Rachel has a fairly unique approach to treating eating disorders as a nutritionist. She recognizes that eating disorders are complex and are linked to different variables.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Eating Disorders and Nutrition

03:30Understanding Eating Disorder Specialists

07:51The Role of Registered Dietitians11:30Trauma and Eating Disorders

16:50Embodied Recovery Approach

21:04Reenactments of Past Trauma

24:22Integrating Body and Mind in Treatment28:21Building a Treatment Team

32:27Insurance and Payment Options

Dave Rogers, LPC has been treating Eating Disorders for decades. He is an expert in this area - I have seen the product of his work.

Elyse shares her own journey through body image, disordered eating, and residential treatment. Elyse is a counselor pursuing her Master's.

Summary

In this conversation, Tina Motley interviews Maria Volpe about her experience with spiritual abuse. Maria shares her journey of longing to know Jesus from a young age and how that desire made her vulnerable to manipulation. She explains that spiritual abuse occurs when desire is intentionally manipulated, just like in other forms of manipulation.

Maria also discusses the role of closed systems in perpetuating abuse, where the authority and power of the abuser are emphasized, and individuality is suppressed. She shares her personal story of being groomed and isolated by a spiritual leader who exploited her desire for God. Despite recognizing the abuse, she blamed herself and continued to allow it. Tina highlights the dynamics of internalizing blame and the complexity of covert spiritual abuse.

Covert spiritual abuse can happen on a large platform or in a smaller dynamic like a husband and wife relationship. It is manipulative and deceptive, using Christian language and scripture verses to control and silence others. The responsibility of safeguarding against spiritual abuse lies with every believer, and it is important to speak up and protect those who are being abused. The lack of advocacy and support can cause additional trauma for the victims.

Authentic community is a safeguard against spiritual abuse, where people have vulnerable and authentic relationships that allow for accountability and support.

Keywords: spiritual abuse, manipulation, desire, vulnerability, closed systems, authority, power, grooming, isolation, blame, covert abuse, covert spiritual abuse, manipulation, deception, Christian language, scripture verses, safeguarding, advocacy, authentic community, healing

Takeaways

• Desire makes individuals vulnerable to manipulation in any aspect of life, including spirituality.
• Spiritual abuse occurs when desire is intentionally manipulated, exploiting the longing to know God.
• Closed systems, where authority and power are emphasized and individuality is suppressed, perpetuate spiritual abuse.
• Victims of spiritual abuse often blame themselves and continue to allow the abuse.
• Covert spiritual abuse can be complex and difficult to recognize, leading to internalized blame. Covert spiritual abuse can happen on a large platform or in a smaller dynamic like a husband and wife relationship.
• Authentic community is a safeguard against spiritual abuse, where people have vulnerable and authentic relationships that allow for accountability and support.
• Healing from spiritual abuse requires both spiritual and therapeutic approaches.
• It is the responsibility of every believer to speak up and protect those who are being spiritually abused.
• Understanding Spiritual Abuse: Manipulation of Desire

• Recognizing Covert Spiritual Abuse: A Complex Reality Unmasking Covert Spiritual Abuse
• Healing from Spiritual Abuse: A Holistic Approach

• "We become more susceptible to spiritual deception when we want to find something deeper than what we are able to see in concrete evidence."
• "Desire is what you can play on to get someone to do anything you want."
• "Abuse manifests itself the most when we silence what we know to be true about ourselves for the sake of conformity to something bigger."
• "Covert spiritual abuse is so cunning and deceptive that it is more in agreement with what Paul said that he comes like an angel of light."
• "Covert spiritual abuse is something that's slapped with Christian language, without expressing the heart of our Heavenly Father and the nature of Jesus Christ."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:17 The Exploitation of Desire and Vulnerability

03:37 Manipulation of Spiritual Authority and Closed Systems

09:35 Reconciling the Abuse: Internalization of Blame

12:00 The Importance of Caution and Discernment

27:13 Covert Spiritual Abuse

31:30 Lack of Advocacy and Support

34:42 The Importance of Speaking Up

36:16 The Power Play of Leaders

45:31 Safeguarding Through Authentic Community

51:11 Healing from Spiritual Abuse

Summary

Dr. Lisa Compton, co-author of Skills for Safeguarding, discusses the importance of preventing abuse and fostering healing in the church. The book is a comprehensive guide for Christian leaders, lay counselors, and anyone interested in improving the safety of church culture. Dr. Compton emphasizes the need to address trauma and abuse within the church, as the majority of trauma is caused by someone known to the victim.

