Faith talk

For more than 20 years, I have been deeply involved in Pentecostal/Charismatic movements. I mention both because, in my
context, they are somewhat different (for example, Pentecostals allow speaking in tongues in public only with an interpreter,
and clapping and dancing during services is not common, as it is in Charismatic churches). For 13 summers, I have worked
or led Christian children’s and youth camps, and volunteered at the church.
I have been deeply immersed in the religious movement since the age of 8. Teaching and experience were a part of the
formation of my personality structure. Not every teaching and discipline has been a blessing. Some turned out to be
damaging and limiting.
If you feel that you have experienced religious trauma or brainwashing, it might indeed be the case. Belief systems can be
enslaving—they infiltrate the structure of a person’s personality and take over when radical or overly zealous teachings and
disciplines are imposed as control. It becomes increasingly difficult when you start feeling that your views differ from those
of the leader or the unspoken rules of the religious organization, or if you want to exercise your free will and leave, change
churches, or even study theology at a state-accredited university (as church seminaries tend to align with church principles).
Let me tell you, it interferes with an individual’s free will! And that is like crossing boundaries and stepping on the sacred
territory of a soul that God created to be free. One day is not enough to resolve the issue of religious trauma and its
consequences, but freedom is possible.

ACADEMIC JOURNEY

I have obtained all possible academic levels in theology:

• Doctoral degree in Theology from the University of Zurich, Switzerland (2023)
• Advanced Master’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium (2015)
• Master’s degree in Theology from the University of Latvia (2012)
• Sacred Bachelor’s degree through the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium (2015, simultaneously with the Master’s degree)
• Bible school and Seminary at Word of Life Church, Uppsala, Sweden (2008-2010)

My academic experience covers almost all major Christian denominations. I also served on the most recent Bible translation
revision committee in Latvia (2017–2024) and contributed to the Latvian Bible translation.
Before I started studying theology, my church and Christian friends warned me not to, as it might cause me to lose my faith.
Did I lose faith? Yes and no. Several times. More than I can recall. In fact, faith and knowledge do not influence each other
because faith stems from basic psychological needs—the need to exist and communicate beyond the material and our
limited physical reality. Academically acquired knowledge neither proves nor disproves the existence of God.

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES AND HEALING

My extensive theological studies did not address my inner well-being, nor did they free me from the cage of human control
and limiting beliefs in my soul. The beliefs instilled in us during our formative years in a religious environment often
operate on a subconscious level rather than a conscious, intellectual one. These beliefs shape our worldview, impose
limitations, and can generate feelings of guilt, shame, helplessness, and fear. These emotions influence our behavior, making
us afraid to act, speak, or be ourselves.
After 15 years of Bible study, I can confidently say that Jesus’ teachings were all about people—not dogmas or structures.
Hence, my understanding of Jesus’ gospel is this: the living must be resurrected while they are still alive.

Faith- related talk

Our sessions can be tailored to your needs. Whether you prefer a listening ear or seek advice, both options are available.
Additionally, cognitive-behavioural exercises can be offered to help you move past painful church experiences.

Let’ s talk:

• If you are considering changing churches
• If you want to leave your church without feeling guilty
• If you are contemplating joining a church or are unsure about doing so
• If you are struggling with a particular church teaching, interpretation, discipline, church hierarchy, or similar issues
• If you wonder whether you might have acquired a so-called religious trauma

You can also discuss hypnosis with me, how it works, and its relationship to religious conviction, or religious texts.

Feel free to ask me any questions about faith and hypnosis.
If you’d like to work with me, book your no-obligation 15-minute call, and we’ll take it from there.
You can also write to me via contact form, if you want to know whether I can help you with a specific faith-related
issue.