Caring for Those Affected by Spiritual Abuse - Premium Webinar Series
Spiritual Abuse - Identifying, Preventing, and Caring
AUGUST 5TH AND 12TH, 7:30PM-9:00PM (AEST)
“I was taught that God will "get you" if you made your authority figures upset. If your had misfortune after you make them mad that's God "getting you"."
“I used to sing for the worship band. I explicitly remember the worship pastor telling us that we should continue to sing the same song if we see people sobbing.”
“My church REALLY pushed purity culture, and I was terrified of revealing how 'damaged' I was. I resigned myself to having a life without marriage and a family because I was impure."
"We had just had a 2nd child, and I was one of 3 people that ran Front-of-House sound, and I asked to step down. I was berated and asked to question my faith because Jesus obviously had a job for me at [Church Name], and I couldn’t just step away."
“I was told that not reading scripture and attending church regularly always made God sad. If I drew demons, dragons, and other mythical creatures, it made God mad. “
"My grandma would drive us home. If we were being sinful she would play the Christian radio station at full volume.”
"He told me my depression and pain, which I later understood were a direct result of his abuse, were because I was possessed by a demon."
“It makes you think that everything bad that happens to you is your fault and that those bad things wouldn’t have happened if you had been more devout”
Spiritual abuse isn’t your typical bogeyman.
There are no obvious signs and you’ll rarely find cuts or bruises. Many don’t even realise they’re being abused. Or that they’re the one abusing.
But the lasting spiritual or religious trauma caused by this kind of abuse can’t be ignored. Every day millions of people live with the pain caused by spiritual abuse from their partners, pastors, fellow parishioners and others. And like other types of abuse it’s often passed down generation to generation, meaning many adopt abusive practices without even realising.
Only by understanding it and identifying it early can we stop this cycle.
Centre for Theology and Psychology presents a two part webinar series on Spiritual Abuse, designed to help people like yourself identify, understand, and care for those affected by spiritual abuse.
Across two 90 minute sessions you’ll learn how to identify the characteristics of spiritual abuse, understand how to empathise with and care for those suffering from their experiences, and how those with influence may misuse positions of power.
By the end, you’ll walk away with a thorough understanding of the topic and the tools you need to create safer Christian environments.
Presenting these sessions are Dr Kathryn Kinmond, Senior Lecturer at Manchester University, and Professor Lisa Oakley, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Chester. Their decades of research and experience working with spiritual abuse survivors make this a uniquely important resource for professionals and leaders alike.
Part 1: Identifying and Understanding Spiritual Abuse
Part 1 focuses on how to identify spiritual abuse in your community and your own life, and how to support those that have been affected by spiritual abuse.
You’ll learn:
- The most common characteristics of spiritual abuse (or religious trauma)
- The reasons spiritual abuse can be hard to identify
- The immediate and long term effects of spiritual abuse
- How relationships with God, self and others can be affected long term in the Christian faith context
- Knowledge you can use to respond well to those who have experienced spiritual abuse
Part 2: Recognising and Preventing Abuse of Power
The second webinar will focus on recognising spiritual abuse in people, such as leaders, friends, and yourself, and what can be done to make churches, Christian gatherings and institutions safer.
You’ll discover:
- How power operates in organisations such as churches and workplaces
- How regular people abuse relational or positional power to influence others.
- The characteristics of a healthy, safe culture and,
- How you can develop this kind of culture in your own community/organisation.
Presented By
Prof. Lisa Oakley
Lisa is Professor of Safeguarding and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Chester (UK), where she co-leads the MSc in Family and Child Psychology.
A chartered psychologist and chair of the British Psychological Society Safeguarding Advisory Group, Lisa has over 30 years’ experience in higher education.
She has spent two decades researching faith, abuse, safeguarding, and spiritual abuse, publishing widely and presenting internationally.
Her recent work includes a cross-faith research project on disclosing religious abuse.
Dr. Kathryn Kinmond
Kathryn is a Chartered Psychologist and Accredited Psychotherapist. She has taught in higher education for over thirty years being Faculty Chair of Research Ethics and Faculty Chair of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
She is currently an Associate Lecturer at the University of Chester in the UK supervising doctoral level students and also, at Birmingham City University in the UK. Kathryn has been vice chair of a UK NHS Research Ethics committee for over ten years.
She has conducted research into faith based abuse for over fifteen years, presenting work nationally and co-authoring a book with Lisa and also a number of articles.
Event Details
- Webinar Part 1: Tuesday, 5 August
- Webinar Part 2: Tuesday, 12 August
- Time: 7:30pm to 9:00pm
- Price: $90
Sorry to disappoint but this webinar has now concluded.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be recordings made available?
Yes, recordings will be made available afterwards for ticket holders for viewing for a limited time. Recordings will not be available for purchase.
Why are these more expensive than other CTP webinars?
The information in these webinars is the product of decades of research and professional experience, and is designed to be applied in both professional and casual settings. Kathryn and Lisa’s work is used by counsellors and psychologists globally, as well as in academic, consultative, organisational and therapeutic settings for establishing safety and for assisting those affected by spiritual abuse.
The difference in price compared to other CTP webinars is also to help compensate both Lisa and Kathryn for their generous gifts of time.
Will professional development certificates be provided on completion?
Yes you will be able to get a professional development certificate on request.