In this interview I speak with Dr. Sandra Noble (PhD, LPC, NCC), who holds a PhD in counsellor education and supervision and a masters in clinical mental health counselling. Sandra is a counselling professor at a grad school in Portland, Oregon and also a licensed professional counsellor in private practice. She’s certified as an eating disorder specialist and a clinical trauma professional, and in the show you’ll hear us talk about her research in embodiment, recovery, and spirituality, and especially how 2SLGBTQ+ individuals experience embodied reactions to the religious traumas of purity culture. In this episode we discuss some of the ways that purity culture (strongly emphasized in evangelical conservative Christian churches and especially to youth) have lasting negative affects on individuals’ sexuality, especially for 2SLGBTQIA+ women and trans people.
One thing to forewarn about: if the topic of eating disorders, and/or being shamed for your sexual desire by authority figures is a sensitive topic for you, I wanted to let you know that you may find some of this content triggering. So a gentle reminder to check in with yourself to see if it’s a good time for you to listen to this kind of content.
Show notes:
Dr. Sandra Noble spoke of a number of resources and concepts related to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). If you’re interested in learning more about ACT, you can look into the workbook “Get Out Of Your Mind” or any content developed by Dr. Steven Hayes, as well as “Happiness Trap” by Russ Harris.
To learn more about Sandra’s practice and research or to get in touch, you can contact her via: https://www.georgefox.edu/counseling-programs/faculty/noble.html.
Permissions:
The instrumental of the song “Bones” by OKNaledi is used with permission. Check out the full version here.
Purity Culture, Religious Trauma, and LGBTQ+ Healing | Sandra Noble, LPC, PhD, NCC