Dr. Hillary L. McBride

Psychologist, author and speaker

I’m a psychologist, author, researcher, and speaker. My life’s work is to reconnect people with their bodies, courage, and inner knowing so they can heal what has hurt, explore new ways of being, and live lives of meaning, authenticity, and vibrancy with their communities.

As seen on

“There must be something more…”

We think so too. Join our community of inquiring minds and restless hearts as we explore the ideas we were never allowed to talk about at the dinner table.

Speaking engagements

I offer talks and conversations that invite reflection, critical thinking and embodied understanding. If you’re interested in bringing this work to your organization or community, you can inquire below.

Invite Hillary to speak
Invite Hillary to speak

Holy Hurt

Rebuilding trust, connection, and hope after spiritual trauma

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.

Learn More
Learn More

Other Books by Hillary

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Sometimes I think it was a miracle, sometimes luck, that I chose a life with you, that we chose eachother, when we were just kids. I had no idea then that who and what we would grow into could be this beautiful, or that the path of walking alongside
June round up: - the bouquet to put all other bouquets to shame. Thank you to @drmaryclaire and your team for this perfect explosion of beauty that made my jaw drop - on a little harbour air flight commuting home from a work trip with my best girl, m
I have had various seasons of death anxiety, ranging from covert and tucked behind the edges of things I was doing to manage it, to blinding episodes of panic. But nothing has changed my relationship to death like embracing it. For that matter, it ha
We finished another transference training last week. As we were driving away from this courageous, playful, and inspiring group of clinicians, I had the thought: I wish I knew sooner in my life how fruitful, fun, and, rich it could be to climb into
I am delighted to share the news that again, by some miracle, I have the privilege of growing a person in my body. Having experienced pregnancy loss, a subsequently painful fertility path, and the fierceness of community love that has at times been t
Last two Form and Space events for the summer: July 22 in abbotsford July 28 in victoria The Abbotsford event will be a special * special HITS/COVERS * edition to get us all moving. Tickets are up on my website and link in bio. It is such an honor
We have been cooking up something special to celebrate this new book, to make space to be together as bodies, and to honor the beautiful complexity of living as bodies which includes both power and pain. July 20, 5pm PT. There is no cost if you h
Ages ago, I (@hillaryliannamcbride ) said a few words about embodiment and emotions on a podcast episode, and artist Susanna Chapman (@susannachap ) was moved to put them into images. We first released this collab a few years ago and every time we do
Oh hey Victoria: wanna come move with me? Bring your play, your Eros, your writers block, your sad heart, crushed dream, new idea, celebration energy, confusion, rage, creative potential, mother wound, body image stuff, heart break, existential quest
There are still one more day to get your hat in the ring for a Holy Hurt care package giveaway. Included in what I’ll mail you is one of these bandanas. I worked closely with @katpetillo (designer, artist, and creative maven extraordinaire) for
When Holy Hurt came out last year we pulled together some incredible treasures to go along with the book release: and I have extras I would love to share with you to celebrate one year (and one month:) of the book being in the world. I’m goin
Forget hot girl summer: I want rhubarb girl summer. Slow batches of simple syrup simmered to send scent through the whole home. Enough jars of this and more than enough of that from the garden for my neighbours. Slow enough to be seduced by senses a