SUPPORT GROUPS

Empathetic Witness Support Group

If trauma is “what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness” (Dr. Gabor Maté), then healing can only happen when our pain is seen, acknowledged, and held with empathy. This is the underlying premise of the Empathetic Witness Support Group, designed to provide a space of encouragement, healing, and support for those who have been harmed by religion.

Support groups bring together a group of people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. In this case, the group is intended to bring together those who have experienced adverse religious experiences and who desire to pursue healing in the context of spiritual community. A support group gives its members opportunities to share personal stories; to talk about their thoughts, feelings, and concerns; to learn and share helpful information and coping strategies; and to support and encourage one another. A support group is not the same as group therapy. Group therapy is a type of mental health treatment led by a mental health professional.

If you are someone who has been impacted by an adverse religious experience (whether or not you would describe it as “traumatic”), who would find engaging with a community of empathetic witnesses to be encouraging, and who hopes (or wonders if) spirituality can still be a resource for healing — then this group is for you.

Led by pastor and therapist Alison Noll (see her bio below), participants in this support group will:

  • Explore terminology and concepts related to adverse religious experiences (AREs)

  • Reflect upon the ways that AREs impact life in the present

  • Learn and practice the skills of empathetic witnessing

  • Share stories of harm in the presence of empathetic witnesses

  • Consider perspectives around healing and meaning-making

  • Engage in embodied spiritual practices (optional)

Current Offerings:

Fall Support Group

September 30 - November 4, 2025

Tuesdays at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. CT (8:00 - 9:30 p.m. EST)

  • Anyone who has been harmed by religion, who would find engaging with a community of empathetic witnesses to be encouraging, and who hopes (or wonders if) spirituality can still be a resource for healing.

  • The group will consist of 5-8 participants and one facilitator (Alison Noll).

  • We will meet via Zoom for six weeks:

    • September 30

    • October 7

    • October 14

    • October 21

    • October 28

    • November 4

    Each session will begin at 7:00pm CT (8:00pm EST) and last for 90 minutes.

  • Thanks to the generosity of donors of The Healing Collective, the total for all six sessions is $50, plus the cost to purchase Holy Hurt for select readings (available online for $15-20).

  • Attend all six sessions

    • This is important for cultivating a supportive healing environment for everyone.

    Commit to confidentiality

    • All that is shared in the group space must be kept confidential (except what would be illegal not to share) in order to maintain safety.

    Purchase a copy of Holy Hurt from your bookstore of choice

    • Commit to read brief selected readings from the book in preparation for each week’s session.

    • You’ll receive access to a Learning Management System that will outline your weekly readings.

Meet the Facilitator

Alison Noll

This virtual support group is led by Alison Noll (MDiv, MSW, LMSW). Alison’s work as the Lead Pastor at River NYC (a post-evangelical church in Manhattan), her years as a therapist in community-based mental health, and her own experiences of pursuing healing as a trauma survivor have convinced her that all people are spiritual (meaning-makers) and that empathetic witness is a crucial aspect of the healing journey..

Registration:

Please fill out the form below to reserve your spot in the upcoming Empathetic Witness Support Group. Space is limited.