Untangled Faith 145: Holy Hurt: Spiritual Trauma and Paths to Restoration, Guest: Hillary McBride
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Sep 30, 2025 Hillary McBride, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Holy Hurt,' dives deep into the concept of spiritual trauma. She explores the complexities of defining spiritual abuse versus trauma, revealing how systemic issues can perpetuate harm. Hillary emphasizes the importance of curiosity and recognition in healing, while addressing the challenge of sharing survivor stories ethically. The conversation highlights generational differences in processing spiritual pain, and how new communities can foster safety without replicating past harms.
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Curiosity Builds Kinship
- Curiosity from people inside faith communities can bridge gaps with survivors of spiritual trauma.
- Hillary McBride says wanting to learn about another's pain models kinship and repair.
Naming Can Feel Like Unraveling
- Realizing spiritual harm can feel like a worldview unraveling and be terrifying.
- McBride describes encountering research and therapy frameworks that revealed more personal impact than expected.
Ask About Spiritual Meaning
- Ask about spiritual meaning when assessing trauma rather than dismissing it as 'not spiritual'.
- Hillary McBride advises clinicians to include existential questions to extend clinical competence.
