Jessica Fichtner

Topic

Voices of Healing from Gendered Religious Trauma: A Listening Guide Thesis

Counselling Psychology

Date & location

• Monday, November 9, 2026
• 9:00 A.M.
• Virtual Defence

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Fred Chou, Counselling Psychology, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Dr. Hillary McBride, Lead Clinical Supervisor, Repose Therapy (Outside Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Janelle Kwee, Clinical Psychology, Adler University

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Enda Tan, Department of Psychology, UVic

Abstract

Religious trauma (RT) is emerging as a pervasive and distinct psychological issue, negatively affecting the mental, physical, relational and spiritual health of survivors across religions. Although traumatic stressors can occur in any environment, emergent literature suggests that a religious context may be more deeply effectual due to religion’s primacy in the social and existential constructs of many adherents, as well as the implicit trust afforded to religious institutions and authority figures. Despite a recent swell of academic interest, the literature is scant with limited research examining survivors’ experiences of recovery, leaving clinicians without RT-specific, evidence-based practices for the support of RT survivors. The aim for this study is to addresses the recovery gap and add generally to the literature by exploring lived experiences of recovery from RT sustained by women in Christian contexts, taking an intersectional feminist lens toward gendered power structures that may influence vulnerability and recovery.

Data collection and analysis adhere to the listening guide, grounded in feminist phenomenology. Eight semi-structured interviews have been completed and analyzed through sequential listenings that trace psychological logic of participants indicated by contrapuntal voices within the narrative. Voices that have emerged speak to recovery as a nonlinear process shaped by renegotiations of identity, spirituality, autonomy, and interpersonal connection, which may be helped or hindered by counselling practitioners based on familiarity with religion and RT specifically. This study contributes foundational knowledge that can improve outcomes for survivors and guide future research, clinical practice, and social change efforts.