Licensing agency finds religious trauma coach in violation of Code of Ethics

This article originally appeared at Baptist News Global on July 28, 2025.

One of the best-known therapists and coaches working with people suffering religious trauma has been sanctioned by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists for violating the group’s Code of Ethics on boundaries.

In a letter dated July 25, Laura Anderson was informed by the AAMFT Ethics Committee that it had dropped two of four charges against her but found her in violation of the other two. BNG also has learned a new case against Anderson is now pending before the Ethics Committee.

Anderson is the author of When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High-Control Religion. She has appeared on at least 75 deconstruction-related podcasts in progressive Christianity or the ex-evangelical space. And she played a key role in the controversy that embroiled Tim Whitaker and The New Evangelicals last spring.

Laura Anderson

Seven women who claim they have been victimized by Anderson have given exclusive interviews to BNG.

For her part, Anderson told BNG the reasons for the AAMFT sanctions are “not uncommon” among therapists.

Because AAMFT’s Ethics Committee considers cases once a year and typically does not make its findings public, there is no way to know how common any such sanctions are among licensed therapists.

The charges

The letter from the AAMFT Ethics Committee says Anderson was found in violation of two substandards of the Code of Ethics:

One of those states: “Marriage and family therapists who are in a supervisory role are aware of their influential positions with respect to students and supervisees, and they avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons. Therapists, therefore, make every effort to avoid conditions and multiple relationships that could impair professional objectivity or increase the risk of exploitation. When the risk of impairment or exploitation exists due to conditions or multiple roles, therapists take appropriate precautions.”

The other states: “Marriage and family therapists are aware of their influential positions with respect to supervisees, and they avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of such persons. Supervisors, therefore, make every effort to avoid conditions and multiple relationships with supervisees that could impair professional judgment or increase the risk of exploitation. Examples of such relationships include, but are not limited to, business or close personal relationships with supervisees or the supervisee’s immediate family. When the risk of impairment or exploitation exists due to conditions or multiple roles, supervisors document the appropriate precautions taken.”

Because of her violations, Anderson will be required to complete nine hours of continuing education “approved by the chair which must focus on the following areas: ethics in supervision and multiple relationships with supervisees.”

Failure to complete this continuing education will lead to “further possible violations.”

Continue reading at Baptist News Global.