‘They leave the Church, but they cannot leave the Church alone’: The Psychology of Apostasy The word ‘apostate’ simply means ‘one who stands apart,’ but from the standpoint of emotional well-being, ‘standing apart’ is seldom a healthy, happy place to be. Does current psychological theory offer any insight into the growing phenomenon of apostate Mormons who continue to obsess over LDS history and dogma, often with intense emotions of anger and loss? How might a skilled counselor knowledgeable about Mormonism and psychotherapy design a process to relieve the suffering of former or questioning Mormons so they can enjoy happier, more productive lives? Proceeding from the work on human individuation by social psychologist Erich Fromm, this presentation details the development of a series of compelling, cutting-edge theories regarding the inner world of the religious apostate. It concludes with an overview of the most effective therapeutic pathways for healing internal and interpersonal religious conflict.

Rulon Eames