Hey friend! In this insightful interview with therapist and researcher Dr. Karen Roudkovski, we unpack the complex dynamics of spiritual abuse. Dr. Roudkovski defines spiritual abuse and explains how it goes beyond religious settings. We discuss the grooming tactics used by abusers to gain control, the isolation that keeps victims trapped, and surprising ways that even church leaders can experience spiritual abuse. Key takeaways include: - How Dr. Roudkovski's spiritual abuse assessment tool can aid recognition and recovery - The extensive emotional, psychological, and physical harm caused by spiritual abuse - Why spiritual abuse is still often overlooked and misunderstood - Tactics abusers use to silence victims and evade accountability This is a heavy yet critical conversation. If you or someone you know has endured spiritual manipulation and abuse, Dr. Roudkovski offers compassionate wisdom. Let's continue raising awareness and advocating for change. I appreciate you taking time to watch and share your thoughts below. What stood out to you most? How can we better support survivors walking through recovery?
In this episode, you will be able to:
Understand the signs and dynamics of spiritual abuse within religious environments to protect yourself and others.
Discover the profound impact of spiritual abuse on mental health and well-being, gaining insights into its lasting effects.
Explore the role of therapy in the journey of recovering from spiritual abuse, learning about effective healing strategies.
Access valuable spiritual abuse assessment tools to gain clarity and validation on your experiences.
Navigate the complexities of workplace abuse within church settings, gaining awareness and empowerment to address these issues.
My special guest is Karen Roudkovski
Dr. Karen Roudkovski is a licensed professional counselor and an expert in understanding spiritual abuse. With extensive experience teaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Mississippi College at Baptist University, Dr. Roudkovski's research and newly released book, "Understanding Spiritual Abuse: What It Is and How To Respond," bring a wealth of knowledge to the topic. Her work includes developing a spiritual abuse assessment tool and shedding light on the impact of spiritual abuse in various religious and spiritual settings. Dr. Roudkovski's personal journey and professional expertise make her a valuable resource for those seeking to navigate the complexities of spiritual abuse.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to Spiritual Abuse
00:01:40 - Trigger Warning and Grounding Techniques
00:05:49 - Defining Spiritual Abuse
00:08:20 - Writing the Book on Spiritual Abuse
00:15:00 - Minimization of Spiritual Abuse
00:16:12 - Damaging Effects of Spiritual Abuse
00:16:53 - Grooming and Spiritual Abuse
00:18:20 - Idealized Leadership and Hierarchical Structures
00:19:52 - Power Dynamics in Mega Churches
00:31:15 - Areas of Control in Spiritual Abuse
00:32:42 - Importance of Acceptance and Unrealistic Expectations
00:34:03 - Forms of Spiritual Abuse
00:36:14 - Isolation and Control
00:39:19 - Spiritual Abuse of Church Leaders
00:46:43 - Prevalence of Spiritual Abuse in Southern Baptist Ministers
00:47:20 - Qualitative Study on Associate Pastors' Experiences
00:48:09 - Denial of Spiritual Abuse
00:48:48 - Making Churches Safer
00:50:13 - Where to Find Karen Roudkovski
00:51:35 - Impact of Spiritual Abuse
01:01:36 - Appreciation for the Global Audience
01:02:10 - Importance of Reviews and Sharing
01:02:49 - Making a Difference
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Check out Karen Roudkovski's book on spiritual abuse, available on Brodman and Holdman academic's website or other major book retailers.
Join the Patreon community at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive interviews with guests, including a deeper conversation with Karen Roudkovski about spiritual abuse.
Listen to the Our Story series on the A World of Difference podcast, where Lori Adams-Brown shares her personal experience with spiritual abuse and its aftermath.
Consider reaching out to Karen Roudkovski for speaking engagements or training sessions on spiritual abuse awareness and prevention at your church or organization.
Leave a review for the A World of Difference podcast on major podcast platforms to help others discover and benefit from the insightful conversations on spiritual abuse and other important topics.
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