Dr. Anna Quistad (called Dr. Q around these parts), joins Optimum Joy founder Alexandra Hoerr to discuss the complexities of religious abuse and spiritual manipulation in church contexts.

Dr. Quistad focused her doctoral dissertation on the complex trauma which results from these power dynamics, highlighting how abuse in this context impacts the way a survivor views the world and God, their attachment to self and others (including God), and how trauma impacts their physical health and bodies.

Dr. Quistad now treats a variety of mental health concerns, one of which includes righting oppressive power dynamics and trauma recovery.

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