HEALING FROM HOLY HARM STARTS HERE.
Religious Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA
Services available virtually throughout California & Utah
It’s time to unlearn the fear-based messages, release the shame you were never meant to carry, and reconnect with the truth of who you are. You don’t have to keep living in survival mode, bracing for judgment or questioning your worth. Healing from religious trauma is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
You’re in the right place if…
⟡ You’re constantly second-guessing yourself, afraid that making the “wrong” choice will lead to shame, punishment, or rejection.
⟡ You feel overwhelmed by guilt anytime you set boundaries, especially with family, church, or faith communities.
⟡ You still hear the inner critic that sounds a lot like your old pastor, parent, or spiritual leader.
⟡ You’ve left the church (or are thinking about it), but fear, shame, or spiritual anxiety still live in your body.
⟡You want to trust your own voice, but years of being told your intuition was sinful or wrong makes that feel impossible.
⟡ You’re grieving a version of community or faith that once gave you comfort, even though you know you made the right choice to walk away.
Religious Trauma Therapy in Pasadena, CA can help!
What if you could go from:
⟡ Feeling weighed down by fear, guilt, and shame → Living your own truth, free from rules that kept you small?
⟡ Silencing your intuition → Trusting your inner voice and letting it guide your choices?
⟡ Feeling disconnected from your body & emotions → Knowing that your body is wise, good, and safe?
⟡ Saying “yes” out of obligation or fear → Saying “no” with clarity & confidence, because your needs matter?
⟡ Carrying beliefs that no longer align with you → Creating a life rooted in freedom, authenticity, & self-trust?
Step 1.
We’ll start by building safety and trust. This is a space where you don’t have to explain your faith background or defend your experiences. You get to share your story without fear, guilt, or judgment.
Step 2.
We’ll gently explore how religious trauma has shaped your thoughts, emotions, body, and relationships This will help you begin to understand what’s happening inside you and why it makes so much sense.
Step 3.
You’ll learn tools to help regulate your nervous system, quiet internalized shame, and rebuild trust in yourself. Together, we’ll help you create a life rooted in freedom, authenticity, and self-compassion.
MEET YOUR RELIGIOUS TRAUMA THERAPIST
STEPHANIE HARIMOTO, LMFT
Hi, I’m Stephanie, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who helps adults heal from the pain and confusion of religious trauma. If you’re carrying shame from high-control faith systems, wrestling with spiritual anxiety, or learning to trust yourself after years of being told not to - you’re not alone.
I specialize in supporting people who are deconstructing their beliefs, setting boundaries for the first time, and trying to figure out who they are outside of what they were taught to be.
I do this work because I’ve lived it. I know how disorienting and lonely it can feel to untangle yourself from harmful doctrine and find your voice again. You deserve to feel safe in your body, confident in your choices, and connected to the truth of who you are.
GET THE ANSWERS YOU NEED
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Religious trauma happens when spiritual beliefs, teachings, or communities cause lasting harm - emotionally, psychologically, or physically. It can show up as anxiety, shame, people-pleasing, difficulty trusting yourself, or fear of punishment or rejection. Even if your experience doesn’t seem “bad enough,” if it left a mark, it matters.
You can learn more about it in my blog here
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If your faith community or upbringing left you feeling afraid, ashamed, disconnected from your body, or like you couldn’t be your full self, it likely had an impact. You don’t need a label to validate your pain. If something feels off, that’s enough!
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Not at all. I work with people all along the spectrum. I work with some who’ve left religion completely, some who are still in faith communities, and many who are somewhere in between. My goal isn’t to tell you what to believe. It’s to help you feel safe, supported, and free to explore what’s true for you.
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Yes! Trauma isn’t about how long ago it happened, it’s about how your body and nervous system still hold that experience. Therapy helps you process what’s stuck, release what’s not yours, and reclaim your voice and power in the present.
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My fee for services is $225 per 50-minute session. I have a limited amount of sliding scale slots that will be prioritized for BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ clients. There is no guarantee that any of these will be available at the time you call. Please let me know if you need sliding scale fees during our call. If I cannot accommodate, I am happy to point you in a direction to meet your financial needs.
*If you are a Utah resident, please reach out to me regarding therapy rates!
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I am currently considered to be an out of network mental health provider.
I am happy to provide you a superbill each month to give to your insurance. Please check with your insurance about your out of network mental health benefits - many of my clients are able to get reimbursement from their insurance.
Why you should consider working with an “out of network” therapist:
No limitations on sessions. We can meet for as long as you need without having to worry if insurance will cut us off, or end coverage, which could abruptly end your care.
Allows me to offer you more flexible, personalized, and intentional care.
Helps me keep your information completely confidential, without needing to share diagnosis or notes with insurance companies.
Allows us to avoid surprise billing issues, which can lead to lapses in treatment.
Lets us focus on what’s best for you, not what insurance says is best for you!
NEED SOMETHING ELSE?
Other Services
THERAPY FOR TRAUMA & PTSD
For anyone who’s been carrying the weight of past trauma, whether it be emotional, relational, or systemic. Let’s help you to feel safe, grounded, and fully yourself again.
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⟡ Process trauma held in the body, mind, and nervous system
⟡ Explore and unlearn patterns rooted in survival, not self-trust
⟡ Build tools for emotional regulation, boundaries, and self-compassion
⟡ Receive steady, non-judgmental support at your pace
ANXIETY TREATMENT
For those who feel stuck in their head, overwhelmed by “what ifs,” or like they can’t ever fully relax. It’s time to take a breath and find steadiness.
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⟡ Techniques to calm your nervous system and reduce overwhelm
⟡ Support in understanding your anxiety’s roots and patterns
⟡ Tools for building self-trust and confidence
⟡ A warm, collaborative space to slow down and breathe
LGBTQIA+ THERAPY
For LGBTQIA+ folks who are tired of feeling like they have to explain themselves or justify their experiences. Here, you don’t have to. Your story is honored, and your identity is valid.
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⟡ A safe space to explore your identity without judgment
⟡ Support navigating family, cultural, or religious pressures
⟡ Affirming care that centers your unique lived experiences
⟡ Tools for managing anxiety, shame, and relational dynamics
EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy services are grounded in the belief that your mind and body hold the wisdom to heal. I’m here to guide you in processing painful memories, calming your nervous system, and building self-trust along the way. Our goal is to create a safe and supportive space where you can reconnect with your sense of strength, clarity, and resilience.
READY TO START?
Let’s do it!
You’ve carried the weight for long enough. Let’s work together to help you find relief, safety, and self-compassion. Reach out to schedule a free consultation. Your healing is possible.