Meet
Ashlen
About me
Ashlen Hilliard, MSc, PSS
I am a Cult Intervention Specialist and Founder of People Leave Cults.
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I recognize the complex experiences of individuals who have been involved in cultic groups or relationships, and I am committed to ensuring that cult recovery is accessible to survivors from all walks of life affected by coercive influence(s). Accessibility is essential—not only in terms of financial support but also through the creation of transparent, safe spaces for recovery.
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I firmly believe in the importance of diverse helpers in the recovery field. I actively collaborate with therapists, consultants, educators, and others to provide comprehensive support. I reject elitism in our field, understanding that each of us has unique qualifications and limitations in our effectiveness. It is crucial to recognize our boundaries and inform survivors about them, ensuring they receive referrals when necessary.
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The cult recovery field lacks formal professional formalization, which creates significant opportunities for growth and innovation among helping professionals. I am dedicated to seeking out new methods of support for survivors where they are currently lacking. Feedback on People Leave Cults is not just welcome; it is essential for our continued development.
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If you’re here to learn more or seek resources, know that your presence matters.​
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Ashlen Hilliard, MSc, PSS
Ashlen Weltz (Hilliard), MSc, PSS (she/her) is a Cult Intervention Specialist and the founder of People Leave Cults. She has been featured on NewsNation, HuffPost, BET+, and recently became an Executive Producer on an upcoming indie film, Beyond the Fence (click to see all media appearances).
As a Cult Intervention Specialist, Ashlen collaborates with a team of experts to offer guidance and support to families with loved ones entangled in cult-like groups or relationships. She works closely with these families to craft tailored intervention and recovery strategies. Ashlen firmly believes in a non-coercive approach that empowers clients and their families to make informed decisions.
Ashlen graduated with her MSc in the Psychology of Coercive Control in early 2022 with Distinction and conducted the first exploratory quantitative research on the relationship between reproductive coercion, psychologically abusive environments, and the extent of group identity in a sample of those who have left cultic groups [soon to be published in the International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation].
Prior to founding People Leave Cults, Ashlen gained valuable experience in the cult recovery field by working directly with individuals seeking to leave polygamist communities in the Western United States. She later assumed the role of Director of Events for the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), successfully organizing workshops, webinars, and conferences to cater to the diverse needs of professionals and individuals affected by the cult phenomenon.
Ashlen has also been a volunteer co-organizer of the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) Meetups in Portland, Oregon since 2020. She recently organized her second conference for survivors and helping professionals in the Pacific Northwest, which successfully connected individuals from all across the country in May 2024.
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Ashlen holds an active certification as a State of Oregon Traditional Health Worker: Peer Support Specialist (PSS) for Adult Mental Health issued by the Oregon Health Authority, Equity and Inclusion Division (Credential ID THW000111819). Ashlen's lived experience of mental health related to coercive influence(s) and over 2000+ hours of volunteer work as a peer support specialist in the community with survivors led to certification in July of 2024.
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Ashlen has exciting plans for the future of People Leave Cults, as she continues to explore ways to meet the diverse needs of those affected by coercive environments. She hopes to grow her network and create opportunities for up-and-coming cult specialists. As a member of the queer community, Ashlen is thrilled to be part of the new wave of helping professionals in the cult recovery field.