Dr. S revisits spirituality as a clinical intervention, acknowledging that the term can trigger memories of shame, coercion, or abuse within religious settings, and clarifying that harmful delivery by people and institutions is not the same as spirituality itself. She names religious trauma as a recognized clinical phenomenon, citing Dr. Marlene Winell’s Religious Trauma Syndrome (2011) and reporting estimates that 27–33% of adults have experienced religious trauma, with 15–20% still symptomatic, and a 2021 study finding 33% trauma symptoms among those leaving high-control religions. She discusses research on “innate belief,” including Oxford’s Justin Barrett, while noting contested aspects, and argues that spiritual practice benefits health regardless of theological content. Using a yoga-injury analogy, she invites listeners to explore belief with curiosity, attend to bodily responses, and separate essence from delivery to reclaim meaning, connection, and wellbeing.

00:00 Spirituality and Triggers
04:08 Separating Faith From Harm
08:36 Religious Trauma Is Real
10:45 Essence vs Delivery
13:58 Science of Innate Belief
17:17 Clinical Benefits of Practice
19:05 Reframing After Bad Experiences
20:55 How to Explore Safely
24:55 Invitation and Next Episode
29:23 Final Question to Sit With

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Dr Safia Debar
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One of Tatler's "Top 21 private doctors in Britain" 2020
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