Today we’d like to introduce you to Camden Morgante.
Hi Camden, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I went straight through undergrad and graduate school to earn my doctorate in psychology at age 27! I settled in Knoxville after that and worked in community mental health for a few years, then a college counseling center, then I was a college professor for three years, then a group private practice, to finally my own private practice in 2023. The last few years, I began also writing online, speaking on podcasts, and creating content on social media with the goal of publishing a book. Last year, my first book, Recovering from Purity Culture, released. My work now is about 60% therapy clients in my private practice and 40% writing, coaching, and speaking. I have centered my work on relationships, trauma, spirituality, and sexuality, particularly serving women and couples who are experiencing religious-based shame and trauma.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Everyone has some struggles. A big set-back in my career was in 2020 when the pandemic hit, I was laid off from my job as a college professor. That had been my dream job, so I was devastated, but pivoted back to clinical work as I had originally done. Finally starting my own practice in 2023 as well as writing and publishing my book are also dreams-come-true for me. It was a long road to get here. I did not realize that to traditionally publish a book (as opposed to self-publishing), I would have to have social media followers! I had to learn a new skill set in marketing, copywriting, and even graphic design over the last few years to grow my online audience. But I am proud of the work I get to do. I enjoy using the privilege of my education as a psychologist to help others find healing–whether that’s in my therapy office, online on my Substack or social media, or through my public speaking.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize and am known for my expertise in the areas of religious trauma, spiritual abuse, faith deconstruction, and purity culture, which is religious sexual shame. Not many therapists have specialization in the integration of faith and psychology, or the harmful effects of religion. I particularly speak to people who want to hold onto their faith or spirituality in some capacity while healing from the negative effects of religious trauma. It’s a both/and perspective of keeping what is meaningful and true to you while letting go of what is harmful and false. I am most proud of being able to do the many different jobs I do while also being a present and involved mom to my two young kids.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drcamden.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/drcamden
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drcamden
- Other: https://drcamden.substack.com
