Unveiling Religious Trauma: A Feminist Perspective on Personal Narratives, Assessment
Tools, and Psychospiritual Care

9:00-9:50 a.m.

This dissertation presents an inductive research methodology aimed at exploring the
understudied phenomenon of religious trauma and its assessment tools through a feminist lens.
The research journey commenced with the collection and analysis of personal narratives from
individuals who have experienced religious trauma. These narratives served as the foundation for identifying patterns and themes crucial for developing hypotheses guiding the investigation of existing spiritual assessment tools and the formulation of a religious trauma screening tool. By centering the narratives of religious trauma survivors, this study seeks to empower individuals and communities affected by religious trauma while advocating for social change within academic and professional spheres related to chaplaincy, counseling, and social work.

Engaging in qualitative research, this study unveiled insights into the multifaceted nature of
religious trauma, emphasizing the significance of incorporating personal experiences into the
research process. Also central to this research is the integration of a feminist perspective, which
underscores the importance of amplifying marginalized voices and recognizing the intersections
of gender and race, power, and religious trauma. Furthermore, this dissertation adopts a
transdisciplinary approach, bridging academic disciplines and professional fields to address the
complexities of religious trauma and to provide a screening resource that is trauma-informed and seriously considers experiences of intersectionality.

This dissertation introduces the Shepley Religious Trauma Screening Tool (SRTST), designed to
function within a trauma-informed psychotherapeutic and psychospiritual care system. The
SRTST aims to assist chaplains, counselors, and professionals in child welfare in recognizing
religious trauma symptoms and adverse religious experiences among children and youth
populations, thus facilitating early intervention and support.