our time on the things that matter most to you.
3) Book sessions as you like!
Not quite sure it’s “religious trauma”?
Religious trauma and spiritual abuse can take many forms, including:
childhood indoctrination
emotional illiteracy and repression
belief-based coercion and lost autonomy
purity culture and sexual shame
rigid gender expectations
homophobia and transphobia
religion-based discrimination or persecution
fear of divine punishment, Hell, demons, etc.
anxiety relating to end times, an apocalypse, etc.
anxiety (or obsessions and compulsions) relating to “sin”
existential dread, doubts, depression
What therapy for religious trauma might include:
rewriting/retelling the stories that define you
clarifying your personal values and meaning in life
identifying old beliefs that continue to limit you or prolong suffering
exploring new ways to relate to your thoughts, your body, your past, your family, and more
expanding psychological skills (e.g., emotional intelligence, distress tolerance, mindfulness, acceptance)