WELCOME TO DAY ONE!
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Start watching session videos below. Feel free to watch them in any order you prefer. Each session comes with a description, speaker bio, and links & resources.*
I do want to provide a general CW/TW for all sessions. Since this is a summit focused on recovery from abuse and trauma, assume that we will talk about trauma and abuse regularly. Some speakers may go into detail about their spiritual, emotional, or sexual abuse. Others may talk about suicidal ideation or attempts. If you need to take space for yourself, please do so.
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LIVE Bonus Session
Spiritual Abuse and the Prayer Movement: Unpacking the Culture at IHOP KC
with Jo (@_bytheirfruit)
Spiritual Abuse, Coercive Control, Exploitation, Accountability. To heal sometimes involves understanding how we were broken or the ways we were exploited by others or systems. Learning what we need and what to avoid can help us move forward in healing. Join us as we look at the current events surrounding IHOP KC and the systems in place from a former member.
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Attending a virtual summit doesn't mean we can't create opportunities to meet other people and cultivate community.
Join us each night of the Summit to meet and find others across the world who share your experiences, are looking for help and resources, and desiring a safe place to be seen and heard. We'll have some of our guest speakers joining us each call to meet and hear from you, and to answer your questions.
You're welcome to join us as many calls as you'd like. Just click the button below to join the call at 8:30p EST.
Join the call here at 8:30p ESTDr. Chuck DeGroat: When Narcissism Comes to Church
In this session, Chuck shares his professional journey and how he became interested in issues of abuse and trauma. He explains that narcissism is born out of trauma and shame, and that understanding the different faces of narcissism can help in identifying signs in pastors and churches. He emphasizes the importance of finding a safe person to share one's story with and discusses the pathway to healing and the pursuit of justice.
Chuck discusses the transformational journey of healing from narcissistic abuse, emphasizing that healing takes time and cannot be rushed. He also offers hope for narcissists, sharing stories of individuals who have transformed through humility and doing the necessary work. He highlights the importance of shifting from focusing on abuse to understanding and addressing trauma, and encourages listeners to take their healing seriously and pay attention to their bodies.
Bio
Chuck DeGroat is a follower of Jesus, a husband to Sara for 29 years, and father to two amazing daughters. He serves as Professor of Counseling and Christian Spirituality and Executive Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. He’s also a faculty member for the Soul Care Institute.
A licensed therapist, a spiritual director, author of five books (including When Narcissism Comes to Church), and retreat leader/speaker, Chuck has specialized in issues of abuse and trauma, pastoral (and leadership) health, and navigating issues of doubt and dark nights on the faith journey. He’s also a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Reformed Church in America, and has pastored in Orlando and San Francisco before transitioning to training and forming pastors.
Chuck also trains clergy in issues of abuse and trauma, conducts pastor and planter assessments, and facilitates church consultations and investigations of abuse among pastors and within congregations.
Links & Resources
Website | Instagram | Newsletter
When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat
Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft
Transforming Spirituality: Integrating Theology and Psychology by F. LeRon Schultz and Steven Sandage
video series: Seen, Known, Loved
Geoff & Cyd Holsclaw: Quieting an Anxious and Avoidant Faith
In this session, Brian, Geoff, and Cyd discuss the concept of embodied faith and the importance of integrating our bodies, emotions, and relationships in our spiritual lives. They explore the different attachment styles, including anxious, avoidant, and disorganized through the metaphor of landscapes and how they impact our relationships and faith.
Exploring the intersection of embodied faith, interpersonal neurobiology, attachment theory, and spiritual formation, Geoff and Cyd also discuss the importance of taking our bodies, emotions, and relationships seriously in the context of church life. They emphasize the integration of scientific research and spiritual practices to foster neuroplasticity and journey towards secure attachment. The goal is to create a church where people can openly share their attachment styles without shame and work towards healing and wholeness together.
Bio
Geoff (PhD) is an author of multiple books, affiliate professor of theology at Northern Seminary, and co-host of the Embodied Faith podcast, which offers a neuroscience-informed spiritual formation. With Cyd Holsclaw, Geoff is the co-author of Does God Really Like Me? Discovering the God Who Wants to Be With You and the forthcoming on Deeply Attached to God.
Cyd is an author, spiritual director, and pastor. She is also a trauma-informed, Jesus-centered, integrative coach (PCC) focused on embodied practices and building a secure attachment to God. Cyd co-hosts the Embodied Faith podcast, offering a neuroscience-informed spiritual formation. She is also the co-author of Does God Really Like Me? Discovering the God Who Wants to Be With You.
Resources
Embodied Faith website | Geoff website | Cyd website | Geoff Twitter/X | Geoff Facebook | Instagram | links
Embodied Faith podcast
Heather Gargis, LPC, SEP, NATG: Reclaiming My Body's Power
In this session, Heather and Brian discuss the importance of understanding the body's role in trauma healing. She explains how trauma affects the body and how somatic trauma therapy focuses on the mind-body connection.
Heather also addresses the impact of spiritual abuse and religious trauma on the body and offers practical steps for responding to trauma and reclaiming agency and empowerment, as well as the importance of completing the stress response cycle.
note: In the session, Heather mentions being an NATP (NeuroAffective Touch Practitioner). She is a NeuroAffective Touch Graduate and Practitioner in Training.
Bio
Heather Gargis, LPC, SEP, NATP (in training), grew up in Alabama and is a survivor of extensive childhood trauma. As a kid, she often dreamed of being a detective solving heinous crimes. Today, Heather has a thriving therapy practice in St. Louis, MO.
