Description

Presentation 1: As a PMH-C (perinatal mental health certified) therapist working in an area in which many individuals seek therapy for both a perinatal mental health disorder (PMHD) and religion/faith related reasons, I began to notice similarities in my clinical work between those experiencing a PMHD and those experiencing a faith crisis/transition. In addition to my clinical practice, in 2022 I completed independent, qualitative research using an online form to survey individuals who experienced faith crisis, a PMHD, or both faith crisis and a PMHD. The presentation includes my findings on how these issues are similar, different, and how clinicians can best understand this population and best serve them. I will also discuss how media plays a role in both our perception of ideal motherhood and perception of faith crisis/faithfulness, which impacts the mental health of mothers and those experiencing faith crisis.

Presentation 2:

What is it like to leave a high-cost religion? How can counselors help people cope? Leaving a high-cost religion is a dramatically life-altering process that impacts a person’s worldview, identity, marriage and family relationships, community, and meaning. For most, deconversion was not experienced as a choice. Existential therapy has potential to help deconverts rebuild their worldview and identities, cope with uncertainty, rebuild community, and find new meaning. This presentation will explore the four “ultimate concerns” of existential therapy, how they relate to the deconvert experience, and how sitting with death, isolation, and meaninglessness can actually be therapeutic.

Speakers
Laura Parry, LCSW, PMH-C
Sara Rands ACMHC