UNDERSTANDING SPIRITUAL ABUSE
What It Is and How to Respond
Karen Roudkovski
Brentwood, Tennessee
Understanding Spiritual Abuse: What It Is and How to Respond
Copyright © 2024 by Karen Roudkovski
Published by B&H Academic®
Brentwood, Tennessee
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4300-8369-6
Dewey Decimal Classification: 253.5
Subject Heading: CHRISTIANITY--PSYCHOLOGY \ SPIRITUALITY \ SPIRITUAL LIFE
Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
The web addresses referenced in this book were live and correct at the time of the book’s publication but may be subject to change.
Cover design by Emily Keafer Lambright. Cover illustration by Larisa Rusina/iStock.
Printed in the United States of America
29 28 27 26 25 24 VP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Table of Contents
Chapter 2: Spiritual Abuse Assessment
Chapter 7: Treatment Considerations
Chapter 8: Safe Spiritual Communities
“Dr. Roudkovski has done the helping professions a great service by writing this clear, comprehensive, and compassionate book. She treats the topic of spiritual abuse with the importance it deserves. This book is a must read for every pastor, counselor, or religious leader, as well as anyone who suspects they have suffered from spiritual abuse.”
—Tate Cockrell, professor of counseling and director of DMin and EdD studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Dr. Roudkovski illuminates the topic of spiritual abuse in this thought-provoking text. She effectively explains the entanglement between spiritual authority and abusive grooming behaviors and provides tangible steps to address and prevent spiritual abuse in a variety of settings. This is a great resource!”
—Lisa Compton, associate professor, Regent University School of Psychology and Counseling
“This insightful volume is most relevant for Christians to understand how positional leadership can be a slippery slope that leads to authoritarianism and manipulation, even in the church. In clear and concise terms, Roudkovski defines spiritual abuse and provides assessment tools to identify it. She contrasts the patterns of spiritual abuse, which is condemned in the Scripture, with the humble and servant spirit of Christ. She presents the biblical solutions to prevent and mitigate such conduct. Every leader and every follower in every church would benefit greatly from this informative and practical book.”
—Steven F. Echols, president, Brewton-Parker College
“A copy of this book should be on the desk of every pastor and all church leaders. It is loaded with insight and practical information in an area too long neglected. This book is desperately needed in the religious community. ...
|
About Understanding Spiritual Abuse: What It Is and How to RespondSpiritual abuse is a widespread—and often misunderstood—issue. Church leaders may not understand how spiritual abuse manifests and spreads; meanwhile, the impact of spiritual abuse can be devastating to victims, damaging their relationships with themselves, the church, and God.
In Understanding Spiritual Abuse: What It Is and How to Respond, professor and licensed counselor Karen Roudkovski offers wisdom, clarity, and hope for those seeking to understand the nature of spiritual abuse and how to heal. Based on her extensive research and clinical experience, Roudkovski explains:
What spiritual abuse is, how the term arose, and what makes it distinct
Methods for assessing whether spiritual abuse has occurred, including instructions for the Spiritual Abuse Assessment
The tactics of spiritual abusers, including control, grooming, deception, and lack of accountability
The trauma of spiritual abuse, encompassing spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational harm
Suggestions for spiritual abuse recovery for therapists, survivors, and helpers
Recommendations for how churches can establish spiritually safe communities
Roudkovski’s Understanding Spiritual Abuse is an essential resource for survivors, church leaders, and mental health professionals. Roudkovski provides a counseling overview of the topic while practically guiding leaders to create safe and supportive environments for victims to recover and rebuild from spiritual abuse and its devastating impact. |
| Support Info | ndrstndngsrspnd |