What Is Spiritual Bypass? (with Dr. Craig Cashwell)

Have you ever met someone who over-spiritualizes everything? In this episode, Dr. Craig Cashwell introduces the concept of spiritual bypass: how spiritual ideas or practices can become a crutch to cope with pain or trauma (just like pornography). Along the way, Craig  unpacks different examples of spiritual bypass, such as toxic positivity, compulsive goodness, and forced forgiveness. We also talk about how emotional/spiritual health is totally different and so much better!

Dr. Craig Cashwell is Professor of Counselor Education and Clinical Mental Health Counseling at William & Mary, and a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Supervisor. You can email him at cscashwell@wm.edu.

Books featuring Dr. Craig Cashwell (these are paid links):
Shadows Of The Cross: A Christian Companion to Facing The Shadow
Integrating Spirituality and Religion Into Counseling.