What are adverse religious experiences? 

These are any spiritual/religious experiences that resulted in feeling shamed, outcasted, controlled, or deprived of community and/or privileges. 

Examples May Include: 

•  A strict religious household 
• Alienation from community relationships 
• Sexual orientation and gender-based discrimination 
• Control over romantic and sexual relationships 
• Restriction from seeking positions of authority 
• Discouragement from seeking medical/mental health services 
• Sexual grooming by spiritual leaders 
• Indoctrination into a cult 

Who qualifies? 

• Adults 18+ 
• Persons of any religion/spiritual belief 
• Persons with no religious/spiritual beliefs 
• Persons uncertain of religious/spiritual beliefs 
• Persons committed to attending the group 

Schedule? 

• June 6th: Introductions and Group Rules
• June 13th: Power and control in religious institutions
• June 20th: Marginalization and discrimination
• June 27th: What is thought reform?
• July 4th: *Holiday Break*
• July 11th: The impact on interpersonal relationships
• July 18th: Create personal boundaries and recognize red flags
• July 25th: Take what works & leave the rest
• August 1st: Closure and goodbyes

Disclaimer

• Gainesville Community Counseling Center, the staff, and facilitators of this group are not representative of any specific religious/spiritual doctrine.
• This group is not intended to encourage or discourage religious/spiritual practices or beliefs.
• There are no group activities derived from specific religious/spiritual rituals.
• Soliciting group members to join or leave a religious/spiritual affiliation is prohibited during group operations (before/after/during meetings or in the facilities where the group is taking place)
• Registration will be followed up by a screening in order to make sure this group is appropriate for you