She highlights the role of safeguarders in promoting a safe environment, recognizing signs of abuse, and providing excellent care for trauma survivors. The book also addresses the issue of power differentials, the distortion of theology in abusive systems, and the importance of holding leaders accountable.

Keywords

abuse, church, safeguarding, trauma, prevention, healing, power differentials, theology, accountability

Takeaways

• The book Skills for Safeguarding provides a comprehensive guide for preventing abuse and fostering healing in the church.
• Safeguarders play a crucial role in promoting a safe environment, recognizing signs of abuse, and providing excellent care for trauma survivors.
• Power differentials and the distortion of theology can contribute to abusive systems within the church.
• Accountability and holding leaders responsible are essential in addressing abuse and creating a safe church culture.

• Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church
• The Role of Safeguarders in Promoting a Safe Church Environment

• "We discuss how power corrupts, some of the warning signs of abusive relationships."
• "Abuse is a global health crisis that affects every area of a person's life."
• "Understanding power differentials is a big part of safeguarding."

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00Recognizing Signs of Abuse and Warning Signs of Abusive Relationships

09:27The Global Health Crisis of Abuse and the Impact on Individuals

14:26Understanding Power Differentials and Their Role in Abuse

25:02Emotional and Spiritual Abuse within the Church

37:10Nathan: A Model Safeguarder in Confronting Sin and Calling for Repentance

Summary

In this conversation, Tina Motley and Kelsey Moffitt discuss the topic of spiritual abuse. Kelsey, a licensed clinical social worker, shares her expertise on ethical integration of faith into clinical practice and the importance of addressing religion and spirituality in mental health treatment.

They explore the definition of spiritual abuse and its various forms, including abuse within church contexts and the role of pastors and church leaders. They also discuss the impact of spiritual abuse on individuals, such as animosity towards religion and a distorted view of God.

The conversation touches on the covert nature of spiritual abuse and the importance of accountability and repentance. They also address the issue of modesty and the purity culture movement, emphasizing the need for grace and love in discussions about clothing choices.

The conversation concludes with a reminder that God hates abuse and that there is hope and support available for those who have experienced spiritual abuse.Keywordsspiritual abuse, ethical integration, faith, clinical practice, religion, spirituality, mental health, trauma, church, pastors, church leaders, covert abuse, grooming, narcissism, modesty, purity culture, accountability, repentance, grace, loveTakeaways

• Addressing religion and spirituality in mental health treatment is important for holistic care
• Spiritual abuse can occur in church contexts and involve pastors and church leaders
• Covert abuse can be subtle and manipulative, often using religious authority
• Grooming behavior involves gradually building trust and crossing boundaries
• Modesty discussions should involve grace, love, and consideration of both genders
• Listening to one's body and seeking support are important in recognizing and addressing spiritual abuse

• Grooming Behavior and Boundaries
• Modesty, Purity Culture, and Grace

• "If we're not being trained up on how to assess for what faith looks like for our clients, then we're gonna miss potentially one of the biggest parts of their lives."
• "Spiritual abuse is any form of hurting or harming somebody at the hands of religion."
• "Abuse happens when a person wields biblical doctrine or spiritual authority to manipulate, dominate, deflect or direct the narrative in his or her favor."

00:00Introduction and Background

06:54Defining and Recognizing Spiritual Abuse

28:18Modesty, Purity Culture, and Grace

37:45Listening to Your Body and Seeking Support

Melanie Stoudt, LPC is an experienced EMDR therapist and consultant. She has taught me so much over the years. She has witnessed tremendous healing through EMDR therapy to help individuals find freedom from the impact that trauma has had on their lives, functioning, and growth. Her focus is now exclusively working intensively with clients, to provide more targeted relief in order to respond in a more adaptive manner in one's current life. She provides EMDR intensives and you can find her on her webpage listed below. www.melaniestoudtlpc.com

Misty and I discuss trauma, spiritual warfare, and EMDR. Interesting chat!

Adrienne Loker, LCSW recognizes the role of the body in trauma. Adrienne is trained in various modalities to treat trauma and specializes in addiction. She shares some of her thoughts about trauma with us.

Adrienne offers many services, included intensive sessions. Check her out at https://www.seekingdepthtorecovery.com/adrienne-loker-trauma-therapist.