Religious Trauma Therapy NYC:
Unlearn Fear—Reclaim Your Fullest Self
Religious Trauma Can Make You Feel Lost. But You Can Reclaim Your Life.
A Safe Space for All, and especially LGBTQ+ Individuals in NYC
Photo by Karl Fredrickson
You’ve left the church—or maybe you’re still inside it—but the guilt, shame, and fear linger. Sometimes the voices of pastors or parents echo louder than your own. You want to trust yourself. To stop spiraling. To finally breathe.
My name is Eric. Religious trauma therapy isn’t about changing what you believe—it’s about healing the pain of being told who you should be. Whether you're deconstructing, redefining, or holding on to pieces of your faith, therapy with me can help you untangle fear-based conditioning, reconnect with your intuition, and build a life that feels like it’s finally yours.
Therapy isn’t about ‘fixing’ you—it’s about helping you unlearn what no longer serves you and step into a life that feels more like your own.
Hi, I’m Eric Hovis (he/him) a Queer Therapist in NYC who specializes in Religious Trauma.
Healing from religious trauma means reclaiming your voice, your body, and your ability to trust yourself. As a licensed mental health counselor in NYC, Eric M Hovis, specializes in religious trauma, LGBTQ+ mental health, and complex trauma, and helps clients break free from fear-based conditioning and step into a life that feels truly their own.
My name is Eric Hovis (he/him), and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Online Therapist in New York City.
I know what it’s like to live in systems that said they loved you but also taught you to be afraid of your full self. I help LGBTQ+ individuals and others harmed by rigid religious systems heal the deep wounds of shame, identity conflict, and spiritual abuse—so they can move forward with clarity, trust, and integrity. My approach is compassionate, structured, and deep—rooted in evidence-based care and real human connection.
Why Religious Trauma Therapy with Me is Different
Heal the Deep Emotional Wounds
We use EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and somatic-based practices to shift patterns of fear, shame, and internalized judgment—without needing to relive every painful memory.
Rebuild Trust in Your Inner Compass
We’ll work gently with guilt, confusion, and old thought loops so you can stop outsourcing your worth and start making choices aligned with who you really are.
Redefine or Reclaim What You Believe—Without Shame
Whether you leave your faith, stay, or create something entirely new, therapy offers a space to find your way without fear or dogma.
Ready to Get Started? Book a Free Consultation
I know reaching out can feel like a big step, but I’ll make it easy. We’ll spend 15-minutes on the phone and I’ll let you know how or if I can help. If I am not the right fit, I’ll do my best to get you to the right person.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
You can also learn more about my approach, credentials, and experience on my About page. My other specialties include Anxiety Therapy, EMDR Therapy, and LGBTQ Therapy.
Let Go of Shame—Step Into Self-Trust
What It’s Like to Work with Me
Therapy with Me Is…
Affirming & Non-Judgmental → You don’t have to explain your trauma or defend your experience. I understand these systems from the inside out.
Deep & Grounded → I integrate evidence-based trauma work with space for meaning-making, identity exploration, and emotional relief.
Compassionate & Direct → You’ll have space to feel what needs feeling—and we’ll also build real tools to help you navigate life right now.
Think we might be a good fit?
Interested in having a conversation to see if we might be a good fit or if I can be helpful to you, we can schedule a free, no-obligation, 15-minute conversation. Let’s start this journey together.
What is Religious Trauma?
Religious trauma can show up in many ways, but at its core, it’s the lingering impact of spiritual abuse, high-control religious environments, or rigid belief systems that made fear, shame, and compliance more important than your individuality and well-being.
Some common signs of religious trauma include:
Persistent guilt or shame, even after leaving your faith
Fear of punishment or rejection for living authentically
Difficulty trusting yourself or making decisions without outside approval
Struggles with relationships, boundaries, or self-worth
Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions after years of suppressing them
You don’t have to carry this alone. Healing is possible.
FAQs
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Religious trauma therapy isn’t about telling you what to believe—it’s about helping you heal and build a sense of self that isn’t driven by fear, guilt, or external control. Whether you want to hold onto your faith, redefine it, or leave it behind, I provide a space that respects your journey.
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Religious trauma isn’t just about what you were taught—it’s about how those beliefs shaped your nervous system, emotions, and self-worth. Many people experience lingering guilt, anxiety, or difficulty trusting themselves even after leaving. Therapy helps untangle those patterns so you can move forward with confidence.
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No. My goal isn’t to change your beliefs—it’s to help you reclaim your autonomy so that whatever you believe (or don’t believe) is something you truly choose, not something dictated by past conditioning.
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Religious doubt is a normal part of questioning and growth. Religious trauma happens when rigid beliefs or high-control environments cause psychological harm, often leading to anxiety, shame, or difficulty trusting yourself. If your past religious experiences still cause distress, therapy can help.
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I am an out-of-network provider, which means I don’t take insurance directly, but I can provide you with a superbill to submit for potential reimbursement. If you’re unsure about your benefits, I can help you figure out what questions to ask your insurance provider.
