Spiritual Bypassing in Wellness Culture
If you have ever been handed a smoothie, a scripture, or a conspiracy theory when what you really needed was trauma-informed support, you have likely encountered spiritual bypassing wrapped in the language of wellness.
Spiritual bypassing happens when people use spiritual-sounding beliefs to dismiss pain, avoid uncomfortable emotions, or ignore social realities. It is not just annoying, but can be harmful, especially when it shows up in wellness spaces that actively reject science, public health, and trauma-informed care.
What is Spiritual Bypassing?
The term “spiritual bypassing” was coined by psychologist John Welwood and refers to using spiritual beliefs or practices to avoid dealing with unresolved emotional wounds, psychological pain, or social issues.
In practice, it can sound like:
“Everything happens for a reason.”
“Don’t hold onto anger. Anger is always bad.”
“You just need to pray more.”
“Let go of your trauma. It is in the past.”
These responses can feel invalidating, especially if you are navigating deep grief, trauma, religious harm, or identity struggles. They often come wrapped in positivity, but they can shut down complexity, nuance, and emotional truth.
How Wellness Culture Can Fuel Bypassing
Wellness culture has become increasingly entangled with ideologies that reject science, dismiss mental health professionals, and weaponize "positive thinking" as the only acceptable state of being. Influencers and gurus claim that depression is just a mindset issue. Chronic illness? You just need to eat better. PTSD? You just need to change your mindset.
Many of these same voices promote distrust of public health guidance, vaccines, therapy, and research while promoting diets and selling supplements, “detoxes,” and spiritual coaching as the cure-all.
This is actually spiritual bypassing, dressed in “wellness” ideals.
For people recovering from religious trauma or high-control groups, this can feel disturbingly familiar. Once again, you are told:
Don’t question.
Just trust me.
You just have to pay for “x,y,z product” and you’ll be cured.
If it is not working, you are the problem.
You’re not trying hard enough.
Why This Is So Harmful
When pain gets reframed as a “block” in your energy field, or trauma gets blamed on your attitude, the result is shame and self-doubt on top of what you are already carrying.
Spiritual bypassing in wellness spaces can:
Shame natural trauma responses like anxiety, grief, or anger
Prevent people from seeking actual support, treatment, or therapy
Minimize systemic oppression and social realities
Discourage science-backed healing tools (like medication), or preventative measures (like contraceptives, vaccines, etc.)
What Real Healing Actually Looks Like
Real healing does not ignore the body. It includes it. It honors your nervous system, your lived experience, and your agency. It might include meditation or journaling, but it also includes:
Naming what actually happened
Validating your emotions (yes, even anger)
Addressing trauma at the root, not just covering it with prayer, meditation, or affirmations
Knowing when it is time for skilled, professional support
Trusting science backed, medical experts
You do not have to choose between spirituality and science. But if your healing spaces shame complexity, discourage questioning, or blame you for your pain, they are not wellness. They are just control in a different costume.
Therapy That Holds Space for Reality
In my practice, I work with people who are shifting from toxic positivity, people who want healing rooted in reality and able to hole multiple truths. Especially for those recovering from religious trauma or high-demand belief systems, it is important to have space to feel everything: rage, grief, confusion, joy. No bypassing. No shame. Just truth.
If you are ready to stop bypassing and start healing in a way that honors both your story and your body, you are not crazy, you are just finally listening to yourself. And that is what real wellness is.
Reach out to start therapy or to learn more about working with me.
Disclaimer:
⚠️ The content on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes ONLY and should NOT be considered a substitute for personal professional mental health care, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading these posts does not establish a therapeutic relationship.
If you are currently in crisis, experiencing thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are in need of immediate support, please call 911 or contact a crisis line such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (U.S.) or access your local emergency services.
These blog posts are written to explore topics like trauma, religious deconstruction, cults, identity development, and mental wellness in a thoughtful and compassionate way. They may (or may not) resonate deeply, especially for those healing from complex trauma, but they are NOT meant to replace individualized therapy or medical care.
