Church Hurt Resources and Support

Church hurt resources for every stage: urgent help, trained counselors, and reading for the long road back to faith.

If you are in danger or crisis right now

This site is a book and a ministry, not an emergency service. Please contact one of these free, confidential services.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 (U.S.), or chat at 988lifeline.org.
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline — 800-656-4673, or rainn.org.
National Domestic Violence Hotline — 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.
Emergency — call 911.

Abuse in a church or ministry

If a pastor, leader, or volunteer abused you or someone you know, you are not responsible for protecting the institution.

Report a crime to the police, not only to church leaders. Child abuse can also be reported to your state's child protective services.
GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) — education and advocacy for survivors and churches: netgrace.org.

Read more: Sexual misconduct in the church.

Finding a counselor who understands faith

Many people healing from church hurt want a counselor who respects their faith but is not tied to their former church.

Use the Psychology Today therapist directory and filter by "Christian" and "religious/spiritual issues."
Ask a possible counselor: "Have you worked with people hurt by a church or spiritual leader?"
A licensed counselor (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or psychologist) is trained to treat trauma. A pastor or lay counselor is not a substitute for trauma care.

Reading for the road back

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