As a psychologist specializing in religious trauma, I often analyze films like Women Talking through the lens of trauma. The Women Talking movie provides a profound portrayal of religious trauma, and it’s crucial for clinicians to recognize how these dynamics appear in media like this. Understanding these themes helps us offer more effective, trauma-informed care for clients recovering from religious trauma.

Let’s explore the major religious trauma themes in Women Talking (trigger warning: sexual assault).

Premise of the Film Women Talking

In the movie Women Talking, the narrative centers around a religious group living on the fringes of society, isolated from modern conveniences. Early in the film, a crisis emerges when the men of the community leave to address an accusation of sexual assault. Left behind, the women must vote—a first for them—on how to move forward. They face three choices:

1. Do nothing
2. Stay and try to change the community
3. Leave

This discussion, the essence of the movie Women Talking, explores their lived experiences and the emotional weight of the decision. As clinicians, it’s important to recognize how this setup mirrors the real-life decisions faced by individuals leaving religious or high-control groups.

Deconstruction in Women Talking

One of the most prominent themes in the movie Women Talking is deconstruction. This process involves critically examining religious beliefs, traditions, and structures to determine whether they still serve a positive purpose. I wrote a blog here to explain the 5 stages of deconstruction.

In the film, the women grapple with whether to stay and change or leave. This mirrors the deconstruction process many of our clients experience, where they question their faith and struggle to rebuild their beliefs. The movie Women Talking offers a poignant example of how deconstruction leads to grief, loss, and the difficult realization that all decisions come with sacrifices.

Addressing Power Dynamics in the Movie Women Talking

In Women Talking, the women discuss how boys and men are “great learners” in abusing women under the guise of religious belief. This is a powerful depiction of how abusive power dynamics are perpetuated within religious groups. Clinicians must understand how religious teachings can entrench abusive norms, as seen in the movie Women Talking, and how individuals internalize these behaviors as “normal.” Helping clients recognize this manipulation is key to their recovery from religious trauma.

The Legacy of Religious Trauma in Women Talking

Religious trauma rarely impacts just one generation. In the movie Women Talking, we see how younger generations absorb toxic gender roles and abusive behaviors from their elders. This legacy of trauma continues unless it’s consciously broken. As therapists, it’s our role to help clients identify these generational patterns and work toward healing. The film reminds us to ask: Is the promised “good life” truly accessible to all members? For the women in this community, the answer is no. They are denied education, empowerment, and autonomy, making it clear that religious abuse persists across generations.

What’s Next for Clinicians

For clinicians working with clients who have experienced religious trauma, films like Women Talking can serve as valuable tools for discussion and understanding. This film reflects many of the struggles our clients face: deconstructing beliefs, addressing power imbalances, and healing from a legacy of trauma.

If you’re a therapist, coach, or clinician looking to deepen your understanding of religious trauma, I offer training programs that provide practical tools and insights. These programs teach you how to recognize religious trauma in your clients, how to treat its symptoms, and how to empower clients to heal. Join us for our newest CE course, Religious Trauma in Clinical Settings, to learn the basics of how to assess for religious trauma in your clinical population. If you’re ready to amp up your training, our 12 CE Certification training, A Year of Non-Magical Thinking, is a 12-module training program to help you learn to competently and ethically treat religious trauma in 90 days.