Module 2: Religious Trauma and the Nervous System

This module explores how the four core autonomic nervous system responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—manifest in individuals recovering from high-control religious environments. Grounded in polyvagal theory and trauma research, participants will examine how these responses reflect adaptive survival mechanisms shaped by chronic fear, coercion, and spiritual overcontrol. The module connects specific nervous system states to common clinical presentations such as religious overperformance, emotional numbing, spiritual dissociation, and loss of boundaries in the presence of religious authority. Emphasis is placed on understanding neuroception and how misread cues of safety and danger can perpetuate trauma patterns. Clinicians will gain the tools to distinguish between trauma adaptations and personality traits, using case studies to support clinical application.

The second half of the module focuses on experiential practice with three body-based interventions designed to restore interoceptive awareness, support emotional regulation, and rebuild nervous system connection. These include Mapping the Nervous System using the Polyvagal Ladder, Interoceptive Tracking to improve sensation awareness, and Pendulation with Safety Anchors to gently support titration between distress and safety. Each intervention is presented with adaptations for clients with religious trauma, emphasizing pacing, consent, and bodily autonomy. Clinicians will leave with greater confidence using somatic tools that support clients whose healing cannot be accessed through cognition alone.

This course is approved by APA and NBCC for 1.5 Continuing Education Credits.