Did you experience harm in a cultic group or relationship?

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Introduction to Cult Recovery

Cult recovery refers to the process of healing and reintegrating individuals who have been involved in cults or high-control groups. This can include addressing psychological trauma, rebuilding self-identity, and re-establishing connections with the outside world.

Is using the "cult" label necessary?

Absolutely not! Even though our website is called People Leave Cults, we have mixed feelings about using the label “cult” as well. It's completely fine if you choose not to use the term “cult” to describe your experience. You are still very welcome here. We hope that this information will be helpful if you relate to having left a high-control relationship or group, or if you have experienced spiritual abuse or religious trauma. Please feel free to use different terms that resonate with you and your personal story! The term "cult" is actually quite nuanced and complicated. You can read more in-depth in our article, What is a Cult?
What is the process of cult recovery?

Cult recovery refers to the process of healing and reintegrating individuals who have been involved in cults or high-control groups. This can include addressing psychological trauma, rebuilding self-identity, and re-establishing connections with the outside world. “The process of cult recovery is a process of emancipation from the subjugating control of the cult. Developing the ability to self-reflect and self-regulate allows survivors to reclaim their innate self-healing resources.” -Daniel Shaw, LCSW The recovery process often involves education, therapy, and ongoing community support. The recovery process can help survivors understand their experiences, develop coping strategies, and regain a sense of autonomy and agency in their lives.
How long does recovery take?

Whether you were in a cult for five months or five years, there is no set time frame for recovery. Survivors’ experiences in cults vary greatly, and it is important to recognize that there is no single correct way to heal from cult involvement or expected timeline. Recovery from a cult is a personal journey, and what helps one person may not be helpful for another.

Intervention(s) for Cult Recovery

People Leave Cults offers psychoeducation, therapeutic resources, and opportunities for community with other survivors.

Explore our comprehensive services tailored to support individuals on their journey to recovery from cultic groups or relationships. Our specialized resources address the psychological, emotional, and social aspects of cult experience.

Engaging in the cult recovery process is an act of self-intervention.

Self-intervention refers to the proactive steps an individual takes to address the aftermath of being in a coercive environment. Self-intervention emphasizes personal agency and the ability to take charge of one's own well-being, which can be an empowering process for survivors.

Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation can be considered a form of self-intervention after leaving a cult.

Psychoeducation involves gaining knowledge about the dynamics of cults, manipulation tactics, and the psychological effects of such experiences. This understanding can empower individuals to make sense of their past, recognize harmful patterns, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Psychoeducation also helps to reduce feelings of isolation and confusion, fostering a sense of community and support.

Dr. Margaret Singer, a cult expert and pioneer in the field of cult recovery, emphasized the importance of not only therapy for cult survivors but “the primary need for education, specifically psychoeducation”. This remains true today.

By learning about the psychological and emotional impacts of cult involvement, individuals can better navigate their recovery process, rebuild their identities, and make informed choices about their future.

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Resources

Therapeutic Support

Therapy is a vital form of intervention for survivors, as it involves actively engaging in the healing process and making conscious choices to address emotional and psychological challenges.

In the context of cult recovery, therapy offers a structured environment where individuals can explore their experiences, identify harmful patterns, and develop healthier coping strategies with the guidance of a licensed professional.

Leaving a cult can be likened to walking through a spider web. We can all imagine the discomfort of having bits of web clinging to our skin; sometimes these remnants linger until we notice and remove them. In this analogy, the remnants of the web represent the phobias and fears instilled by the cult that individuals may still face, even after physically leaving the group. Therapy can be instrumental in untangling these issues, helping survivors address how past coercive influences still affect them. It can assist in coping with triggers, processing trauma, and providing educational insights as well.

Currently, People Leave Cults does not employ licensed mental health professionals, but we are working on therapeutic resources for both survivors seeking mental health assistance and therapists wanting to learn more about working with individuals from high-control groups or relationships.

We are working on a page for therapeutic resources! In the meantime, feel free to reach out to info@peopleleavecults.com with any information requests.

Community

In the realm of recovery from the trauma endured in cults, high-control groups, or coercive relationships, being in a community with other survivors has the potential to be immensely impactful.

People Leave Cults proudly hosts virtual support groups in partnership with amazing facilitators! These incredible individuals bring collaboration, empathy, and a deep understanding of the diverse journeys of survivors, fostering a welcoming environment for all.

People Leave Cults also collaborates with the local Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) to host regular in-person meetups in Portland, Oregon. These gatherings are for individuals who have left or are considering leaving high-demand religious groups. If you're in Portland, we invite you to visit the SAFE website to view our upcoming meetup schedule.

In-Person Meetups

Virtual Support Groups

Schedule a Consultation

Do you have questions? Need individual support? Schedule a consultation with Cult Intervention Specialist, Ashlen Hilliard, MSc, PSS.

Disclaimer: Services provided by People Leave Cults, LLC are not meant to be a substitute for professional counseling from mental health professionals. Services are NOT an emergency service, therapy, or medical in nature.

Recovery Consultation
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50 min

Recovery Consultation Payment Options:

*We offer pricing tiers:

We offer a range of pricing options to accommodate individuals experiencing financial hardship as well as those who are financially stable. This approach acknowledges the historical oppression faced by marginalized groups, including women, disabled individuals, neurodivergent individuals, BIPOC individuals, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and for those who exist at the intersections of these identities.

We encourage you to consider these factors when deciding how much you can pay.