What Is a Faith Crisis? Navigating the Dark Night of the Soul
A faith crisis, sometimes referred to as a “faith transition” or even the “dark night of the soul,” is a deeply personal and often painful unraveling of previously held religious or spiritual beliefs. For some, it feels like the ground beneath them has suddenly disappeared. For others, it is a slow-burning ache as questions pile up and old certainties dissolve. This process can feel isolating, especially when your identity, community, family, or worldview has been closely tied to your faith.
What Does a Faith Crisis Look Like?
Faith crises can look different depending on the person and the religious environment they are coming from. Still, there are common threads like questioning previously held beliefs, feelings of betrayal, and loss of trust in religious leaders or institutions. Many people describe this experience as disorienting, like a spiritual identity earthquake. It can lead to psychological distress but also, ultimately, transformation.
When and Why Does a Faith Crisis Occur?
There is no such thing as one event that always leads to a faith crisis. However, some common occurrences include:
Learning disturbing historical or doctrinal information
Experiencing spiritual abuse or betrayal by leaders
Witnessing hypocrisy, harm, or exclusion in the name of faith
Major life changes such as marriage, parenthood, or trauma
Exposure to new worldviews (through education, travel, relationships)
Mental health struggles that cause people to question punitive or black-and-white belief systems
This does not mean someone is “rebelling.” Rather, it often means they are seeking truth, healing, or a more authentic connection to themselves and the world around them.
The “Dark Night of the Soul”
The phrase “dark night of the soul,” originating from Christian mystic St. John of the Cross, describes a spiritual desolation, a time when one feels abandoned by God, directionless, or spiritually lost. Many people in a faith crisis find this language helpful; it speaks to the deep grief and confusion they experience, even if they are intellectually choosing to step away from their religion.
Unlike depression, which can be generalized or rooted in brain chemistry, the “dark night” is tied to spiritual transformation. It can be an important (though excruciating) passage toward greater personal freedom, depth, and meaning.
Misconceptions and Myths About Faith Crises
Faith crises are often misunderstood, especially by those still within religious institutions. These misconceptions can add shame and confusion to an already painful process. Here are a few common myths:
"You just want to sin.” Many assume that people leave faith to pursue a "sinful lifestyle." In reality, most people in a faith crisis are deeply thoughtful, ethically driven, and seeking truth, not rebellion.
"You're being deceived by Satan.” In high-control religious environments, questioning is sometimes framed as spiritual attack or demonic influence. This can be incredibly damaging, especially for those raised to fear eternal punishment. Faith crises are more often the result of new information, trauma, or critical reflection, not spiritual failure.
"You’re just going through a phase.” Some loved ones minimize the crisis as temporary or emotionally driven. While some people do return to their original beliefs, many go on to reconstruct entirely new worldviews. A faith transition is often a process of identity formation, not a fleeting moment.
"You must have had a bad experience.” While many people do leave because of spiritual abuse, not everyone exits due to mistreatment. Some simply grow in new directions. Reducing a faith crisis to a single bad experience overlooks the complexity and depth of spiritual evolution.
"Without religion, you'll be lost or immoral.” There is a myth that people need religion to be moral, happy, or fulfilled. In truth, many people find deeper ethics, richer relationships, and profound meaning outside of institutional religion.
“You never believed in the first place.” Just because someone questions their faith does not mean they never believed. In fact, it often means that they found courage to ask questions contrary to what they may have been taught.
Symptoms of a Faith Crisis in High-Demand Religions
When someone begins questioning or leaving a high-demand religion where identity, community, purpose, and behavior are tightly regulated, they may experience symptoms that resemble trauma responses or acute psychological distress.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
Emotional Symptoms:
Grief and mourning (for lost beliefs, community, identity, or purpose)
Guilt or shame, especially about “betraying” faith, family, or God
Anxiety or panic, often about eternal consequences (hell, outer darkness, Armageddon)
Depression or numbness
Anger toward leaders, institutions, or oneself
Fear of punishment (spiritual or social)
Cognitive Symptoms:
Intrusive thoughts or obsessive rumination over beliefs
Hypervigilance (e.g., constantly watching for signs you made the "wrong" choice)
Black-and-white thinking (left over from binary belief systems)
Cognitive dissonance, especially when beliefs and values start to clash
Relational Symptoms:
Isolation from family, friends, or religious community
Conflict in relationships, especially with those still in the faith
Fear of being shunned or disowned
Difficulty trusting new people or communities
Somatic/Physical Symptoms:
Sleep disturbances, nightmares, or insomnia
Digestive issues or appetite changes
Body tension, headaches, or chronic pain flare-ups
Fatigue or exhaustion
Identity Symptoms:
Loss of a sense of self (not knowing who you are without the religion)
Difficulty making decisions without external moral frameworks
Feeling spiritually disconnected or lost
These symptoms can be overwhelming and they are often misunderstood, even by well-meaning friends or therapists. That is why working with a therapist who is trauma-informed and familiar with religious trauma or deconstruction can make a significant difference.
Therapy for A Faith Crisis
Therapy can be a powerful tool during or after a faith crisis. You do not need to rush to find a new set of beliefs. In our work together, we might explore:
Grief work for the losses involved
Identity rebuilding without rigid belief systems
Parts work and inner child healing for wounds from religious trauma
Boundaries with family or faith communities
Meaning-making that aligns with your values
Somatic or EMDR therapy for trauma stored in the body
A faith crisis is often a sign of growth, not collapse. It might hurt, but you do not have to stay stuck in the pain.
I specialize in working with people navigating religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and faith transitions. Whether you are questioning your current religious faith, have left a faith community recently or 20+ years ago, I strive to offer a safe, judgment-free space to process, grieve, and rebuild.
