I grew up in a fundamentalist religious home in Canada, where I learned that the Bible was literal, inerrant, and the highest authority on all matters. Obedience and purity were prized above all, and I believed my only real contribution of significance was to bear children.

After marrying a man destined for the pastorate, we started a family and I became even more entrenched in fundamentalism. Fear led me to try and shield my children from perceived dangers of the secular world by homeschooling and keeping out all secular influences. In addition to eschewing TV and secular books, magazines, and music, I also went so far as to abstain from jewelry and makeup. Even pants became a thing of the past as I adopted the conservative garb of long skirts and dresses and covering my long hair. My world continued shrinking as I feared for the salvation of my children, spending hours daily praying for them and searching for additional ways to close them off from the world around them.

Eventually, a series of calamities caused me to question everything I had been taught. My world crumbled as the faith I once held so dearly disintegrated, along with my entire identity. Confusion and sorrow engulfed me, but no one else seemed to understand. Mourning the losses of both my faith and my marriage, I was suffering the effects of Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS), although I had no understanding of it. 

It wasn't until I went back to school and became a registered professional counsellor that I began piecing together my journey. Eventually, I learned about RTS and things started to make sense. Connecting with others who had walked a similar road, under the guidance of American therapist Dr. Marlene Winell, I started rebuilding my identity. I even developed the Divorcing Religion Workshop - but that was still not enough. I wanted to help as many people as possible in their efforts to recover from religion.

That is why I decided to put together an event that has never been done before: The online Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT): https://pheedloop.com/CORT/site/home/

Experts in the field of religious trauma and undue influence are joining together to address this important topic May 11-16, 2021. Survivors of religious trauma will share their stories of hope and healing as well. Because I really do want CORT to help as many people as possible, I am offering student discounts and scholarships for those under financial duress.

However, I AM CURRENTLY COVERING ALL COSTS ON MY OWN including event planning, advertising, securing speakers, website hosting and maintenance, scholarships, and more.

Recognizing the need for oversight, I registered and incorporated a not-for-profit society and have a board helping to oversee and manage the Conference on Religious Trauma. After paying related costs, all monies left over from this year's CORT will go directly toward helping with next year's event and providing more scholarships.

Please help make CORT a success by donating financially and helping to spread the word about the Conference on Religious Trauma. Together, we can help promote recovery from harmful religious practices and childhood indoctrination, providing hope for a healthy future.