Sacred Shift Summit: Healing from Religious and Spiritual Trauma

Event Overview

Our virtual event, Sacred Shift Summit: Healing from Religious & Spiritual Trauma, provides a healing space for those impacted by religious or spiritual trauma, including members of religious groups and spiritual communities where abuse of power has taken place, LGBTQI+ individuals, and more. The summit aims to help participants evolve their belief systems, validate personal experiences, and offer resources and community support to facilitate healing and personal growth. Join us to lay old, unhelpful beliefs to rest and embrace a new path of self-discovery and empowerment.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to illustrate the power imbalances, indoctrination, and false interpretations that contribute to spiritual and religious abuse. By highlighting these dynamics, we aim to empower individuals to discern and redefine their spiritual beliefs in a safe, supportive environment. 

We welcome individuals at any stage of their healing journey to join us as everyone will find value in our summit. Our purpose is to create a community space grounded in compassion, mutual respect, and understanding where we can openly discuss our experiences and find comfort, support, and valuable insights. We want our participants to feel welcomed, and valued, and experience a sense of belonging while we share space together. 

The Experience

MindMovement founder and coach, Stacy Piccolo, will host four distinguished speakers (bios below), each sharing their unique journeys of overcoming religious and spiritual abuse. They have bravely deconstructed indoctrinated beliefs and discovered their own truths, which they now share to empower and inspire others. As each of them worked through their struggles, they embodied deep wisdom and can explain how these dynamics occur, what lies beneath them, and how we can dismantle these ideologies within ourselves and our communities. This subject matter is very nuanced and one has to dissect their whole experience to fully understand the dynamics functioning behind everything. This is the experience they offer to you.  

You will be introduced to Dr. Jamie Marich's upcoming book You Lied to Me About God: Unpacking the Shame-Filled Messages of Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma. Dr. Jamie draws on almost twenty years of clinical trauma experience working with survivors of spiritual abuse and her own lived experience of growing up with one Catholic parent and one Evangelical parent. She then survived a long-term stint working for the Catholic church in a humanitarian aid setting AND studied extensively at a yoga ashram. Through these collective experiences, Jamie shares how the definition of shame as "the lie someone told you about yourself, God, or the world" is what keeps so many of us stuck in abusive systems and our healing.

All of our affirming speakers will provide hope, encouragement, and practical healing modalities. Of course, this can be a heavy topic but we want to keep the mood light and hopeful. You can expect some comedy, movement, meditation, and art therapy while participating to your comfort level. Additionally, attendees will enjoy musical performances and have the opportunity to connect in breakout groups and a concluding Q&A session.

Event Highlights

• Distinguished Speakers: Learn from leading experts who have navigated and overcome spiritual and religious trauma.
• Breakout Sessions: Engage in discussions to share experiences and build supportive connections in our community.
• Healing Modalities: Participate in various healing practices designed to support emotional and spiritual recovery.
• Musical Performances: Enjoy uplifting performances to soothe the soul and lighten the mood.
• Book Feature: Discover insights from the soon-to-be-released book, “You Lied to Me About God” by Dr. Jamie Marich

Meet Your Speakers 

Dr. Jamie Marich, Ph.D. (she/they), is an internationally acclaimed expert in trauma recovery, EMDR therapy, addiction, dissociation, and expressive arts. With nearly two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Marich has made it a priority to support survivors of spiritual abuse and religious trauma. Raised in a unique religious background—one Catholic parent and one Evangelical parent—Dr. Marich’s personal experiences profoundly shape her professional work.  Read full bio here

Rev. Jon Scott (he/him) is more than just a spiritual leader; he’s a passionate storyteller and a warm-hearted guide on the journey of faith. Growing up in Milledgeville, GA, in a family steeped in fundamentalist preaching, Jon found his voice through music and the joy of connecting with others in church. His love for singing has always been a source of inspiration, anchoring him on his spiritual path. Read full bio here

Dr. Sally Adnams-Jones (she/her) is a therapist, author, and artist dedicated to exploring human transformation and empowerment. Born in Zambia, and having lived in South Africa, Britain and Canada, Dr. Adnams-Jones’s journey has taken her across the globe, studying various disciplines including arts, science, education, psychology, neurology, evolutionary spirituality, creativity, and feminism. She has particular expertise in describing the systems and power dynamics at play in both religious and spiritual trauma, as she has encountered it in many forms throughout her life. Read full bio here

Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber (she/her) is an eight-time award-winning author, international best-selling artist, professor, retreat leader, and the founder of Tehom Center Publishing. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion and nearly two decades of experience as a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Dr. Yarber’s career is a testament to her passion for elevating marginalized voices through art and spirituality. Ordained as a queer clergywoman, Dr. Yarber shares her wisdom on the challenges and trials of living within a religious system filled with microaggressions despite her vast knowledge and advanced education. Read full bio here

Value for Participants

Attendees will: 

• Leave the summit feeling acknowledged and validated in their experiences. 
• Have new insights into the inner workings and dynamics at play.
• Gain access to healing modalities and resources.
• Realize that this type of trauma is common (unfortunately) and they are not alone on this journey.
• Join a supportive community to continue on their path of personal exploration and spiritual redefinition. 

The event aims to transform feelings of spiritual injury into a renewed sense of empowerment and community.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, October 26th, 2024
• Time: 10 am - 5 pm EST
• Location: Immersive virtual event

Registration and Additional Information

We want our event to be accessible to everyone who would benefit, which is why we offer 3 different ticket options. If you find yourself wanting to attend but aren't able to afford a ticket at this time, we understand. Please email us at hello@mindmovementcommunity.com for other options.

Can't make it to the live event? Don't worry, you will receive a recording afterward to watch at your own pace.

If you are interested in sponsoring our summit, we are still accepting sponsors. Please email hello@mindmovementcommunity.com and we will send you the info.