find an
inclusive church

RESOURCES

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THERAPISTS

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FAQ

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RESOURCES ⛛ THERAPISTS ⛛ FAQ ⛛

Tools to Try

Trauma can leave us unsure what way is up—this is why it’s helpful to have tools and some safe, highly trained professionals in our corner.

Here are some therapists that I have used myself or come highly recommended:

Reclamation Collective

www.reclamationcollective.com

Reclamation Collective is committed to holding space for folks navigating Religious Trauma and Adverse Religious Experiences. They hope to support you as you reclaim or claim for the very first time, your identity, pleasure, and autonomy.

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective

openpathcollective.org

Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a nonprofit nationwide network of mental health professionals dedicated to providing in-office and online mental health care—at a steeply reduced rate—to clients in need.

MN Couple Therapy Center

mncoupletherapy.com

A great resource for individuals and couples to meet in person locally or online. 

Amanda Weaver 

amanda@superiorcounseling.org 

218.461.8219

Amanda has her master’s in clinical counseling and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Superior. She is passionate about supporting individuals with spiritual trauma, and anxiety, teaching coping skills for life transitions, navigating challenging relationships, and all other forms of trauma. She cultivates a non-judgmental, shame-free environment, and wants every person to feel accepted in her space.

She has an integrative approach that includes Internal Family Systems (IFS), Accelerated Retina Therapy (ART), and existentialism, as well as teaching practical skills like CBT and DBT.  As a former evangelical, she can relate to victims of spiritual abuse and is motivated to help others on their healing journey.   She enjoys tailoring her treatment to each individual and basing techniques on their needs.

more

resources

So, You’re Deconstructing…

Deconstructing your faith? Here’s a great resource that has videos, articles, podcasts and books that can add value to your journey. 
soyouredeconstructing.com

Everything is Spiritual

Rob Bell 
Memoir of former prominent Evangelical Mega Church Pastor.

If God Still Breathes, Why Can’t I?

Angela N. Parker
A challenge to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy that calls into question how Christians are taught more about the way of Whiteness than the way of Jesus.

The Cross and the Lynching Tree

James Cone 
Two symbols that are closely related and have shaped the lived experiences of generations of people. Must read for those interested in liberation theology. 

Queer Virtue

Elizabeth Edman
As an openly lesbian Episcopal priest and professional advocate for LGBTQ justice, the Reverend Elizabeth Edman has spent her career grappling with the core tenets of her faith. After deep reflection on her tradition, Edman is struck by the realization that her queer identity has taught her more about how to be a good Christian than the church.


God Can’t

Thomas Jay Oord
Processes the historical problem of evil. “How can there be a God who is all loving, all knowing and all powerful and people still die of hunger?” Questions like this are centered in Dr. Oords work.

FAQs

  • If you’d like to see shit my pastor said in your part of the world, contact us to chat more!

  • Here’s a great resource with videos, articles, podcasts, and books that can add value to your journey.

    So, You’re Deconstructing…

  • We have several people of faith who are willing to connect with you and hear more of your story. We have humanists, progressive Christians, pagans, ex-evangelicals, clergy, and other spiritual thinkers and influencers. Contact us!

inclusive Churches

A list of churches at an event on spiritual trauma? Ya, we get the irony. Yet one of the questions we get all the time is, “I am unsure of what I hold to be true anymore but I still wouldn’t mind a place to work that out.”

The churches below have clear policies on including all people at all levels of the church and are recommended by clergy that we have worked with.

KEY

ELCA : Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
UU : Unitarian Universalists
UCC : United Church of Christ

Don’t see your church listed and think it should be—contact us!

Why isn’t my church on this list? Great question.

We’ve chosen to center spiritual communities that fully welcome, affirm, and include all people, including the LGBTQIA+ community and friends.

Many spiritual communities intentionally and strategically do not post their policies regarding Queer inclusion/exclusion, even though they have long-standing policies that include certain gender and identities and exclude others.

What can you do? Go to that church’s website and see if they post their policy, if they do not contact the leadership and ask these two questions:

  1. Would you or anyone in leadership officiate a wedding of a same-sex couple?

  2. Could a Queer person be ordained or a senior leader in this community?

You might get a ‘That’s a 3 cup of coffee answer to that kind of question!’ or ‘You know what, we have all sorts of people from many different backgrounds who find love and acceptance in this church!’ If you don’t want to have a 3 cup of coffee conversation, but would like to know the answer, simply ask for a yes or no response. 

“Really? Why is this such a big deal, churches are just trying to do the best they can?!”
Yes…and they can do better to alleviate trauma and pain. By making their policies public, clear, and easily accessible on their websites, it can give crucial clarity to marginalized people before they walk in the door. We believe clarity is kindness.

If you’d like to learn more or process how policies can hurt people—we’d love to connect. 

If you’re wondering how your spiritual community could reduce harm and move to be a safe place for all people—contact Sauter for more information.