By: Casey Brooks

“What happens when religious trauma collides with sexual empowerment?” That opening question from The Sex Reimagined podcast set the tone for an honest and thoughtful conversation with therapist and author Ann Russo. Her work centers on faith-based harm, queer identity, and helping people understand themselves with more clarity. She draws from her MA in Theology, her lived experience, and her long commitment to social justice to support LGBTQIA+ communities and train mental health providers in affirming, trauma-informed care.

Growing Up Queer in a Household Forced Into Silence

Ann’s story adds depth to her clinical perspective. “I was raised in a household that was very polyamorous, actually,” she said. Relationships were openly discussed, but she often understood them “through the eyes of men, not really through the eyes of women.”

Outside the home, everything was different. “We were not allowed to talk about it… We had to act like we were a heteronormative family,” she said. Fear shaped those years. Ann remembered how overwhelming it felt the first time she tried to speak honestly about her life. Her body shook. She cried. Silence had been the rule for so long that saying the truth out loud felt dangerous.

These experiences helped form her understanding of what it means to live with secrecy and stigma, and why many people still struggle to feel safe in their own identity.

Helping Clients Understand Relationship Structures That Fit Their Lives

A large portion of Ann’s clients come in unsure of what kind of relationship structure feels right for them. Many share similar fears: “feeling like something’s wrong with them that they want this,” or confusion about “how the heck do I actually do this and have it work?”

Ann explained that some people become “physically and mentally unwell” when they try to fit into expectations that do not match who they are. She invites clients to slow down, look at their values, and understand what they truly need in a relationship. Her work is not about directing people toward a specific model. It is about helping them communicate clearly and build agreements rooted in care, honesty, and self-knowledge.

How High-Control Faith Settings Impact Mental Health

Ann also works with people who have experienced harm in high-control faith environments. She emphasized that she is not pointing to any one religion. Instead, she focuses on specific communities or sects where autonomy is limited and questioning leadership is discouraged. Some clients fear spiritual punishment or rejection from family if they step outside expected roles.

Ann meets clients wherever they are. Some want distance from their faith community. Others want to remain connected but need support with fear-based thinking or compulsive religious behavior. Ann’s approach is grounded in respect. Her goal is to help people rebuild a sense of self while honoring whatever spiritual connection they choose to keep.

Her upcoming book with PESI outlines a treatment model for people who have been affected by high-control faith systems. It offers guidance for therapists who work with clients seeking clarity, stability, and a more grounded relationship with faith.

Building Inclusive Care Through AMR Therapy

Ann is the Founder and Clinical Director of AMR Therapy, a practice of 15 therapists who work with queer clients, people in diverse relationship structures, BIPOC communities, and others who often feel overlooked in traditional therapy settings. She shared that her team focuses on “folks that don’t really feel like they’re being served.”

Her commitment to this work comes from her own life. Growing up in secrecy and fear gave her a clear understanding of how much support matters. Today, she blends theology, clinical training, and advocacy to create spaces where people can feel seen, respected, and understood.

You can reach out to her via the links on her website or click here to subscribe to her newsletter.

Disclaimer: The information provided is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. Readers seeking guidance on matters related to mental health, faith-based trauma, or gender and sexual identity are encouraged to consult a licensed therapist or healthcare professional for tailored support. While the content offers valuable perspectives on personal healing and self-discovery, it may not be applicable to every individual’s circumstances.