Processing the 2024 Election: Thoughts from a Religious Trauma Therapist

Here we are, post 2024 presidential election. If you’re feeling a lot right now, you’re definitely not alone. I’m hearing from so many people who are flooded with all kinds of emotions, from anxiety to shock to rage to disbelief to something that just feels hard to name. And as a queer person and religious trauma survivor myself, I know on a personal level just how overwhelming these unprecedented times can be. Many people who’ve escaped high-control religion or who’ve experienced spiritual abuse are dealing with a lot of triggers right now and are struggling to make sense of what just happened.

A lot of you are not okay. 

I’m not okay. 

(Full self-disclosure:  I’ve been staring at a blank screen for the last hour as I try to gather and articulate my thoughts while vacillating between states of disbelief, disillusionment, disgust, and despair…I’ve started multiple paragraphs and deleted them all.) 

Also, in order to normalize the spiraling that a lot of people are likely feeling, as I’ve been staring at my blank screen I’ve also googled:

• Why?

• How did we get here?

• Are we living in the The Handmaid’s Tale?

• What countries are easiest for Americans to get citizenship?

• How long can an American legally stay in Canada?

• What countries are safest for the homos?

• Dinner ideas when you need comfort food.

As I’ve been trying to process, I’ve also been distracted by the trees out my window that are dramatically swaying back and forth in the fierce warm wind. It’s our first Santa Ana of the season here in San Diego, which, for those that aren’t familiar, is when the winds shift and bring unseasonably hot and dry air off the desert in the fall and winter.  The unnerve I feel about not being able to cognitively make sense of the weather right now (i.e. “It’s November and should be cool, but it’s 80 degrees outside…wtf.”) feels like an appropriate parallel to the unnerve I feel about not being able to cognitively make sense of the results of the presidential election last week (i.e. “It’s 2024 so we should be making progress, but right now misogyny, racism, transphobia, etc. are all winning…wtf.”)

For many, the outcome of the 2024 presidential election has brought fear, frustration, and maybe even a sense of helplessness. If you escaped evangelicalism like I did, and have since watched that religious group embrace and celebrate a candidate so shockingly……(too many adjectives, not enough time, so dealer’s choice fill in the blank) and then vote him into the presidency, you are probably feeling very activated. You are probably remembering the ways this religious institution traumatized you. You are probably remembering how hard you fought to get away from it all only to now be at the mercy of those harmful ideologies in the highest seats of power in our government.

If this resonates with you, know you’re not alone. Let’s talk through some of the common feelings we as religious trauma survivors are probably grappling with right now, and look at some ways we can regulate ourselves when we feel like screaming “WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!?”   “I JUST CAN’T ANYMORE WITH ANY OF THIS!!”

1. Fear of Losing the Progress You’ve Made

When you’ve worked hard to escape oppressive religious systems and reclaim who you are, shifts in the political environment can feel like they’re pulling you backward. Many LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized folks feel this deeply, worrying about freedoms that could be at risk.

How to regulate: Reflect on how resilient you are. Seriously. Look at what you’ve already navigated. Take a moment to write down or talk about the progress you’ve made. It’s real, and no political event can take that from you. Even a short journal entry or a voice memo to yourself can help remind you of your strength.

2. Grief About an Inclusive Future You Hoped For

For a lot of us, working through religious trauma means envisioning a new, inclusive life where you can just be you. But when things like the 2024 election happen and political tides shift in ways that feel restrictive, it can be heartbreaking and scary. You might find yourself grieving that a world that embraces you fully seems out of reach.

How to regulate: Allow yourself to grieve. Grief comes with all sorts of losses, not just with death. Know that it’s okay to mourn what feels lost.  Also remember to take breaks from grieving in order to care for yourself with things like moving your body, eating healthily, and going outside.

3. Anger

Pissed off? Makes a lot of sense. If you left high control religion after the rise of Christian Nationalism during the 2016 election only to watch it play out again a second time in 2024, you are probably feeling a healthy amount of rage.

How to regulate: Validate your anger. Yes, it’s okay to be angry (even though high control religion likely said it was not allowed or sinful). It’s an emotion that tells us something valuable is at stake. Channel that energy in a way that feels constructive, like supporting organizations you care about or having conversations that feel meaningful. Your anger doesn’t have to be something to fear; it can be fuel for positive change. There’s also nothing wrong with a good car scream…

4. Complicated Feelings About Family

If your family still holds certain religious or political views, election cycles can activate a lot of complex feelings in relationships —especially if they supported someone or something that feels fundamentally opposing to who you are or what you need and want. You might feel guilt, worry, or even anger about where they stand.

How to regulate: You don’t have to justify your beliefs and values to anyone. It’s okay to love your family and still disagree with them. Boundaries are there to protect your peace, not to be a barrier to love. Hold space for yourself to have these feelings, and trust that you’re allowed to prioritize your mental health. Mute people on social media if you need to.

5. Feeling Alone in Your Experiences

You might worry that others won’t understand why the results of this election are such a big deal for you, especially if they don’t have an understanding of high control religion, what religious trauma is, and how it can affect someone.

How to regulate: Seek out community, whether it’s through an online group, a local support group, or reaching out to trusted friends. Sharing your experiences and connecting with others who’ve been through similar situations can remind you that you’re not alone.

If you need support in processing any of this, please reach out. Therapy can offer a space to talk, reflect, gain support, and find a way forward through the confusing and/or painful mess.  I’m here as a licensed therapist who specializes in helping survivors of religious trauma, spiritual abuse, high-control religion, and purity culture.  I’m accepting new clients in CA, FL, and MO. Request a free 15-minute consultation below to explore how religious trauma therapy can support your healing journey.