By: Anthony Mercer

Author, psychotherapist, and mental health advocate Ann Russo is no stranger to breaking barriers. Her appearance on the Introducing Me podcast with host Sarah Porell offered a window into her journey of advocacy, her work in religious trauma, and the empathy that drives her mission to support marginalized communities — particularly those in the LGBTQ+ space.

Advocating for Marginalized Communities

Ann’s upbringing in a queer household during the 80s and 90s shaped her understanding of social justice. “I saw firsthand a lot of discrimination, a lot of pain and harm being caused to queer people,” she shared.

Witnessing this discrimination, often stemming from religious beliefs, ignited her passion for creating safe spaces for marginalized communities.

This passion has served her well as, over the past decade, Ann has expanded her private practice into AMR Therapy — a virtual agency with 15 therapists serving nearly 400 active clients. Her team specializes in working with marginalized groups, including queer individuals, non-monogamous relationships, and those grappling with religious trauma. 

“We focus on affordable care, ensuring accessibility without compromising the well-being of our therapists,” she explained. 

Navigating the Intersection of Faith and Queerness

Ann revealed that her deep dive into conservative Christianity began unexpectedly. 

“To be perfectly vulnerable, it all started with a girl,” she said. She recalled how this girl was, perhaps, the catalyst that sparked her initial curiosity, leading her to seek an understanding of Christian doctrines that conflicted with her identity. 

This experience led her to pursue a master’s degree in theology, where she explored the intersection of queerness and Christianity.

Through this journey, Ann gained empathy for those within conservative religious circles, despite the harm many of their doctrines perpetuate. “I didn’t believe I was sinful or that something was wrong with me. So I could approach these spaces more objectively,” she said. 

This perspective allowed her to challenge harmful narratives while advocating for understanding.

Religious Trauma: A Prevalent Yet Overlooked Issue

Ann’s work frequently addresses religious trauma, a pervasive issue that extends beyond the LGBTQ+ community. 

Religious trauma, as she explained it, “seeps into so many aspects of people’s lives.”

“I see it in shame around sexuality, purity culture, and even fears of hell,” she said. Their discussion on this further emphasized the importance of creating spaces where individuals can process these experiences safely and without judgment.

Ann’s approach to therapy is client-centered, meeting individuals where they are in their journeys. “It’s not my job to move someone away from their faith,” Ann stated. “But to help them understand their values, morals, and perspectives.”

Ann believes that this individualized approach ensures that each client feels supported, regardless of their relationship with religion.

The Power of Empathy in Advocacy

Throughout the conversation, Ann made sure to highlight the role of empathy in her work.

“Empathy doesn’t excuse harmful behavior or mean having no boundaries,” she clarified. “It’s about understanding why people are the way they are without carrying hate within yourself.” 

This perspective allows Ann to engage with individuals from all walks of life, including those with opposing views, fostering understanding and connection.

Ann’s advocacy extends beyond the therapy room. Her book on religious trauma, currently in progress, aims to fill a gap in mental health resources for practitioners. By providing evidence-based tools and insights, Ann hopes to empower other therapists to address the nuanced challenges of religious trauma.

Building Bridges Through Authenticity

Ann also believes that her ability to connect with others stems from her authenticity. 

“The way we change people isn’t by arguing with them,” she said. “It’s by showing up as ourselves and challenging stereotypes.” 

Her experiences, from engaging with conservative Christians to speaking with members of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, reflect her commitment to learning and building empathy.

This authenticity also informs her work as an educator. 

Ann recently became an approved provider of continuing education for mental health professionals, developing courses on religious trauma and its intersections with queerness. “There’s a lot of passion among providers to work with marginalized communities, but they often lack the resources,” she noted. “I’ve designed my trainings to bridge that gap.”

A Message of Hope and Inclusion

For Ann, advocacy is about more than addressing trauma—it’s about fostering connection and inclusion. “I hope people realize that they don’t have to live in their trauma,” she said. “There are ways to have corrective experiences and move forward.”

Her message to those seeking therapy is one of encouragement: “If you’ve had a bad experience with therapy or felt unheard, don’t be afraid to try again. We’re here to support you.”

Through her work, Ann Russo continues to shine as a beacon of hope for marginalized communities, creating a path toward healing, empathy, and understanding. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have by embracing authenticity and advocating for change.

You can listen to Ann’s full episode on the podcast here. Feel free to reach out to her via the links on her website or click here to subscribe to her newsletter. 

Published by Iris S.