Holy Hurt
Rebuilding trust, connection, and hope after spiritual trauma
4.7/5 on Amazon
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Too often the institutions and communities that are meant to be the most holy in our lives end up deeply hurting us. Religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and faith-based wounds can leave lasting scars that impact every aspect of our lives.
In Holy Hurt, award-winning clinical psychologist Hillary L. McBride delivers a profound message: spiritual trauma is real, widespread, and has far-reaching consequences. More importantly, she provides hope and practical guidance for those seeking healing from religious trauma and spiritual abuse.
McBride expertly combines clinical research, trauma literature, and compelling interviews with experts to create a comprehensive guide for spiritual trauma recovery. Each chapter includes first-person accounts of healing and practices to help readers process their experiences and begin their journey toward wholeness.
This essential resource empowers trauma survivors, family members, clergy, counselors, and anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics of spiritual abuse. Whether you're healing from religious trauma, supporting someone who has experienced it, or working to prevent it in faith communities, Holy Hurt offers the clinical expertise and compassionate guidance you need.
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Introduction — 1
The House Is Haunted — 7
Mihee Kim-Kort and K.J. Ramsey on Defining Spiritual Trauma — 33Shards of Glass — 39
J.S. Park on Fear-Based Spiritual Trauma — 64Pulling Back the Curtain — 67
Preston Hill on the Systems and Process of Spiritual Trauma — 87All in the Family — 91
Alison Cook and William Matthews on Learning to See Patterns That Perpetuate Spiritual Abuse — 114How We Feel — 121
Laura Anderson on Power, Control, and the Savior Complex — 145Seeing and Believing — 149
Alison Cook and J.S. Park on Healing — 178Mending and Meaning — 183
Roberto Che Espinoza on Communal Healing and Belonging — 216Unsettling Ourselves — 219
Mark Charles on the Legacy and Healing of Spiritual Trauma — 235
Conclusion: Grief Is a Form of Hope — 247
Acknowledgments — 253
Notes — 257