Why Deconstruction is an Essential Part of Complex Trauma Recovery (with New Introduction)

Becoming Me

Becoming Me
Why Deconstruction is an Essential Part of Complex Trauma Recovery (with New Introduction)
Mar 23, 2026 Season 12 Episode 168
Ann Yeong

Episode 168


In this re-sharing of a Season 10 episode, I explore why deconstruction is a necessary part of healing from complex trauma — especially for people of faith.

I define deconstruction as questioning assumptions we've never questioned before and opening up to new possibilities. I share three zones where I've experienced this:

1. Self-Identity — Differentiating between the survival "Role Self" I built to be accepted and my true "Core Self" that had been buried.

2. Familial & Cultural Values — Recognising how traditions and values handed down through my family facilitated harm and kept me silent.

3. Faith — Wrestling with the growing gap between who God revealed Himself to be in my healing journey and the God of my religious upbringing.

I also discuss why healing requires more than religious or doctrinal belief — it demands a deep, existential trust that we are held by a love greater than ourselves.

I close with reflection questions to help you identify where deconstruction may be showing up in your own journey. You don't need answers — just acknowledging the questions is powerful.

Watch this recording on YouTube.

CHAPTER MARKERS
0:00 Introduction
4:08 Defining Deconstruction
5:53 Defining Deconstruction
10:11 3 Zones of Deconstruction
12:07 1. Self-Identity Deconstruction
18:43 2. Familial and Cultural Values Deconstruction
24:07 3. Faith and Religious Deconstruction
39:01 Existential Faith vs Religious or Doctrinal Assent
46:34 Questions for Pondering and Conclusion

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Episode Artwork Why Deconstruction is an Essential Part of Complex Trauma Recovery (with New Introduction) 51:04 Episode Artwork Deconstruction as Differentiation and Individuation 55:28 Episode Artwork Tasting the Fruit of Healing from Emotionally Immature Parents 9:50 Episode Artwork Deconstructing: 'God' vs 'Christianity / Catholicism' 47:40 Episode Artwork How Moral Injury Can Lead to Deconstruction 55:10 Episode Artwork Why It's So Hard to Explain Deconstruction 1:04:42 Episode Artwork Deconstruction: A Trauma-Informed, Integrative and First-Hand Perspective 1:04:24 Episode Artwork Grappling with Spiritual Abuse and Trauma in the “DNA” of the Catholic Church 57:01 Episode Artwork Reconsidering Holiness: Saints, Trauma, and Spiritual Abuse 47:16 Episode Artwork When Enmeshment Trauma Becomes Spiritually Abusive 36:34 Episode Artwork Healing and Repenting from Abuse of Conscience 55:07 Episode Artwork Using Power and Influence in Non-Spiritually Abusive Ways 37:26 Episode Artwork How Culture, Disembodied Faith and Trauma Facilitate Spiritual Abuse 56:00 Episode Artwork Spiritual Abuse in Evangelisation and Discipleship (with Paul Fahey) 1:36:15 Episode Artwork Season 10 Wrap-up: Insights & Updates 23:00 Episode Artwork Embraced by the Heart of God the Father (with Isaac Wicker) 1:33:32 Episode Artwork How Pope Francis Kept My Heart Open to the Catholic Church (When I Was Deconstructing) 1:21:41 Episode Artwork Navigating Holy Week Through Spiritual Trauma and Healing 37:58 Episode Artwork Reclaiming Our Dignity: Healing from Spiritual Abuse (with Paul Fahey) 1:45:18 Episode Artwork Five Reasons Why Catholic / Christian Trauma Survivors Struggle with Healing 38:00 Episode Artwork What Do We Do When the Healing Journey Overwhelms Us? 35:36 Episode Artwork "They Did Their Best" Can Harm More Than Help 30:55 Episode Artwork Why Deconstruction is an Essential Part of Complex Trauma Recovery 46:55 Episode Artwork Experiencing Setbacks in our Healing from Complex Trauma 24:33 Episode Artwork When You Harm Others In Spite of Your Best Intentions 33:32