Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Spearing.
Hi Katherine, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Two statements that describe my early life are, “I grew up in a cult” and “I did my first two years of college in secret.” After obtaining that illicit college degree (a BA in English), I went on to earn my Master’s in Religion and Cultures—but only after carrying out an escape plan to leave the cult and taking an extended detour to help plant a church in Mexico.
One master’s degree and five church staff positions later, I found myself working for a church on the West Coast, where I discovered a dark side of church culture that eerily resembled the cult I had escaped. After leaving that church, I founded Tears of Eden, a nonprofit supporting survivors of spiritual abuse. I also produced and hosted its groundbreaking affiliate podcast, Uncertain, which helped pioneer pivotal conversations around spiritual abuse and has since been quoted in scholarly articles, seminary papers, and PhD dissertations.
While working daily with survivors, I became a certified Trauma Recovery Coach and now practice through the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. I’ve appeared on numerous podcasts and spoken at various events and retreats. I’ve also written several nonfiction articles, including a piece for CBE International titled “Are We Continuing to Sideline Women in Conversations About Abuse?” which was listed among their Top 10 articles of 2022.
My greatest writing achievements so far are my novel Hartfords (León Publishing, 2021), a romantic comedy that challenges gender roles in a patriarchal society, and my latest book, A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts: The Subtle, Insidious Nature of Spiritual Abuse and Life on the Other Side (Lake Drive Book, 2025). I write regularly at katherinespearing.com, and my most active social media presence is on Instagram @ katherinespearing
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After living most of my life in patriarchal spaces that told me I shouldn’t and couldn’t pursue higher education or a career because I was a woman, one of my first steps in recovery was working with a career coach to learn how to write a resume, network, and interview. To this day, I believe this is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
During graduate school, I was fortunate to access therapy for free through the interns at the school’s counseling center. While the care was validating, I quickly realized I needed assistance from someone with more training in understanding the dynamics of abuse I experienced. I began seeing a trauma therapist (though I didn’t even know what that was at the time) and discovered somatic experiencing, mindfulness, grounding, and the art of listening to our bodies and emotions.
Five years later, I found myself working for a church on the west coast, where I uncovered a dark side that eerily resembled the cult I escaped in my 20s. While I work with other survivors now, I continue my own healing journey. I am also a published author of a historical romantic comedy, Hartfords, which subtly and humorously challenges gender roles in patriarchal spaces. Writing, especially fiction, is cathartic and life-giving for me. I perform regularly with a local improv theater team and coach improv workshops, which serve as a fantastic outlet for releasing tension and embracing fun! I love to incorporate art and creativity into my work with clients as they feel comfortable, as I believe it can be a wonderful part of the healing process.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After leaving a staff position at an abusive church, I went on to start Tears of Eden, a nonprofit supporting survivors of Spiritual Abuse, hosting its affiliate podcast Uncertain, which has been cited in scholarly articles, seminary papers, and PhD dissertations. While working daily with survivors, I obtained certifications in Trauma Recovery Coaching and EMDR Interventions and Techniques. I integrate both Somatic Therapy Skills and Art Therapy Skills for trauma recovery. This experience has equipped me to write a book about Spiritual Abuse titled A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts: The Subtle Insidious Nature of Spiritual Abuse and Life on the Other Side, that released on October 14, 2025.
While I work with other survivors, I continue my own healing journey. I am also a published author of a historical romantic comedy, Hartfords, which subtly and humorously challenges gender roles in patriarchal spaces. Writing, especially fiction, is cathartic and life-giving for me. I perform regularly with a local improv theater team and coach improv workshops, which serve as a fantastic outlet for releasing tension and embracing fun! I love to incorporate art and creativity into my work with clients as they feel comfortable, as I believe it can be a wonderful part of the healing process.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Most of what I’ve learned about spiritual abuse and religious trauma has come from my own experience and listening to the experience of others. Laura Anderson, PhD, author of When Religion Hurts you, Connie Baker, author of Traumatized by Religious Abuse, and Cait West, author of Rift, are folks I have learned the most from professionally around the subject of religious trauma and spiritual abuse.
I’ve created a lot of my own resources through Tears of Eden and the Uncertain Podcast. As this allows me avenues to speak with other artists, survivors, and professionals in this space.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katherinespearing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherinespearing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spearingkatherine
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-spearing-2a699393/
- Other: https://www.tearsofeden.org/
