Episode 10: Conversation with Dr. Cyndi Matthews on Spiritual Abuse from an Experienced Licensed Therapist's Perspective

The Faith Transition Podcast

In this episode of The Faith Transition Podcast, I have a very enlightening conversation with Dr. Cyndi Matthews. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) working with individuals, couples, and families. Dr. Cyndi Matthews graduated with a Ph.D. and Masters in Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She has over 20 years of clinical experience. She utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Adlerian therapy. She is a person-centered therapist who focuses on the values of empathy, genuineness, and non-judgment. She is also a Supervisor helping LPC-interns working towards their license.

Her private practice specializes in Religious Abuse & Cult Recovery, Depression/Anxiety/Stress, LGBTQ+ Issues/Gender Identity, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sexual, Emotional, & and Physical Abuse, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Sex Therapy, Premarital Counseling, Communication Skills, Crisis Management, and Relationship Effectiveness.

Along with CBT and Aldertian therapy, she is also trained in Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Couples' Gottman and Couples Imago therapy, Sandtray therapy, and Psychodrama.

In this episode, we have an open and honest conversation about her upbringing in the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, why she left a decade ago, what motivated her to focus her research on spiritual abuse and survivors of cults and the challenges they face as they leave the cult environment.

Along with others, Dr. Cyndi Matthews is carving a path for therapists to better serve survivors of spiritual abuse as well as informing clergy members, through dialogue, about the reality and damages of spiritual abuse.

Dr. Cyndi Matthews expands on the 4 main characteristics of Spiritual Abuse:

1. Abuse of power

2. Conditionality - Everything is conditional in a cult environment

3. Suppression of Expression - Denial of questions, wants and needs

4. Spiritual Injury causing self-doubt

For more info about Dr Cyndi Matthews and her work:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/dr-cyndi-matthews-garland-tx/276028

https://www.smu.edu/Simmons/About-Us/Directory/Counseling/Matthews

https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/articles/counseling-individuals-through-a-crisis-of-faith-dr-cyndi-matthews-lpc

https://ct.counseling.org/2018/07/in-search-of-an-affirming-faith/

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