Episode 201: Ashley Buckner LMFT | Nothing changes if nothing changes - how to recognize and heal from religious trauma.
From Parrish The Thought by Brian Keith Parrish
February 4, 2026 · 55 min · Episode 201
About this episode
The episode discusses religious trauma with therapist Ashley Buckner, exploring its impact and the path to healing.
Ladies and gentlemen and whoever else is listening, welcome back to the show. CONTENT WARNING - The opinions of the host and our guests have not been sanitized or scientifically tested so please consume at your own risk. In this episode, we sit down with Ashley Buckner, LMFT, to talk honestly about something many people in high control/demand religions or groups feel but struggle to name: religious trauma. Together, we explore what religious trauma actually is, how it shows up in individuals and families, and why it often goes unrecognized in deeply faith-centered communities. Ashley brings a therapist’s clarity and compassion to a complex topic, helping us distinguish between healthy faith, harmful systems, and the quiet wounds that can linger when belief, identity, and belonging collide. This conversation isn’t about tearing down faith—it’s about awareness, accountability, and the possibility of healing and growth for individuals and for the church itself. REFERENCES Brainspotting - https://brainspotting.com/ CONTACT ASHLEY Website - https://www.ashleybucknerlmft.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleyb_therapy/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ashleyb_therapy X…
People in this episode
Host: Brian Keith Parrish
Guest: Ashley Buckner
Topics covered
- religious trauma
- healing
- faith
- mental health
- identity
- community
Keywords
- religious trauma
- healing journey
- faith and healing
- mental health
- therapy
- LDS Church
- identity
- community
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Brainspotting, ashleybucknerlmft.com, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), In Session with Ashley B
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