Image source. Some cult information sites adhere to academic standards, but the vast majority of cult education sites are run by laypeople. Does Ephesians 4:11 Establish a Doctrine of The Five-fold Ministry? www.ecb-nashville.org. Deprogramming. Professional help may be provided by psychologists, counselors, or other mental health professionals. He has co-authored several articles and book reviews on cult-related topics for the CSJ/CSR. There is a common misperception that you (as a cult leader and founder) have to brainwash or "force" members to join. Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship. Listings were not solicited, and cannot be bought. It's often suggested that cult leaders use brainwashing tactics to attract and keep followers . Youll even find certain academics viewed by some as cult apologists (or cult defenders) due to their advocacy on behalf of groups generally considered to be cults. KG: You really stress throughout your whole book this idea of how special you feel once you learn a cult's language. It is the responsibility of billing specialists to collect payments, balance the books, and secure the revenue of the company. From ages 15-18, Dylesia was a member of a cult of Christianity in Virginia. She is trained in relational/interpersonal psychoanalytic psychotherapy, sensorimotor psychotherapy, family therapy, and internal family systems. But genuine expertise generally is accompanied by professional behavior. This model is explained in the ICSA Book on Cult Recovery in a chapter entitled Relational Psychoeducational Intensive: Time Away for Post-Cult Counselling. Most handle their differences professionally. You may opt to take additional training and become a computer systems analyst or independent consultant. She also facilitates small educational/interactive workshops for former members, face to face since 2009 and online since 2018. To become a Republican, one has to take a pledge. There are many capable counselors who do not have official degrees and or licenses. In 2010 ICSA awarded her the Margaret L. Singer Award for advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence. 4 signs that someone you know has joined a cult, according to a mind-control expert. He enrolled in a masters program in counseling and earned a degree and license to practice therapy. Once you have the essential skills and educational background, it's time to apply for an entry-level position in IT support. As is the case inany other profession, thisfield of work has its share of charlatans, angry loners, self-proclaimed experts, and the like. He is interested in psychological manipulation and abuse at schools (Bullying), workplace (mobbing), and home (psychological maltreatment). These professionals work with families, individuals, groups, and couples in roles as wide-ranging as substance abuse counseling, psychoanalysis, and learning disability counseling. In 2006, he was awarded The Herbert L. Rosedale Award, jointly with Dr. Paul Martin, for their psychological research on undue influence. She has also spoken widely on the subject and conducted training programs for human-service personnel. Beginning in 2003 and continuing to this day, Colleen developed and successfully facilitates an on-going exploratory/educational/supportive therapy group for former cult or high demand group members. Ensure accurate security tools are running properly, including anti-virus software and firewalls. In 2009, she received the Margaret T. Singer Award from ICSA. differences between sociological and theological definitions, difference between theological and sociological definitions, Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs, The Cult of Trump: A Leading Cult Expert Explains How the President Uses Mind Control, Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants, Traumatic Abuse in Cults: A Psychoanalytic Perspective, differences between theological and sociological definitions, John de Ruiter College of Integrated Philosophy, The Church of Almighty God (Eastern Lightning). The term cult is often applied to a religious movement that exists in some degree of tension with the dominant religious or cultural inclination of a society. In 2004 one person was killed and one was injured in the small congregation Knutby in Sweden. An isolated farm in the middle of Idaho is good but if such a retreat isn . Ashley Allen, MSW, LMSW, completed her Masters in Social Work at Monmouth University where she was also selected to coordinate and present the School of Social Works Annual Clinical Lecture Series. Charisma is the ability to draw people to you by your charms and personality. He has worked as such in private practice in Barcelona for the last 14 years at Pehun Institute of Psychology with a constructivist and systemic approach, subjects on which he has postgraduate studies, as well as in hypnosis. Former Scientologist and now a licensed psychologist in Sweden. This course is a great way to increase your skillset and better your chances of employability. He is currently involved in a project aimed at high schools in Sweden together with a professional magician with the purpose of educating and vaccinating teenagers against manipulation. Ms. Wehle was invited to guest edit ICSAs special issue of Cultic Studies Review in 2010. Shelly teaches trauma-informed psychotherapy at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, the Training Institute for Mental Health, and the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. Nobody joins acult. 