If you were raised in a purity culture home or religious community, you know and have likely experienced how its rules and unrealistic expectations plant shame, confusion, enforce secrecy, and create a deep disconnect from your body and desires. It fosters an internal sense of shame, holds virginity paramount, and labels sex, masturbation, and expressions of sexuality as wrong, ungodly, and sinful unless it occurs within the specific context of a strictly defined version of hetero-normative marriage with explicitly defined gender roles. Our therapy group acknowledges these struggles and provides a supportive community where you can begin to heal and redefine your sexual narrative.
Reclaimed is a therapist-led support and process group in Chicago for adults who grew up with purity-culture messaging and want a kinder way forward. If shame, rigid gender roles, or “purity” rules have shaped how you see your body, your desires, or your relationships.
Who Reclaimed is for
Our exiting purity culture group provides a compassionate and empowering space for people of any gender, orientation, and faith background who have been impacted by the teachings and pressures of purity culture. This group is designed to help you process your experiences, challenge ingrained beliefs, and foster a healthier, more authentic relationship with both your sexuality and internal belief system. While we will be examining the negative impact of religion and purity culture in our lives, Reclaimed is not an anti-religion group. We understand that everyone’s journey is unique, and we honor each person’s pace and process. Whether you are just beginning to question the tenets of purity culture or have already started to redefine your beliefs, you will find a supportive community here—in-person, right here in our Ravenswood office.
This story isn’t only evangelical
While “purity culture” grew within U.S. evangelicalism, many faiths teach sexual ethics that can be experienced as meaningful or internalized as shame, depending on context and enforcement:
Latter-day Saint teaching describes a Law of Chastity that reserves sexual relations for marriage and extends to thoughts, words, and conduct. The Church of Jesus Christ
Catholic teaching frames chastity as the integration of sexuality with the person and offers extensive formation materials. USCCB
Orthodox/observant Judaism includes practices like shomer negiah (limits on opposite-sex touch outside certain relationships). My Jewish Learning
In Islam, concepts such as ḥayāʾ emphasize modesty as a spiritual virtue. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
Reclaimed is for anyone who has been impacted by purity culture across religions, denominations, and belief systems.
What this group helps you do
Name the impact of purity-culture beliefs on self-worth, boundaries, and intimacy—in language that respects your values.
Untangle internalized shame about personal desires, thoughts, and experiences in childhood and adolescence that became “I am bad” stories
Navigating internal purity messaging that is still present in family and romantic relationships
Reclaim agency after years of modesty rules, double standards, or thought-policing
Build a destigmatized sexual ethic aligned with consent, sexual identity, and your own values
Rewrite internal narratives so your choices come from consent, compassion, and clarity, not fear or performance.
Reconnect with your body and its signals of fear, numbness, shame and consent so “yes,” “no,” and “not yet” are felt, speakable, and respected.
Practice real-world skills for dating, sex, long-term relationships, and relationships with family members who still adhere to purity culture standards. Learn better communication, pacing, repair, and mutual care.
What we’ll explore together
The many ways purity culture isn’t just about sex. It’s about how it shaped belonging, modesty, gender expectations, and thought-policing
How internalized shame narrows self-concept and choice, and how to build a kinder inner voice
Consent and pacing that match your nervous system today
Communication tools for naming preferences, asking for what you want, and repairing when things go sideways
How to keep what nourishes your faith and release what hurts
Your facilitator
Reclaimed is led by practice founder Jeremiah Bergen, MS, LCPC. Jeremiah has over 20 years of experience providing therapy to individuals and couples in Chicago. He also has personal, first-hand experience with purity culture having grown up in fundamentalist, evangelical denomination of Christianity called Assembly of God church. The idea for this group was born from hearing clients who grew up in purity culture environments express similar trauma, shame and negative associations with sex and their bodies that had lasting psychological, emotional, and relational impacts on their lives. These stories, along with his own personal experiences with purity culture, led to a realization that there are an entire generation of people who have been impacted by this belief system and are still struggling with its impact on their lives but often remain silent out of shame or fear of losing relationships with their families. Jeremiah wanted to create a space to share those stories in a safe environment and create connection and community.
What to expect in Reclaimed
- Format, Time & Cost: Therapist-facilitated, 8 week process group. Tuesdays @7-8:30pm, $50 per session (Insurance may cover)
Approach: Warm, skills-based, trauma-responsive; paced to fit you
Focus areas: Internalized shame, body reconnection, boundaries & consent, relationship communication, and rewriting gender scripts
Tone: Not anti-religion. We honor faith and values while examining and separating messages that harm from the positive aspects of those experiences.
Ready to reclaim your voice and values?
Start now: Complete the contact form below to request more information and to schedule a free 15 minute phone call to see if the group is right for you and sign-up for our next session
Individual and Couples Counseling: Feel 1:1 therapy or couples counseling is a better fit for your needs? Visit our scheduling page to schedule your first session or free 15 minute phone consultation.
Have questions? Visit our FAQ page
Why Chicago clients choose Bergen Counseling Collective
Local, accessible care. In-person sessions at our Ravenswood office with easy access from Andersonville, Lincoln Square, and Uptown; HIPAA-compliant telehealth across Illinois. Explore our full team on the Our Therapists page.
Inclusive and culturally responsive. Read about our mission and commitment to diversity & inclusion.
Clear next steps. When you’re ready, book your first session or free 15 minute consultation via our scheduling page
Frequently Asked Questions
What is purity culture group therapy?
A supportive group exploring how purity culture affects relationships, sexuality, and self-worth. We focus on consent, boundaries, and reclaiming values.
Who is a good fit for the group?
Adults processing religious or cultural messages about sexuality who want a compassionate space to heal. We welcome diverse identities and experiences.
What happens in sessions?
Sessions include education, discussion, and skills practice. Members set personal goals, share at their own pace, and practice boundary language.
Is the group confidential?
Yes. Members agree to confidentiality and clear guidelines. We review safety, consent, and options if topics feel activating.
Can I join if I’m unsure about my beliefs?
Absolutely. The group is values-neutral and centers your autonomy. You choose what to explore and define healing for yourself.
Do you offer individual therapy alongside the group?
Yes. Many find individual sessions deepen progress between group meetings. We coordinate goals and timing with you.