Religious Trauma, Sex Addiction, & IFS with Forest Benedict

Going Inside: Healing Trauma from the Inside Out

In this episode of Going Inside, psychotherapist and author Forest Benedict shares his journey from Christian-based sex addiction therapy to healing religious trauma and embracing Internal Family Systems (IFS). Together, we explore the impact of religious trauma, the role of shame in addiction and identity, and the power of IFS in fostering authenticity and freedom. Forest reflects on his personal deconstruction, his professional pivot, and his mission to help others reconnect with their true selves in the face of societal and religious pressures.

Key Takeaways:

1. Religious trauma often involves suppressing one's identity and agency under the constant threat of judgment, creating long-term emotional and psychological challenges.
2. Shame is a central force in both religious trauma and addiction, fueling self-critical behaviors that perpetuate cycles of pain and disconnection from the self.
3. Internal Family Systems (IFS) fosters self-compassion, helping individuals reconnect with their authentic selves, heal internal conflicts, and reclaim agency.

Learn more about Forest at: https://forestbenedict.com/

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