Our Pastor Rev. Dr. Christie Love completed her Doctoral Work at Eden Theological Seminary, where she focused her study on religious trauma. She has a deep passion for supporting those who have had negative religious experiences and has experience in creating resources and programs that support processing and growing from these unique traumas. You can explore her research work by visiting her Substack page.

This group aims to provide support and cultivate an empathic, understanding environment focused on healing. This group is a peer-led support group and is not meant to replace mental health care and/or therapy. Anyone in the Yakima Valley harmed by faith-based systems, relationships, teachings, or experiences is welcome to join us.

Group Guidelines:

In order to ensure a safe space for everyone who attends the group, we ask that all participants follow these guidelines:

1. Respect privacy- what is shared in the group needs to stay with the group and not be shared with others as gossip.

2. Collaborative Space- We strive to use dialogue rather than monologues to encourage conversation and connection so everyone feels included and has a chance to share.

3. No Proselytizing- This is not a space where participants or we invite others to church or faith-based involvement. We respect that faith is a personal journey that is unique to each participant.

4. Support, Not Solutions- This group is focused on supporting one another through processing and healing from religious trauma. You are welcome to share resources that have been helpful on your journey, but please refrain from telling others what or how they should be healing. We center lived experience and evidence in our discussions.

5. Be Respectful- We may not always agree with one another’s views on issues, but we will always strive to be respectful towards one another in the group.