Isolated but Not Alone

The Isolated but Not Alone podcast features James Rains and guests as they bring mental health awareness to rural and isolated communities through a unique combination of psychology and theology. Through engagement with these communities through questions submitted by listeners, stories, interviews, and conversations, James seeks to dive into the deep places of the heart and mind that are not readily addressed in society, especially in communities that do not have access to these and other mental health resources that are often readily available in larger urban communities. Join him and his guests as they seek to teach, inform, and gain knowledge from these rural and isolated communities as well as mental health communities at large as they engage with this podcast. James Rains is a mental health advocate, mental health practitioner, avid storyteller, and lecturer! For nearly two decades, he has been writing and telling stories that captivate audiences of all ages and lecturing on a variety of topics including law enforcement, NASA, education, business, addiction, and mental health. James holds a bachelor’s degree in religion, a master’s degree in education, an education specialist degree, and a master's degree in Adlerian Counseling and Psychotherapy focusing on marriage and family therapy. In addition to these degrees, James had completed graduate work in modern educational techniques and business administration. He currently runs a small private practice, Harvest Counseling Services, in a rural community. He spends his free time writing, reading, collecting retro video game systems and games, traveling, and hanging with his wife, Sarah, his children, Celeste and Cora, and his dog, Horace.Intro/Outro music & Transition Sounds, ambient-atmospheric-4947 found at https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2021/06/07/audio_cdfb955189.mp3?filename=ambient-atmospheric-4947.mp3National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (800) 273-8255National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673Crisis Text Line - Text “MN” to 741741Call 911 for emergencyThis and other content produced by James Rains is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this podcast creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please seek help from your therapist or seek help from one in your area if you are experiencing any mental health concerns. Nothing should be construed to be specific advice. It is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

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Isolated but Not Alone

Isolated but Not Alone: Spiritual Grooming Part 8

May 17, 2022 • James Rains

On today's episode, I'm continuing my discussion on a current situation that is having a profound impact on me that has all kinds of intersectionality within the rural and isolated communities in which I have interaction and reside. The topics are the difficult and complex issues of spiritual grooming and spiritual abuse, which I believe often leads to sexual abuse but not always. Spiritual grooming has become an epidemic in evangelical communities and is often subtle affecting children and adults. It is subtle because it uses our spirituality against us, and causes us to distrust ourselves and our buddies in order to trust others who claim that what they are saying comes from God.

On this week's episode, I'm going continue discussing the profound impacts of spiritual grooming and spiritual abuse. I add to the definition of spiritual abuse as well as discuss how it may look practically inside and outside of religious institutions. I also discuss a social media post that was sent to me that was a perfect example of spiritual abuse.

Here is a link to Allender Center podcast on spiritual abuse, https://theallendercenter.org/2022/05/revisiting-spiritual-abuse/ and here is a link to their website where you can find all kinds of content on spiritual abuse, https://theallendercenter.org

This is a revisitation of their original podcast series.

I want to caution listeners that this content is passionate, and my feel a little different than my normal content. Please listen to the preface for this topic where I explain why I choose to do these episodes, why they are so passionate, and a disclaimer that I do not want to disparage anyone from their religious values or their spirituality. I simply want to bring to light what I see as a major problem within evangelical churches especially in rural and isolate communities.

Intro/Outro music & Transition Sounds, ambient-atmospheric-4947, found at https://cdn.pixabay.com/download/audio/2021/06/07/audio_cdfb955189.mp3?filename=ambient-atmospheric-4947.mp3

National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (800) 273-8255

National Domestic Violence Hotline -1 (800) 799-7233

National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1 (800) 656-4673

Crisis Text Line - Text “MN” to 741741

Call 911 for emergency

This and other content produced by James Rains is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this podcast creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please seek help from your therapist or seek help from one in your area if you are experiencing any mental health concerns. Nothing should be construed to be specific advice. It is for educational and entertainment purposes only.