Friday, April 4th, 2025
10 am - 6:10 pm
&
Saturday, April 5th, 2025
10 am - 6:10 pm
9065 South 1300 East
Sandy, Utah 84094
Testimonials
"I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Annelise Murphy and witnessing her incredible skill in helping those who have experienced religious trauma. With deep expertise in both theological and mental health constructs, she seamlessly integrates these areas to guide individuals on their healing journey. Annelise’s caring, supportive demeanor—along with her great sense of humor—creates a comforting and welcoming space. Most importantly, she engages with people in a nonjudgmental way, ensuring that individuals at all stages of their journey feel safe, supported, and understood."
-Alex Ertl, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
"I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Annelise Murphy and witnessing her incredible skill in helping those who have experienced religious trauma. With deep expertise in both theological and mental health constructs, she seamlessly integrates these areas to guide individuals on their healing journey. Annelise’s caring, supportive demeanor—along with her great sense of humor—creates a comforting and welcoming space. Most importantly, she engages with people in a nonjudgmental way, ensuring that individuals at all stages of their journey feel safe, supported, and understood."
-Alex Ertl, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
"I am so excited for this training! I've had the privilege of working alongside Annelise, and she skillfully navigates the deeply personal and complex intersections of faith and mental health. She is highly adept in trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirming care, particularly in addressing religious trauma, and has an exceptional ability to cultivate client-centered, non-judgmental, and open-minded safe spaces. With Annelise, you genuinely feel seen, heard, and understood, no matter where you are on your mental health and faith journey. I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had in getting to know and learn from Annelise."
-Linda Cahoon, LCSW
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Testimonials
"I have had the privilege of witnessing Annelise’s incredible work in supporting individuals navigating religious trauma. As the creator and leader of the religious trauma group at the Utah Pride Center, she provided a compassionate and insightful space for healing. Her unique ability to balance faith and mental health with a nuanced, trauma-informed approach makes her an invaluable resource. With deep knowledge in both clinical and theological perspectives, she offers therapists a well-rounded, informed framework for working with clients from diverse religious backgrounds. I highly recommend engaging with her work—her expertise is both affirming and transformative."
-Lulu McPharlin, M.Ed
Master of Education
"The Religious Trauma Process Group, created and run by Annelise Murphy, was a deeply healing experience. It showed me I wasn’t alone in navigating the in-between of leaving the church while still holding some beliefs. I felt less guilt, more validation, and a sense of belonging among others who understood. The structured yet flexible discussions created a safe, judgment-free space where I could process my trauma, challenge harmful teachings, and connect with people at all stages of their journey.
Hearing others’ stories helped me make sense of my own, especially around anger, grief, and manipulation. It was powerful to say painful truths out loud and realize my experiences were real. Even virtually, the connections were strong—many of us still keep in touch. This group gave me clarity, self-compassion, and the freedom to heal at my own pace."
- Anon Group Member
About the Presenter: Annelise Murphy, LCMHC
Annelise Murphy, LCMHC, is a leading expert in religious trauma and identity conflict, with years of experience helping individuals navigate faith-based trauma, high-control religious environments, and the intersection of spirituality and mental health. She specializes in treating OCD—particularly scrupulosity OCD—using Exposure-Response Prevention (ERP) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) while integrating an understanding of how religious doctrine can reinforce obsessive-compulsive beliefs.
Annelise has been at the forefront of religious trauma treatment, launching and facilitating queer-focused religious trauma support groups at the Utah Pride Center before expanding them at Corner Canyon Counseling to serve adults from diverse religious backgrounds. She now owns and operates Ginger Zen Therapy, a private practice dedicated to supporting individuals grappling with religious beliefs within their DSM diagnoses.
Beyond her clinical work, Annelise is an active member of the Reclamation Collective, a national network of therapists specializing in religious trauma. She is also a co-author of Feel Secure in Yourself: A Guidebook for LGBTQIA+ People and Those with a Different Label or No Label, where she contributed the chapter “Find Peace with Religious, Sexual, and Gender Conflicts”. This resource provides vital guidance for those struggling to reconcile their faith with gender and sexual identity.
In addition to her work in religious trauma, Annelise was the lead researcher of a groundbreaking study on consensual nonmonogamy (CNM), published in the Social Psychological and Personality Science Journal in April 2020. The study, A Prospective Investigation of the Decision to Open Up a Romantic Relationship, followed 233 individuals over two months, examining the impact of CNM on relational, sexual, and personal well-being. The findings demonstrated that individuals who engaged in CNM experienced significant increases in sexual satisfaction—particularly when addressing sexual incompatibilities—without adverse effects on life satisfaction or relationship quality with their primary partners.
With a unique ability to bridge religious deconstruction and clinical mental health treatment, Annelise offers a compassionate, evidence-based approach to healing. Her work ensures that clients can explore their beliefs, relationships, and identities without bias—whether they choose to leave, redefine, or remain within their faith.