Leaving a cult is an important and courageous act—but it is only the beginning of a longer psychological recovery process. Upon leaving, many cult survivors struggle with anxiety, identity issues, intrusive memories, guilt, loss and a deep sense of betrayal. Unfortunately cult recovery work is still niche and there are still more cult survivors seeking therapy than there are clinicians trained to work with this issue.
Cult recovery work requires in-depth knowledge on the part of the therapist about mind and coercive control, including manipulation techniques used by cult leaders to influence, take advantage and abuse. The long-term consequences of being part of a cult can be truly devastating for some.
Understanding the psychological impact of mind control
Whilst people of all ages join cults, people are particularly vulnerable to joining at a transitional and/or lonely period in their lives. Cult leaders take advantage of these vulnerabilities and predate on those who are looking for answers to complex human issues in their lives. They seduce by offering simple solutions packaged or disguised as benevolent self-improvement courses, programmes or techniques.
Once a person realises what has happened to them and decides to leave, they are usually met with resistance and even threats from the cult or organisation. Threats and attempts to get them back into the cult sometimes continues for a long time after they have left. Some people have had to make tough choices to leave everything behind, including their family and/or possessions. Cult leavers are often faced with a string of complex and layered feelings which need unpicking and working through if recovery is the goal.
First and Second generations
Some people join cults as adults, and others are either born into it or brought in as children by their parents. Therefore, the set of issues that adult survivors (also called second generation adults or SGAs) have to deal with are quite specific to their experiences of being born or growing up in a cult. Adults who have brought their children into these environments will need to deal with a number of issues relevant to their own recovery in addition to the guilt of what they have put their children and families through. Those who were raised in cults have to come to terms with growing up with a set of beliefs that were odd, strange and sometimes dangerous to most people. They often feel like aliens, have trouble relating and building a life outside of the cult. Regaining a sense of identity and belonging is an arduous journey depending on how much of their lives they have spent there.
What to expect of psychotherapy for cult-recovery?
This type of therapy is always tailored to individual needs circumstances. Everyone has their own set of unique experiences that they bring to therapy, as well as their pre-cult life in the case of those who joined as adults. Cult-recovery focuses on processing past events as well as focusing on the present. Sometimes it is difficult to find someone to talk to about some of these experiences because they will seem outlandish to most people, even therapists. Another important aspect of recovery is of rebuilding a life post-cult, which many leavers find challenging.
In the case of those who were born or raised in cults, psychotherapy can focus on identity, imbedded cultic beliefs, coming to terms with loss, and dealing with one’s parents and family – some of whom may still be in the cult. Adult survivors often experience PTSD and complex trauma. Some common experiences are gaps in education, moving houses and / or countries frequently, child sexual abuse and exploitation, human trafficking, physical, emotional and psychological abuse, and relationship issues, only to name a few.
What next?
Taking the first step towards recovery takes courage. Sometimes it can take months and even years to decide to talk to a therapist about these experiences because they are usually clouded in secrecy and shame. Some people will join one cult after another or enter into other abusive or controlling relationships until they realise that they are repeating a pattern and need help.
Getting in touch
Sam Jahara is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and clinical supervisor. She is experienced in working with the psychological impact of high-control groups and cults on individuals, families and organisations. She has also given public talks and podcast interviews on this topic.
Further reading:
The psychology of cults: part one – what defines a cult?
The psychology of cults: part two – what is brainwashing?
The psychological impact on children who grow up in cults
The psychology of the cult leader
The adult survivor of neglect and abuse – lifelong considerations
All the content on this page has been reviewed and vetted by Sam Jahara Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Co-Founder of Brighton and Hove Psychotherapy. For any questions or more information about the subjects discussed on this page please contact us.