The impact of deconstruction on mental health (Part 1 of 2)

Written By Karen Chambless, LPC-MHSP

Religious deconstruction isn’t just changing your mind about some arbitrary theological details. Deconstruction is a cognitive, emotional, relational, and spiritual-existential process. It can be lonely, painful, and even traumatic, though many people who have experienced it do not regret their choices.

If you have deconstructed or are deconstructing, your mental health is very likely being affected, and you can benefit from talking to a mental health provider who specializes in working with religious deconstruction.

Please note - deconstruction can refer to the process of changing beliefs about many different ideologies. For the purposes of this article, from here on out when I say “deconstruction” it refers to “religious deconstruction.”

The current American political climate has contributed to the ongoing pattern of religion decreasing in importance in public life. If the government’s use of Christian scripture, beliefs, practices, and rituals feels confusing, disturbing, or horrifying to you, you’re not alone. The American Psychological Association notes that “according to a February 2025 Pew Research Study, 35% of U.S. adults have switched or left religion since childhood, leading to an increase in the religiously unaffiliated.” Yet deconstruction isn’t just a trend, as people of faith have been wrestling with and questioning their beliefs for as long as we’ve had them (and that’s a whole separate blog post). 

Deconstruction, or questioning a system of beliefs taught or imposed by others, tends to be an ongoing process rather than a single event, especially for people who were raised within a religious context. Their religious beliefs are tied into the very development of their nervous system, and don’t tend to untangle themselves neatly overnight. Deconstruction can happen while in a faith community, while leaving it, or because of leaving it. 

I have experienced two major periods of deconstruction in my life, both equally devastating and freeing. And I’m still deconstructing today, by the way, though what I’m deconstructing from now looks less like fundamentalist Christianity and looks more like colonialism, patriarchy, ableism, and white supremacy. 

Deconstruction is a cognitive experience because it involves sorting through, assessing, and wrestling with thoughts and beliefs about who we are, the way the world is, who God is, who others are, how to live a good life, and more. Many high-control religious environments discourage folks from even letting themselves have questioning or doubtful thoughts, let alone express them, because they often don’t have very satisfactory answers to those questions. Deconstruction is often related to and/or caused by cognitive dissonance, which is “a state of mental discomfort that occurs when a person holds beliefs or opinions that are inconsistent, or that conflict with an aspect of their behavior.”

Folks often experience the following cognitive symptoms if they have started deconstructing: 

  • Intrusive thoughts

  • Racing thoughts

  • Consistent worry

  • Playing “what if” scenarios about the future

  • Obsessing over past conversations/interactions in a religious setting

  • Feeling torn between questions/curiosity and a harsh inner critic

  • General mental distress and discomfort 

Deconstruction is also an emotional experience, especially as many faith communities strongly discourage it and imply punishment of some kind if you are experiencing doubt. Many Christian churches also teach that if you deconstruct, you may go to hell, which obviously induces terror and fear.

Deconstruction can involve the following emotional symptoms:

  • Persistent and excessive guilt

  • Shame spiraling

  • Terror and panic

  • Dread

  • Hopelessness

  • Isolation and loneliness

  • Self-doubt and paranoia

  • Anxiety

  • Anger and rage

  • Sadness and despair

  • Grief

These cognitive and emotional symptoms can also lead to difficulties with sleeping, eating, motivation, and energy. Our religious and spiritual beliefs impact every area of our health, including mental health. 

From my lived experience as well as professional expertise, I specialize in working with folks experiencing or recovering from religious deconstruction. Whether deconstruction leads you to an identity as an exvangelical, a religious “none,” an atheist, spiritual-but-not-religious, another faith altogether, or just a different type of Christianity, you don’t have to go through it alone. If you’d like to learn more about therapy for religious deconstruction, visit my page on it or schedule a consult call below.

Check back later for Part 2 where we’ll discuss more about the relational and existential-spiritual aspects of deconstruction.

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Karen Chambless, LPC-MHSP

Karen Chambless is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Tennessee with Mental Health Service Provider (MHSP) designation. This means she has completed a masters degree in counseling from an accredited school, completed over 500 hours of training and clinical work while in school, passed two national examinations and a state exam, and practiced for over two years under supervision by an already licensed counselor, accruing at least 3,000 hours of experience and 150 hours of supervision. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Karen has been practicing therapy for 5 years, but spent the first 25+ years of her life as a quintessential eldest daughter and the “mom friend” of her friend group, so she’s had a long time to hone her listening and supportive-question-asking skills.

Karen Chambless is an expert and clinical specialist in religious trauma. She has advanced training and experience in treating both complex trauma and religious trauma, as well as training and experience working with folks figuring out their queer/trans identity and/or neurotype (Autism, ADHD, Highly Sensitive, etc). Karen identifies as Queer & Highly Sensitive and is passionate about supporting folks with LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent identities to grow and heal and be their whole magical selves.

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