Category: Religious trauma

• Big News: Licensed in WA, Certified in IFS, and Launching My Sex Coaching Practice

  

  Licensed in WA, certified in IFS, and now launching a bold new sex coaching practice to help people release shame and embrace desire as a compass.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  July 24, 2025

  IFS, Religious trauma, Self-Connection, Sexual shame, sexuality

  IFS, Religious trauma, self-connection, sex coaching, Sexual shame

• From External Authority to Self-Trust: Healing Religious Trauma and Reclaiming Your Inner Compass with IFS

  

  Healing religious trauma means learning to trust yourself again. Discover how IFS helps you reclaim your inner compass and live in alignment with your truth.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  June 25, 2025

  Change, Codependency, CPTSD, IFS, Inspiration, LGBTQIA+, Religious trauma, self-compassion, Self-Connection, Sexual shame, sexuality, trauma

  authenticity, authoritarian, CPTSD, healing, IFS, inner compass, interview, mental health, podcast, Religious trauma, self-compassion, self-connection, trauma

• 🎙️ New Podcast Interview: Porn is Not the Problem on the Divorcing Religion Podcast

  

  Discover Forest Benedict’s powerful new interview on the Divorcing Religion podcast: “Porn is Not the Problem.” Explore porn addiction myths, ethical porn, Internal Family Systems, and healing from religious trauma and sexual shame in this honest, hopeful conversation.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  June 23, 2025

  Addiction, Anti-Pornography Movement, Faith, IFS, Inspiration, LGBTQIA+, life after lust, pornography, Recovery, Religious trauma, self-compassion, Self-Connection, Sexual Addiction, Sexual shame, sexuality, Shame

  Authenticity And Freedom, deconstruction, Divorcing Religion, Ethical Porn, healing journey, IFS, Internal Family Systems, mental health, Podcast Interview, recovery, Religious trauma, self-compassion, self-connection, Sex Addiction Recovery, Sex Positive Therapy, Sexual Empowerment, Sexual Healing, Sexual shame, Shame Free Sexuality, Therapist Interview

• Sex with ChatGPT (Part 2): Erotic AI Prompts for Sexual Healing, Fantasy Exploration & Self-Discovery

  

  Discover 10 erotic AI prompts to explore desire, heal sexual shame, and reclaim your power through safe, shame-free fantasy and self-expression.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  June 18, 2025

  Religious trauma, Self-Connection, Sexual shame, sexuality, Shame

  AI, ChatGPT, fantasy, prompts, purity culture, self-connection, sex with chatgpt, sexual exploration, Sexual shame, sexuality

• The F-Word Was Father’s Day: A Poem of Reclamation

  

  A healing poem about reclaiming Father’s Day from trauma through self-love, fatherhood, and inner reparenting. A tribute to self-fathering and growth.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  June 14, 2025

  Addiction, Attachment, Change, children, Codependency, Connection, CPTSD, Fun, Grief, IFS, Inspiration, Parenting, Poetry, Recovery, Religious trauma, self-compassion, Self-Connection, Sexual Addiction, Shame, trauma, writing

  breaking generational cycles, compassionate self-love, emotional healing, father wound, father’s day, fatherhood journey, forest benedict, grief and growth, healing, healing from childhood trauma, healing poem, IFS, IFS therapy, inner child healing, Internal Family Systems, LMFT blog, men’s healing, mental health, parenting and trauma, poetry for healing, recovery, Religious trauma, reparenting, self-compassion, self-connection, self-fathering, trauma, trauma recovery

• The Shame of Being Seen: Reclaiming Our Deepest Human Desire

  

  Explore the hidden shame of wanting attention through Jungian psychology and Internal Family Systems (IFS). Learn how reclaiming your desire to be seen can lead to deeper self-love, authenticity, and healing.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  May 10, 2025

  Codependency, CPTSD, IFS, Inspiration, LGBTQIA+, Neurodivergence, Religious trauma, Self-Connection, Sexual shame, sexuality, Shame, trauma

  attention seeking shame, authenticity, be seen, desire to be seen, IFS, IFS therapy, inner child healing, Internal Family Systems, Jungian psychology, mental health, no shame, Religious trauma, self-compassion, self-connection, self-expression, shadow work, shame, shame and trauma healing, visibility and vulnerability

• Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture Online Conference

  

  Join the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture Online Conference (May 24–25) for a transformative weekend of healing, connection, and empowerment. Explore how purity culture harms sexuality and discover the liberating power of sexual self-discovery, community, and shame-free living.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  May 8, 2025

  Connection, Inspiration, LGBTQIA+, Religious trauma, Self-Connection, Sexual shame, sexuality, Shame, Therapists

  conference, erotic, exvangelical, freedom, mental health, purity culture, Religious trauma, sex, Sexual shame, sexuality

• Now Offering Professional Consultation for Therapists & Helping Professionals

  If you’re a therapist, coach, or mental health professional looking for support, clarity, or direction, I’m excited to share something new with you. After years of walking through the personal and professional terrain of healing, learning, and unlearning, I’ve officially opened up professional consultation offerings—and my brand-new Professional Consultation page is now live. Whether you’re navigating complex cases, burnout,…

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  April 21, 2025

  Addiction, IFS, Inspiration, partners, Recovery, Religious trauma, Self-Connection, Sexual Addiction, Sexual shame, Shame

  burnout, consultation, healing, IFS, mental health, Religious trauma, self-compassion, self-connection, sex addiction, Sexual shame, Therapist

• I Have Risen: A Poem of Self-Resurrection

  

  This soul-stirring poem reclaims religious imagery to tell a bold story of self-resurrection, power, and personal liberation. I Have Risen is not a religious piece—it’s a declaration of freedom, authenticity, and the end of self-abandonment. A must-read for anyone rising into their truth.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  April 20, 2025

  Change, Codependency, Faith, Inspiration, Neurodivergence, Poetry, Religious trauma, Self-Connection, Shame

  healing, IFS, religion, Religious trauma, resurrection, save yourself, self-connection, Sexual shame, trauma

• Afraid to Set Boundaries? Why People-Pleasing Is Costing You More Than You Think

  

  Afraid to set boundaries? Discover how people-pleasing and self-silencing are trauma responses—and how healing through IFS therapy can help you reclaim your voice, set healthy limits, and live more authentically.

  Forest Benedict, LMFT

  April 18, 2025

  Anxiety, Change, Codependency, Connection, IFS, partners, Recovery, Religious trauma, self-compassion, Self-Connection, Shame, trauma

  codependency, fawning, healing, IFS, mental health, people-pleasing, recovery, Religious trauma, self-compassion, self-connection, trauma