The Religious Power & Control Wheel: Recognizing Spiritual Abuse in Faith Contexts
Spirituality, at its best, offers connection, meaning, and comfort. But when faith is distorted into a tool for control, harm can happen in ways that are deeply personal and often invisible. Spiritual abuse can leave lasting wounds—and it's a reality many people are only just beginning to name.
At Embodied Therapy Group, we specialize in helping individuals heal from religious trauma. Through trauma-informed, somatic-based approaches, we support those who are rebuilding trust in themselves after spiritual harm.
What Is the Religious Power & Control Wheel?
The Religious Power & Control Wheel is a tool adapted from the original Power & Control Wheel developed in the context of domestic violence advocacy. It identifies the specific tactics used to manipulate, control, and silence individuals within religious settings.
While faith can be a source of support, it can also be misused to enforce obedience, suppress questioning, and maintain unchecked power. Understanding these patterns is a powerful step toward healing.
What Does Spiritual Abuse Look Like?
Common Tactics of Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse often hides behind language of love, righteousness, or "protection." Some signs include:
Mandatory submission to spiritual authorities without room for personal autonomy
Using "God says" or "the Bible says" to justify harmful behavior or decisions
No accountability for clergy or leadership, even when harm occurs
Decisions made on your behalf "for your own good," removing your agency
Threats of punishment (exclusion, damnation, divine wrath) for questioning or breaking group rules
Demanding strict belief or behavior conformity, often with severe consequences for non-adherence
Discouraging or forbidding questions, critical thinking, or personal exploration
Using sacred texts or religious roles to shame, silence, or oppress individuals
These tactics are not about fostering genuine connection or growth—they are about maintaining control.
The Emotional and Psychological Impacts
Spiritual abuse can leave deep emotional scars, including:
Chronic fear and anxiety
Shame around personal identity or spiritual beliefs
Loss of trust in one's own emotions and intuition
Isolation from supportive communities
Religious trauma symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, or deep grief
If you're experiencing these impacts, know that your reactions are valid. You are not weak or "unfaithful" for feeling hurt. Your body and mind are responding to real harm.
How Spiritual Abuse Breaks Trust
Spiritual abuse strikes at the core of a person's sense of self, safety, and connection to meaning. It often teaches that questioning is dangerous, that doubt equals failure, and that autonomy is rebellion.
In our religious trauma therapy, we often work with clients who were taught to fear their own bodies, desires, thoughts, and emotions. This disconnection can make it incredibly difficult to trust oneself—and healing means gently, patiently rebuilding that trust.
Reclaiming Your Voice After Spiritual Abuse
Healing from spiritual abuse is not about "losing faith" or "throwing everything away." It's about reclaiming your voice. It's about building a spiritual or meaning-making life that honors your autonomy, your questions, and your unique journey.
Here are a few steps we often support in therapy:
1. Validate Your Experience
The first step is acknowledging that what happened to you was real. Minimizing or spiritualizing away harm only deepens the wound. In our trauma therapy sessions in Fort Collins, we create space for your story—without judgment.
2. Reconnect with Your Inner Knowing
Through practices drawn from somatic therapy in Colorado, we help clients listen to the quiet wisdom of their own bodies again. Healing involves honoring intuition, sensation, and inner truth.
3. Explore New Frameworks
Whether it's redefining spirituality, embracing new forms of community, or learning new ways to relate to yourself and others, healing often involves creating spaces where your questions and differences are welcomed—not punished.
You Are Not Alone: Healing Is Possible
Spiritual abuse can leave you feeling isolated and confused, but you don't have to navigate this alone. At Embodied Therapy Group, we are committed to offering LGBTQ+ affirming therapy in Colorado, trauma-informed care, and spaces where all parts of you are welcomed.
Whether you're navigating religious deconstruction, healing from spiritual abuse, or seeking more authentic connection in your relationships, we are here to support you with compassion and expertise.
Begin Your Healing Journey Today
Healing from spiritual abuse is possible. You deserve spaces where your questions are honored, your emotions are valid, and your voice is heard.
If you're ready to reclaim your voice and rebuild trust in yourself, reach out to schedule a consultation. We're here to walk alongside you—at your pace, in your power.
