Coaching & Counselling
for Religious Trauma and Life Transitions
When you don’t know what comes next, but you know something needs to change…
Whether we’re connecting over religious trauma or any other challenge, in our 1:1 sessions together, we’ll consider options and potential ways forward. With me, you’ll find the peace and safety required for such powerful exploration.
One-to-One Coaching & Counselling with Janice Selbie
"Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul." - Walt Whitman
📍All appointments are virtual and available worldwide
I want our sessions to be a place where you can be yourself, without judgment or pressure.
In our work together, I serve as both mirror and lantern: a chance to see yourself more clearly while shedding light on possibilities for what may come next.
My approach is warm, practical, and collaborative, with room for humour and encouragement. I believe in your capacity to grow, make meaningful changes, and trust your own judgment.
To explore whether we’re a good fit, schedule your free consultation today.
I’ve helped clients around the world rebuild their lives after involvement in high-demand fundamentalist religions and families – and I can help you, too. I’m not just a counsellor and coach; I am also a survivor of religious trauma syndrome.
I use evidence-based therapeutic techniques to assist individuals in processing their emotions, reducing anxiety and depression, and improving their overall well-being.
Through one-on-one sessions, clients receive tailored support that focuses on their unique needs and challenges, making religious trauma coaching and counselling effective and compassionate approaches to healing.
What’s the difference between coaching and counselling?
Counselling is available to clients in Canada. Clients outside Canada can work with me through coaching.
Coaching is a collaborative, goal-focused service that can help you identify priorities, develop skills, explore options, and take practical steps toward your goals. Our work may include communication, relationships, boundaries, self-trust, life transitions, personal growth, or recovery from challenging religious experiences.
Counselling provides space to explore emotional distress, difficult experiences, relationship patterns, and concerns that may be affecting your well-being. It can help you better understand yourself, process emotions and experiences, develop healthier ways of coping, and make meaningful changes in your life.
Essentially, there can be overlap between the two. Coaching is generally more goal-and-action focused, while counselling allows for deeper exploration of emotional and psychological concerns.
A Note About Coaching:
When you work with me as a coach, our work is coaching rather than counselling or psychotherapy. Coaching does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions and is not a substitute for counselling, psychotherapy, or medical care.
"Thank you so dearly for the great guidance and encouragement and finding resources to help me out on this part of the journey! I really appreciate you and everything you do, working with you has been a great blessing."
— Anonymous, former evangelical & MK“You’ve given me so much peace and clarity helping me navigate my new life, my mental health has NEVER been better. I didn’t have time at the end to say all of this when the session was ending but I still wanted to reach out and tell you how much that meant to me. Thank you for guiding me to such a place of happiness in my path! I always look forward to our sessions. Thank you Janice!”
— Anonymous, former Pentecostal“Connecting with you has made a huge difference for me on my path. It has been very meaningful to meet and work with you. The work you are doing is so important. I know it has been vital to my healing! I have really appreciated your expertise and your kindness.”
— Anonymous, former BaptistAbout My Practice
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No. I work with adults from both religious and non-religious backgrounds on concerns such as relationships, boundaries, identity, communication, life transitions, and personal growth.
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Religious trauma can affect people in many ways, including guilt, shame, fear, relationships, identity, or difficulty trusting yourself.
You don’t need a diagnosis to explore how religion may have affected you. Not everyone has been traumatized by their religious experiences.
You’re welcome to take my Religious Trauma Quiz to gain a better view of how religious training may still be impacting you today.
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My clients are people just like you. They come from a variety of religious, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, from age 19 to 83, from multiple countries and continents.
Religious backgrounds of clients I’ve worked with include:
Amish
Baptist (General, Reformed, IFB, SBC)
Buddhist
Catholic
Christian and MIssionary Alliance
Christian Orthodox
Christian Reformed
Christian Science
Church of Christ
Church of God
Dutch Reformed
Episcopal
Evangelical
Foursquare
Greek Orthodox
Hindu
IHOP (International House of Prayer)
Islam
Jehovah’s Witness
Judaism (Chabad, Hasidic, Orthodox, Reform),
Lutheran
Mennonite
Mormon (LDS/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
Nazarene
Presbyterian
Scientology
Seventh Day Adventist
Unification Church
Vineyard
Yoga cults, and more.
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During our private Zoom session, we’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, what you’d like to change, and what might help. Sessions are collaborative and tailored to you. Homework and a brief session summary may be offered by email if the client wants it.
What philosophies influence your work?
My work is person-centered and existential. CBT, DBT, and ACT are the main therapies I draw from in my practice.
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Yes. I offer coaching to adults internationally. Counselling services are available to adults in Canada. All sessions are virtual.