Through a holistic therapeutic approach, she helps clients who have endured complex trauma by focusing on fostering a compassionate relationship between the mind and body. A seasoned somatic trauma therapist, Heather’s diverse skill set allows her to offer a range of services in trauma healing, making a real impact on her client’s well-being.
Beyond one-on-one therapy, Heather loves teaching at different trainings and workshops, consulting with other practitioners, and guest lecturing at the local universities where she equips mental health professionals with holistic and practical applications for trauma recovery and embodiment.
Outside of the office, Heather enjoys reading fantasy fiction (the more witches, the better!), playing tennis and pickleball, as well as trying new restaurants.
Resources
Call of the Wild by Kimberly Ann Johnson
Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagosky
Nikki G: Religious Trauma and the Black Community
In this session, Nikki G shares her personal journey of religious trauma and cult involvement, highlighting the unique challenges faced by the Black community. She defines cults and discusses the changes in the Black church over time. Nikki emphasizes the need for education and awareness in trauma recovery and offers trauma-informed coaching to support survivors and encourages individuals to recognize their experiences and take practical steps towards healing.
Together, Brian and Nikki also discuss the steps survivors of spiritual abuse and religious trauma can take towards healing and recovery, emphasizing the importance of awareness and acceptance as the first step, followed by empowering the survivor to make their own choices in the recovery process, seeking professional help, being kind and compassionate to oneself, and finding support and resources.
Bio
Nikki G. is a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach who helps survivors recover and thrive after Religious Trauma & Cult involvement. She is also a survivor of multiple narcissistic relationships, religious trauma as well as a former member of multiple cultic communities.
Nikki is the CEO of Nikki G Speaks LLC, which exists to support survivors with individual coaching services, an online community, and other various forms of psychoeducation related to religious trauma, narcissistic abuse, and cult involvement. She educates and empowers survivors to reclaim their lives and embrace the journey to “come back home” to self.
Nikki is a co-host of the podcast “Surviving the Black Church” where she and co-hosts delve into conversations regarding religious trauma in the Black Church. She and another colleague have just recently founded The Black Religious Trauma Recovery Network, which is a resource to educate, support and empower black religious trauma survivors.
Nikki also sits on the board of directors for a non-profit organization called Tears of Eden (which supports survivors who have experienced abuse in the evangelical community). Nikki is a member of the IAOTRC (International Association of Trauma Recovery Coaching) where she co-facilitated a Religious Trauma Cohort Group for coaches. She is also a member of the ICSA (International Cultic Studies) where she keeps abreast of the latest information regarding spiritual abuse, cults, and how trauma and abuse affects survivors.
Resources
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter/X
Membership Program site
Surviving the Black Church podcast
Link to Black Religious Trauma Survivor meetups (every 2nd and 4th Tuesday)
Freedom of Mind by Dr. Steven Hassan
Dr. Laura Anderson, LMFT: When Religion Hurts You
In this session, Brian and Laura discuss the topic of religious trauma and its impact on individuals. She introduces her book, When Religion Hurts You, which explores the healing process from religious trauma and adverse religious experiences. Dr. Anderson emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between abuse and trauma and provides insights into the life cycle of spiritual abuse and introduces the concept of adverse religious experiences (AREs). She highlights the significance of embodiment in the healing journey and discusses the challenges of navigating triggers and activators in the context of religious trauma.
Anderson also discusses trauma resolution and recovery, with a specific focus on religious trauma, explaining the importance of developing resources to calm down and feel safe in moments of anxiety or distress. She emphasizes that the goal of healing is not just reaching an endpoint, but also living and thriving in the midst of the healing process.
Bio
Dr. Laura Anderson (PhD, Saybrook University; LMFT) is a therapist, trauma resolution and recovery coach, writer, educator, and creator who specializes in complex trauma with a focus on domestic violence, sexualized violence and religious trauma. Laura has a private practice in Nashville, TN and is the founder and director of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery, an online coaching company where she and the other practitioners work with clients who have experienced high demand/high control religions, adverse religious experiences, cults, and religious trauma.
In 2019, Laura co-founded the Religious Trauma Institute with the goal of providing trauma-informed resources, consultation, and training to clinicians and other helping professionals who work with religious trauma survivors. Laura’s first book, When Religion Hurts You: Healing From Religious Trauma and the Impact of High Control Religion, was released by Brazos press in October 2023. She lives with her dog, Phoebe, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Resources
Website | Instagram | Trauma Resolution and Recovery | Religious Trauma Institute
Steve Cuss: Managing Anxiety and Being a Good and Godly Leader
In this session, Steve Cuss emphasizes the importance of noticing anxiety and being aware of one's body and loved ones' observations. Cuss introduces the concept of the four spaces: the space within oneself, the space between oneself and others, the space within others, and the space between groups.
Together, Brian and Steve explore the idea that chronic anxiety is based on false beliefs and vows made in childhood, and offer encouragement for leaders to deepen their capacity for pain and involve healers within their communities.
Bio
Steve is the author of Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs and the founder of capablelife.me, an online community helping you to function as a calm, aware, present human in the work place and home place. Steve has served in a variety of pastoral roles for 26 years, the majority of those years as a lead pastor at Discovery Christian Church in CO. He transitioned leadership and now works part time for the church and full-time in speaking and consulting. He is also proud to be a strategic partner with Compassion International, Leadership Network, and Missio Alliance.
He was privileged to grow up in Perth, Western Australia, in an adventurous family of origin. After moving to the United States for theological study, he married Lisa and they have two sons and a daughter, in whom they take great delight. When Steve is not working, you can find him laughing with his family, knee-deep in a trout stream, or trying a guitar he cannot afford at a local music store.
Resources
Website | Instagram | Twitter/X | capablelife.me
Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss
The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God by Steve Cuss
The Four Spaces video resource
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