In this engaging episode, Rachel Flowers, a seasoned clinical therapist from Michigan, shares her story and professional journey. With over 16 years in private practice and a strong background in treating severe disordered eating, Rachel introduces her love for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. She delves into her specialization in trauma, particularly spiritual and religious trauma, and discusses the effects of conservative religious upbringing on women's embodiment and self-care practices. The conversation explores how Rachel uses EMDR to help clients uncover and process deeply ingrained fear, shame, and disembodiment stemming from their spiritual experiences.
Rachel lists several signs and symptoms that might indicate spiritual trauma, including:
Perfectionistic tendencies and fear of making mistakes.
A pervasive sense of inherent badness.
Disembodiment and difficulty connecting with one’s own body.
Confusion and fear around making decisions.
Shame and moralizing of bodily sensations.
Rachel emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one’s body and intuition. She advocates starting with positive sensations and how they feel in the body. This can be something as simple as recalling a pleasant experience, like spending time with a pet, to help clients recognize and name their bodily sensations.
Rachel, along with her sister, Charis also have a podcast: Beyond Sacred Scars: Women Reclaiming Their Narratives From Religious Wounds. Their hope is to create a safe space with individuals of all religious stories and landings can come together.
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