Episode 201: Ashley Buckner LMFT | Nothing changes if nothing changes - how to recognize and heal from religious trauma.
Wed Feb 04 2026
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 (Twitter) - https://x.com/ashleyb_therapy
Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-session-with-ashley-b/id1766821542
#ReligiousTrauma #HealingJourney #FaithAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaInformed #UtahVoices #TherapyTalk #FaithDeconstruction
#NothingChangesIfNothingChanges #LDSChurch #MormonChurch #IAmAMormon
Because real change doesn’t start with defensiveness—it starts with being curious.
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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 (Twitter) - https://x.com/ashleyb_therapy Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-session-with-ashley-b/id1766821542 #ReligiousTrauma #HealingJourney #FaithAndHealing #MentalHealthMatters #TraumaInformed #UtahVoices #TherapyTalk #FaithDeconstruction #NothingChangesIfNothingChanges #LDSChurch #MormonChurch #IAmAMormon Because real change doesn’t start with defensiveness—it starts with being curious.