You Lied to Me About God

"Dr. Marich takes us on the pages of her own journey...encouraging us to embrace our own stories in the hopes of finding the healing that we deserve."

—Alyson Stoner Mental Health Advocate, Actor, and Founder of Movement Genius

“A generous act of transparency, humility, and loving care. Covering sacred ground such as abuse, trauma, and sexuality, Dr. Jamie Marich reflects the truth that ‘everything belongs.’”

—Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE, OblSB, online abbess at Abbey of the Arts and author

"You Lied to Me About God is more than a memoir; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a courageous invitation to rediscover the power within us all to tell and live our truth.”

—Dr. Mark Karris, author of The Diabolical Trinity

“Jamie's transparency, bravery, and vulnerability is only succeeded by her incredible prowess to tell a story that will resonate with so many readers. This is not only a memoir about finding freedom from religious indoctrination, but about the healing power of the family you create; the one that finds you and teaches you that you are enough just as you are.”

—Erica Hornthal, LCPC, BC-DMT, author of Body Aware

“With her honesty and vulnerability, Jamie put ointment on my wound and invited me on a journey of healing with her. All I could think of while reading this book is, this is holy ground.”

—Mihael Sečen, host of the Priceless Podcast, powered by the European Forum of LGBTI+ Christian Groups

“Marich’s vulnerability comes through as they share stories of love, loss, faith and finding their voice as an advocate for mental health and the LGBTQIA+ community.”

—Stephanie Warren, The Exvangelical Xennial 

“Dr. Marich documents the wide-reaching effects of spiritual abuse by analyzing her own experience as a survivor in the rhetorical framework of her expertise as a clinical trauma specialist. This book helped me name my experience, and that naming will lead to healing and recovery. My only regret is that this book was not written years ago.”

—J. Aaron Sanders, award-winning author and filmmaker

“An incredibly brave and honest memoir of growing up as a highly sensitive, queer child in a mixed Catholic and Evangelical household. Jamie vulnerably shares her journey through substance abuse, offering readers a glimpse into the pain she sought to numb. This is ultimately a story of found family and healing.”

—Emely Rumble, LCSW, founder of Literapy_NYC and Bibliotherapy in the Bronx

" I highly recommend this book to therapists, pastoral counselors, clergy, and anyone struggling to heal their relationship to their spiritual self and history.”

—Susan Pease Banitt, author of The Trauma Tool Kit

"By sharing this deeply personal journey, Marich invites you to explore and express right alongside them. This memoir is an invitation to find the divine within you."

—Juliane Taylor Shore, LMFT, author of Setting Boundaries that Stick

“A courageous investment of vulnerability that I anticipate will resonate deeply with folks navigating their own religious trauma and spiritual abuse narratives, as well as folks holding sacred space in healing containers with survivors. Jamie offers personal anecdotes which highlight more universal patterns of spiritual abuse and the abundance of contexts and cultures where high power and control dynamics may prevail."

—Kayla Felten, LICSW, cofounder of Reclamation Collective

"Beyond the confines of a fundamentalist religious upbringing, this book is a testament to Jamie's resilience and self-discovery, inspiring readers to find their true selves and embrace the transformative power of authenticity.”

—Rotem Brayer, LPC, founder of the EMDR Learning Community and author of The Art and Science of EMDR

“Jamie’s story is one of incredible courage and determination to not let trauma hold you back from being who you truly are. Her vulnerability is equally inspiring as is her journey from shame to grace. Profoundly insightful and a must-read for survivors of spiritual abuse and those living with dissociative identities.”

—Dylan Crumpler, award-winning director of Petals of a Rose

 The vulnerability and insight that [Marich] bravely shares is the kind of clinical voice we need to hear more of in our current times, especially in the psychotherapeutic field of dissociation.”

—Katie Keech, MFT, Sister Freda Desire of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

 "This is the story of a faith that has been tested in fire and turned into something deeper and more meaningful by the journey. “

—Rev. John Michael Thornton, cofounder of The Great Conjunction Spiritual Center