High Control Religions (HCR) and Religious Trauma Syndrome

HCRs can produce trauma that may have debilitating effects on children and adults. The presenter will talk about the negative effects, the challenging journey of leaving a HCR, and how victims of this trauma can construct a meaningful and healthy purpose and lifestance. The presenter will discuss the seminal work of Marlene Winell, PhD. Dr. Winell was the first to highlight the presence and complexity of religious trauma, the reasons for its persistence, and the nature of recovery. After the presentation, we will have an interactive discussion of the issues raised by Dr. Winell’s research and personal testimonies, and we will explore what can be done to help people leaving HCRs.