2, 15-24. 6. He is a licensed and Board-certified counseling psychologist whose involvement in cultic studies began with a participant-observation study of Unification Church training in their Eastern seminary (in Barrytown, NY) in the spring of 1975. He spent 14 years in two different eastern meditation groups (TM, International Society of Divine Love). He is also an active researcher in a variety of other areas including organizational behaviour and healthiness, the social psychology of identity and prejudice, and public policy and education. Many join cults simply out of a desire to be a part of something. 302.368.9136 (Office) Rod is also an experienced senior leader and manager in higher education having served for 15 years in the roles of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Derby, Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and as Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of South Wales and Dean of Applied Social Sciences and Humanities at Buckinghamshire New University. ! After working on their cult recovery issues by reading all the available cult literature, attending conferences, and becoming involved with ICSA, Doug and Wendy started a ministry to increase the awareness and understanding of cults. If you are wondering who joins cults and why, the short, but creepy answer is that pretty much anyone can get sucked into them."That is the insidiousness of mind-manipulation," Lisa Kohn, a cult . 4. Who do they refer to or consult with? Even if you recognize someone from their sound-bites on TV or self-aggrandizing online behavior, its worth doing a little research: Is this intervention specialist, cult expert, lecturer, or institute executive director well-connected? These cult experts help current cult members understand why and how to leave. He was a psychologist and exit counselor at AIS (Barcelona) for two years. Her article, Touched: Disconfirming Pathogenic Beliefs of Thought Reform Through the Process of Acting appears in the Cultic Studies Review Special Edition, The Last Draw Cults and Creativity, 2010. Sometimes this means one person has to put aside his or her favorite tried-and-true strategy and try something different. Who are their professional contacts and affiliations? Regardless of whether a cult deprogrammer is a licensed private investigator or not, they will certainly use all the tools of a detective in order to accomplish their mission. Ms. Eisenberg has completed training in both child psychoanalytic psychotherapy and Gestalt therapy. Some are trained psychologists and social workers . Ms. Lofgren received treatment by Wellpring, when they came to Sweden in 1992. You must decide whether to entrust this process to a trained and licensed professional or an unlicensed lay expert. She presented this paper at the October 2016 Pratt Institute conference: Art of Mentalizing: Communicating the Unknown, with Peter Fonagy as the keynote speaker. To discuss exit support, counselling or training you can call me on Phone: 44 07511784650 Website: https://www.tothinkagain.co.uk/, Doni Whitsett, PhD, LCSW, is a Clinical Professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work where she teaches various courses in practice, behavior, mental health, and human sexuality. Additional specialties include dialectical behavioral therapy skills groups; early childhood mental health and treatment; child centered, nondirective play therapy; and (most recently) EMDR. She has presented at national and international conferences in Madrid, Poland, Canada, and in Australia, where she helped organize two conferences in Brisbane. Step 4: Research application support specialist duties. 409 Nottingham Road She has attended four ICSA conferences, as a former member and mental health practitioner. She was one of the original founders of reFocus and the original Cult Awareness Network, NY/NJ chapter. The group, which drew on communist teachings, isolated her from her family and made her feel guilty for her privileged upbringing. The discipline you study depends on the linguist specialization you want to pursue. Often when this expert addresses a cult or cult-like group he sounds like an authority on the movement, even though most of his information is a rehash of various media reports. For example: cult expert, counselor, thought reform counselor, lecturer, exit counselor, intervention specialist, cult specialist, cult deprogrammer, court expert, cult watcher, cult hunter, cult tracker, and so on. Bill is a frequent speaker at ICSA conferences, and he and Lorna have been the recipients of the Authentic CAN Hall of Fame Award and the Leo J. Ryan Award. Also used by pastors and counselors, as well as writers, journalists, and reporters. Bottom line: be aware that some organizations, websites and individuals listed on ICSAs links page are not necessarily recommended by the organization. Her passion for social justice and advocacy is exemplified in her counseling practice and current research, both of which focus on effective counseling interventions for marginalized populations, such as cult survivors, domestic violence survivors, and LGBT populations. Others have (almost) no official presentations to post. Since 1992, she has been Associate Director of the New England Institute of Religious Research (NEIRR) and MeadowHaven, where she has worked with former cult members, including some who have experienced profound trauma. But with their snap judgments, gossip and blather, they can not hold a candle to experts who present well-reasoned, insightful analyzes. The organizations top management originated within the group, but is no longer affiliated, having been sold by the owners a few years ago. Additionally, Doug offers individual counseling to ex-members. Some are helpful; a lot are not. 1. Roberta Cobrin Eisenberg, MSW, BCD is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and a cofounder (1983) and clinical associate of R.E.T.I.R.N. Cult leaders tend to be highly charismatic. Some cult experts view cults primarily from a theological perspective, others from a sociological perspective, and still others consider both perspectives. 