Rebuilding Faith After Sexual Abuse: A Millennial's Journey

Faith, Healing, and Rebuilding After Sexual Abuse: What It Means for Millennials

Let’s talk about something that often gets swept under the rug—how sexual abuse impacts your faith. For millennials, especially those raised in religious environments, experiencing trauma can shake your core beliefs. It can make you question everything, including the trust you once had in your faith, your community, or even God. So, how do you even begin to rebuild faith after trauma?

1. Faith Isn’t a Quick Fix
   Healing doesn’t happen just because someone tells you to "pray it away." Faith can be a powerful tool for recovery, but it’s not about denying your pain or pretending everything is okay. You have to allow yourself to feel and grieve.

2. Redefining Your Relationship with Faith
   Faith after trauma can look different, and that’s okay. It’s about rebuilding trust—whether in yourself, your spirituality, or God. This new relationship with your faith can be more authentic and healing than what you had before.

3. Your Trauma Isn’t a Punishment
   Let’s get one thing straight: sexual abuse is never your fault, and it’s not some kind of divine punishment. Healing means rejecting any narrative that tells you otherwise. Real faith lifts you up; it doesn’t tear you down.

4. Find Support in the Right Places
   Be mindful of who you seek guidance from. Not all faith communities will understand trauma, and some might make you feel more isolated. Surround yourself with people who support your healing journey and respect your boundaries—whether that’s in a church, a group, or even a new faith-based community.

5. Faith and Therapy Work Together
   Yes, you can believe in God and still go to therapy! In fact, combining both can help you find balance. Therapy can help you process trauma while your faith can give you hope and strength during difficult times. The two are not mutually exclusive.

6. Redefine What Healing Looks Like for You
   Healing after sexual abuse, especially when it comes to faith, doesn’t look the same for everyone. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and remember—it’s okay if your spiritual journey looks different now.

   If you're navigating boundaries after trauma or rebuilding your faith after sexual abuse, I offer trauma therapy and trauma-informed parenting coaching, both online and in-person.

   🌍 In-person sessions available in South Jersey, North Wilmington, and Philadelphia.
   💻 Online sessions available for Georgia residents.

   Let's work together to help you heal and grow. Click here to book a consultation today.