How do practitioners know if they are ready to hold clients navigating religious trauma and loss of identity?
Religious deconstruction can bring more than a shift in belief. It can unsettle identity, safety, community, and a person’s sense of direction. In this episode of the Professional Practice Series, host Shunda Jenkins sits down with Heather Zimmerman to explore what practitioner readiness really means when working within this level of complexity. Together, they examine the realities of supporting clients experiencing grief, confusion, and disorientation as familiar structures begin to fall away.
The conversation highlights the difference between natural questioning and deeper destabilisation, and how practitioners can recognise what is unfolding without stepping into assumption or overreach. A central focus of this episode is internal readiness. Shunda and Heather discuss the importance of emotional regulation, nervous system awareness, and clear ethical boundaries when holding this work.
They explore what it means to remain present without rushing clients toward clarity, and how to sit with uncertainty without trying to resolve it prematurely. Rather than positioning readiness as expertise or having answers, this episode reframes it as capacity. It offers grounded insight into how practitioners can assess their limits, pace the work responsibly, and recognise when additional support or referral is needed. The focus remains on creating a steady environment where clients can begin to rebuild identity and self-trust in a way that is sustainable.
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Heather Zimmerman is the founder of Divine Ascension Co., where she integrates behavioural psychology and spiritual practice to support individuals navigating awakening and personal change. With a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Penn State and a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from National University, she brings over 20 years of experience across behavioural health, service, and leadership environments.
Her work is informed by both clinical training and intuitive practice, including energy work, Akashic Records, and inner child work. She focuses on supporting empaths and highly sensitive individuals in developing grounded, practical integration rather than surface-level understanding. Through her sessions, programs, and podcast, she brings a structured and accessible approach to complex inner work.
Shunda Jenkins is a holistic practitioner certified in sound, meditation, energy healing modalities, and breathwork techniques. She has been studying holistic practices since 2010, when she began her own healing journey. As the owner of Bloom Wellness Studio LLC, Shunda takes a holistic approach to healing, recognising that the body is layered — physical, emotional, energetic, and spiritual. She believes that with the right tools, individuals can cultivate self-healing, balance, and sustainable wellbeing.
The Professional Practice Series is a Critical Mass offering focused on the practical, ethical, and relational realities of building a sustainable healing practice. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experienced practitioners and professionals, offering grounded insight into boundaries, communication, integrity, and long-term practice development.