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All of my invoicing and statement descriptions are discreet in order to respect your privacy.
Payment FAQs
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My clients generally begin with a free, no obligation 20-minute Zoom consultation.
Afterwards, a single 60-minute 1:1 session is $200 CAD, or about $150 USD.
You can get 7.5% off by booking the 3 appointment bundle, or 12.5% off by booking 6 appointment bundle.
Both bundles include a complementary copy of my Ultimate Deconstruction Guide & Workbook.
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Yes. Sliding scale payment options are available for Canadians and those in very challenging financial situations.
We can discuss options in your free 20-minute discovery consultation call over Zoom.
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For Canadian clients, coverage varies by insurance provider and plan. I’m happy to provide my professional credentials for you to submit to your insurance provider ahead of timere to determine whether your plan covers my services.
I do not deal directly with insurance carriers.
International sessions are not covered by insurance.
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After scheduling your session, you’ll be provided with a link to pay via Stripe. You’ll find the link in the scheduling confirmation message as well as a confirmation email
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You’ll need to pay within 48 hours of scheduling in order to reserve your spot.
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Yes. After scheduling your appointment, you’ll be able to pay with Stripe, which allows installment payments.
Save by booking bundled appointments
Most people I work with need three to six sessions, and then they're ready to carry on without me. That's the goal. Booking a bundle lets you plan for that and pay less along the way.
All bundled bookings include a free copy of the Ultimate Deconstruction Guide Workbook.
3 Session Bundle - 7.5% off
$600 CAD, now $555 CAD
(Approximately $415 USD)
6 Session Bundle - 12.5% off
$1200 CAD, now $1050 CAD
(Approximately $760 USD)
Wherever you are on your journey, I’ll meet you there.
No judgment served. Just compassion, gentle humor, and a deep desire to help. All appointments are virtual.
People choose to come to counselling or coaching for many different reasons, including:
Anxiety and stress
Boundaries and people-pleasing
Burnout
Grief and loss
Life transitions
Perfectionism
Relationships and communication
Religious trauma and faith transitions
Self-esteem and self-trust
Your reason for reaching out doesn’t need to fit neatly into a category. A consultation is simply a chance to talk about what’s bringing you here and whether working together feels like a good fit.
I offer a free, 20 minute 1:1 discovery consultation for those interested in coaching or counselling for religious trauma
We also hold affordable 6 week support groups covering rotating themes, such as navigating anger after deconstruction.
How do I know if I have religious trauma syndrome?
Take the free religious trauma quiz. No email required.
By answering a series of targeted questions, you’ll gain insights into whether your struggles are related to past religious training and experiences. This can be an important first step in recognizing the impact of religious trauma on your life and seeking the appropriate support and resources for healing.
The best time to change your life is today.
Learn more about our affordable 6-week themed support groups and sign up here.
Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook
What happens when your entire worldview crumbles?
Best-selling author Janice Selbie takes readers on a candid journey through the heart of fundamentalist Christianity and out the other side in this compelling memoir and practical guide.
From devout believer to religious trauma recovery expert, Selbie shares her experiences with unflinching honesty and unexpected humor.
In Divorcing Religion, Janice recounts:
Growing up in an evangelical household
Her struggles with purity culture and identity
The crisis of faith that led to leaving religion behind
Her sometimes messy path to rebuilding a life beyond belief
But Divorcing Religion offers more than just a personal story. Drawing from her expertise as a registered professional counselor specializing in religious trauma, Janice provides a comprehensive "Survival Handbook" for those breaking free from religious indoctrination.
This book is an invaluable resource for anyone questioning their faith, healing from religious trauma, or curious about life after fundamentalism.
FAQs
What is Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS)?
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Religious Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a condition experienced by individuals who have left high-control religions, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and identity confusion. It results from the psychological and emotional abuse associated with oppressive religious environments.
Do I have to be dealing with religious trauma to work with you?
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Not at all. I welcome clients working through a wide range of concerns, including communication challenges, grief and loss, identity issues, boundary concerns, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. Whether or not religion plays a role in what you're experiencing, you're welcome here.
What kinds of issues do you help with?
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I work with clients on a variety of concerns, including:
Life transitions
Grief and loss
Identity development and self-understanding
Self-love
Communication, boundaries, and relationship issues
Anxiety and depression
Religious trauma and purity culture indoctrination
If your specific situation is not listed here, schedule a free consultation to see if we're a good fit. If not, I’m happy to provide recommendations.
What is your cancellation policy?
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Unless it’s an unforeseen emergency, I require 24 hours' cancellation notice, or clients will be charged in full.