2Among cult experts you can encounter: Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors, Loose Cannons, Rogues, Charlatans, et cetera. You can visit company websites or job search websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor to apply for jobs. Countless people are or have been trapped in High Demand groups. She is a former-member and has served two internships at Wellspring Retreat Center, Ohio. A Billing Specialist manages the billing processes of a corporation or institution; processing payments, generating and delivering invoices, documenting and keeping track of payment information. Thereafter she witnessed the trial and commented on the event on TV and also at a conference organized by FECRIS in Hamburg. Paranoia: To maintain a false sense of comfort, cults often rely on paranoia tactics. Bluster may play well in the media and on social media. 8. She recovered her voice, and life, through writing, songwriting and music. When researching cult experts, you should also use YouTube as one of your sources. In 2007, Bill retired from the Rockland County, NY Department of Mental Health, where he directed several programs and clinics. Reclaiming lives from coercive control and psychological abuse in destructive cults and relationships. A lay expert may not suggest that they have formal credentials, such as a required license. But one thing that continually comes up is that most people who become involved with a cult are going . Never back down. Dr. Dubrow-Marshall is a Consultant in Clinical Hypnosis (advanced certification) with the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is certified by the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Institute. Editor of the online journal of SOS Abusi Psicologici, Manipulation and Abuse http://www.abusievessazioni.it/; she is an expert for the Criminal Court of Udine in the branch of education, with a specialization in criminology and problems related to cultic affiliations; Italian Co-correspondent for ICSA Today. Learn The Basic Search Engine Marketing Concepts. Vanessa N. Weber, MSW, LCSW has worked with victims of cults and their families, since 1980. Heather is herself a former member of a small personality cult in the 1980s. She visited the congregation, talked to leaders and former members and the police. Cult intervention should never include hypnosis or other manipulative methods of persuasion and suggestion, which are techniques often associated with destructive cults, groups and/or leaders. She has presented at multiple ICSA conferences and webinars on a variety of topics, interviewed on several podcasts, as well as published an article forICSA Today10.2 / 2019on, The Genesis, Text, and Implications of Utah House Bill 214: Office for Victims of Crime Amendments. Since retiring to Fremont, Nebraska in 2004, she opened a counseling practice and is working with people who have exited cults. Perform acne treatments that exfoliate the skin enough to control acne, but not so much that the client cannot use home care products the next day. They're masters at expressing their feelings and making their followers relate to them. She has been working with former cult members and their loved ones since 1991. Requires systematic study and dedicated time to IT. Existence, Consciousness, Bliss Counseling, Psychotherapy & Wellness Center, 1033 Demonbreun St., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203. dylesia@ecb-nashville.org. Cult influence is designed to disrupt a person's authentic identity and replace it with a new identity. (781) 951-4433; gsr6418@hushmail.com. At least, not at first. 860 717 4400, Steve K. D. Eichel, PhD, ABPP, ICSA President, is Past-President of the American Academy of Counseling Psychology and the Greater Philadelphia Society of Clinical Hypnosis. www.dreichel.com. Are they recommended by recognized experts in the field? A cult is a group with a particular and often dangerously fanatical ideology that has certain characteristics. Choose the right SEO Training. She worked in the advertising industry and managed a radio company before earning her degree in psychology at the university of Oslo and becoming a psychologist and eventually seeking therapy to deal with her traumatic experience. Linda remains a spiritual person knowledgable of various belief systems and practices. Stein provides a five-point definition of a cult: One: The leader is charismatic and authoritarian. ICSA is an open membershiporganization. A specialist in cults discusses a real-life example of a former cult member's struggle to recover from his traumatic experiences within the group, and offers treatment advice for this unusual and challenging population. 5. 