Episode 57: Devout:: A Memoir of Doubt

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*Information shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only.

*Trigger warning for episode and book as the author does share about struggles with mental health.

In this episode of What Your Therapist is Reading, Jessica Fowler is speaking with Anna Gazmarian about her book Devout: A Memoir of Doubt.  Anna shares how traditional views of faith and mental illness can be at odds, and explains how she redefined her spirituality to see God in moments of safety and love.  This conversation dives into themes of spiritual trauma, the intersection of faith and therapy, and the resilience of individuals with mental illness. Anna’s perspective offers hope and insight, showing that thriving with faith and mental illness is possible.

Highlights:

3:29 Anna shares how it was difficult to reconcile her faith with her diagnosis.  She shares how the book chronicles her experience.

5:21: Anna shares what her mental illness is like for her.

7:45: Anna shares how treatment was a miracle for her.

11:26: Anna sharing how she had to redefine what faith was for her.

 

About the author: 

Anna Gazmarian hold an MFA in Creative Writing from the Bennington Writing Seminars. Her essays have been published in The Guardian, The Rumpus, Longreads, The Sun Magazine and Quarterly West.