Episode #2
Navigating the Sacred: Psychedelics and Religious Trauma
Dr. Chantelle Thomas explores the deeply personal and often hidden nature of religious trauma, reflecting on how her Seventh-day Adventist upbringing shaped her relationship with fear, perfectionism, safety, and spirituality. She and Andrew discuss how these early patterns persisted long after she left organized religion, resurfacing powerfully during psychedelic experiences. Chantelle shares how psychedelic-assisted therapy has both exposed the depth of these wounds and created opportunities for healing, while emphasizing the importance of safety, attunement, and careful support when working with religious trauma in non-ordinary states. (00:42) Religion, Attachment & Family — How early ideas about God shape our sense of safety. (09:30) God Is Always Watching — The psychological weight of constant vigilance. (14:30) Fear of Possession — When religious fear follows you into the night. (24:34) Leaving Religion — Moving away from the church without leaving the fear. (31:16) Putting Down the Backpack — A psychedelic encounter with a lifelong burden. (41:45) When Psychedelics Cause Harm — Why challenging doesn't always mean healing. (50:05) Sacred Scars — Bringing lived experience into clinical practice. Dr. Chantelle Thomas, Executive Clinical Director Windrose Recovery: https://windroserecovery.com/ Transform Trauma Oxford 2026: https://mastersevents.com/oxford-2026/schedule/
