Andrew Mead Counselling Services

Religious Trauma

Andrew was raised under the shadow of religious fundamentalism, with a grandfather who was a prominent leader within a fundamentalist Christian sect. He witnessed first-hand how damaging the impact of certain religious teachings can be on human life. He watched people he loved live their entire lives held hostage by life-diminishing beliefs, never able to escape the effects of indoctrination, never finding peace or flourishing or wholeness. 

Andrew’s own pathway out of fundamentalist beliefs almost destroyed him. He eventually completed a degree in theology and was ordained a minister in a mainline Australian denomination. But even in that context, he continued to see the damage and trauma certain religious teachings created, and the shocking prevalence of both spiritual abuse and dangerous incompetence by those in all levels of church leadership. 

After completing accredited training in counselling and psychotherapy, Andrew is now a registered counsellor. He brings decades of real-life experience of Religious Trauma – in his own life, and in the lives of those he has served and cared for – into his practice. He is currently enrolled in a Master of Counselling with the purpose of developing a research project in Religious Trauma. 

Andrew’s approach to Religious Trauma combines compassion and understanding with evidence-based training.  He also supports those who are questioning and deconstructing their faith, with an insider’s understanding of how painful and lonely this process can be. Supporting people in recovery from Religious Trauma and harm has become a major part of Andrew’s purpose in life.