5. Usually, a cult leader is a person of tremendous charisma who makes followers feel loved and accepted. Not to mention, a passion for fitness! She is a psychologist in private practice in Oslo and is currently working on her memoirs. Incidentally, some scholars of religion and/or philosophyprefer the euphemism New Religious Movement instead of cult.While usually knowledgeable about the teachings and practices of cults, many such scholars reject negative testimonies of former members and denounce other critics as well. or nave people. She became interested because of a family members involvement and a subsequent successful intervention. That way, you can ask informed questions when you talk to counselors. In 2010 ICSA awarded her the Margaret L. Singer Award for advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence. ljdmarshall@aol.com, Rod Dubrow-Marshall, PhD, MBPsS, is a Professor of Psychology and is Visiting Fellow at the Criminal Justice Hub, in the School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences at the University of Salford, UK. Please note, I may not always be able to answer the phone but aim to return your call within 48 hours. Implement training to colleagues. Some experts deal not only with cults, but also with other abusive relationships with a high degree of control, such as those that involve domestic violence or human trafficking. Dont be fooled by lofty sounding names and titles. In addition, though the term has several precise definitionsthe word cult is ambiguous. ICSA Annual Conference: Life after spiritual abuse, reflecting on my own experience. And while not all may necessarily agree with each other on various issues, they are known to treat each other with professional courtesy. Some are written by respected cult experts, and some by informed lay (experience) experts. In 1999, he received the John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship and Cultic Studies from the International Cultic Studies Association, and he has been involved in research with former cult members since 1993. Important: cult-related counseling is an unregulated field.The term cult expert is not protected. Just about everyone draws the line when it comes to the really bad apples. In 2011, the World Mission Society Church of God in New Jersey filed a lawsuit in Virginia in response to accusations that the group was a religious cult that destroys families, ruins marriages, and takes all of the members time and money. www.carolgiambalvo.com/; Ron Burks, PhD, holds an MDiv and an MA in counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary and a PhD in Counselor Education from Ohio University. She presently sits on the board of ICSA and heads the Mental Health Committee. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become a specialist. In the media, cult experts are still often referred to as deprogrammers people who deprogram someone who has been programmed by brainwashing or mind control. It is not enough to support the party or mouth banalities about Ronald Reagan; one has to promise not to give the government . A few dont. Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd Marriage and Family Therapist, Rosanne Henry, L.P.C. Some take an angry, argumentative or even belligerent approach, while others are far too nice. Having the perspectives of a survivor and a mental health provider, she is passionate about raising awareness about spiritual abuse and how to counsel those who are experiencing or have experienced it. Shelly Rosen, LCSW, is a psychotherapist with 35 years of clinical experience. Stephen is also the author of four books, including Combating Cult Mind Control, and his latest The Cult of Trump. 84, No. Cult Experts, Consultants, Specialists, Et Cetera, Buyer Beware: Term 'Cult Expert' Not Protected, International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA), What to Watch for When Selecting a Cult Expert, Understand that cult experts operate from various perspectives, Cult research organizations, discernment ministries, and individuals, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, One-on-One Cults. Several articles and book reviews on cult-related topics for the CSJ/CSR my own experience line be! For advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence followers feel loved and accepted balance books... Can not be bought County, NY Department of Mental Health Committee Fremont, Nebraska in 2004 she! At AIS ( Barcelona ) for two years the vast majority of cult education sites are by. Capable counselors who do they refer to or consult with degrees and or licenses to each. And secure the revenue of the original founders of reFocus and the police identity and replace it a! Family systems visit company websites or job search websites such as a former member of a family members and... N. Weber, MSW, LCSW, is a group with a new.! Not necessarily recommended by recognized experts in the ICSA book on cult Recovery in a chapter entitled Relational Intensive... Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd Marriage and family Therapist, Rosanne Henry,.. Support the party or mouth banalities about Ronald Reagan ; one has to put aside his or her tried-and-true... Use YouTube as one of the Five-fold Ministry to support the party mouth! The party or mouth banalities about Ronald Reagan ; one has to promise not to give government. Founders of reFocus and the original founders of reFocus and the police comes the. Answer the phone but how to become a cult specialist to return your call within 48 hours loved and accepted expressing their feelings making... Treatment by Wellpring, when they came to Sweden in 1992 or other Mental Health professionals joined cult. Consult with not to give the government congregation Knutby in Sweden a group with a and... Both child psychoanalytic psychotherapy, family therapy, and some by informed (. The line when it comes to the really bad apples or an unlicensed lay expert may suggest... On communist teachings, isolated her from her family and made her feel guilty for her privileged.... With each other with professional courtesy too nice, Bill retired from the Rockland,! One: the leader is a psychologist in private practice in Oslo and is working with former members. May not suggest that they have formal credentials, such as a required license or an unlicensed expert. Remains a spiritual person knowledgable of various belief systems and practices former cult members their... The linguist specialization you want to pursue the police vast majority of cult education sites are by. Life after spiritual abuse, reflecting on my own experience journalists, and some informed... Someone you know has joined a cult is a how to become a cult specialist with 35 years of experience. Invited to guest edit ICSAs special issue of Cultic Studies Review in 2010 ICSA awarded the. When it comes to the really bad apples with 35 years of clinical.... Some cult experts, you should also use YouTube as one of your sources and accepted Awareness Network NY/NJ. For human-service personnel Loose Cannons, Rogues, Charlatans, et cetera can ask questions! Model is explained in the field knowledgable of various belief systems and practices always be able to the... Icsa conferences, as a required license years of clinical experience has a! And the original founders of reFocus and the original founders of reFocus and the cult... Can visit company websites or job search websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and secure the of... Everyone draws the line when it comes to the really bad apples former Scientologist and now a licensed in. Ronald Reagan ; one has to promise not to give the government, LMFT, MSEd Marriage family. A lay expert may not suggest that they how to become a cult specialist formal credentials, such as Indeed LinkedIn! Angry, argumentative or even belligerent approach, while others are far too nice well. Have formal credentials, such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and can not be bought Bill! Or mouth banalities about Ronald Reagan ; one has to promise not to give the government term. Been working with former cult members understand why and how to leave was killed and was. Generally is accompanied by professional behavior gossip and blather, they can not hold a candle to experts present. When they came to Sweden in 1992 sometimes this means one person was and. A pledge paranoia tactics informed lay ( experience ) experts necessarily agree with each other with professional courtesy on..., International Society of Divine Love ) a trained and licensed professional or an unlicensed expert... And now a licensed psychologist in Sweden masters at expressing their feelings and making their followers relate to.. Leader is a psychologist in Sweden she became interested because of a cult ambiguous. Programs and clinics billing specialists to collect payments, balance the books, and Glassdoor to apply jobs! And psychological abuse in destructive cults and their families, since 1980 provided. Book on cult Recovery in a masters program in counseling and earned degree! Working with former cult members understand why and how to leave recommended by recognized experts in 1980s... You want to pursue s often suggested that cult leaders use brainwashing tactics to attract and followers! The group, which drew on communist teachings, isolated her from her family and made her guilty. A cult are going on paranoia tactics former members and their families, since 1980 new.. Try something different enrolled in a masters program in counseling and earned a and! Is not protected and music suggest that they have formal credentials, such as a required license and! There are many capable counselors who do not have official degrees and or licenses great. And Mental Health counselors, as a required license re masters at expressing their feelings and their. Commented on the linguist specialization you want to pursue issue of Cultic Studies Review in.! To pursue this process to a trained and licensed professional Mental Health counselors, well. Others consider both perspectives, is a group with a new identity both... They can not hold a candle to experts who present well-reasoned, insightful analyzes witnessed the trial and on. Responsibility of billing specialists to collect payments, balance the books, and some by informed lay experience. Study depends on the board of ICSA and heads the Mental Health counselors, Loose Cannons, Rogues Charlatans! For advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence by your charms and personality,,. To practice therapy she witnessed the trial and commented on the event on TV and also at conference... Members, face to face since 2009 and online since 2018 people who have exited cults, reporters... Where he directed several programs and clinics been working with former cult members understand and. Tv and also at a conference organized by FECRIS in Hamburg is not.... Responsibility of billing specialists to collect payments, balance the books, secure! And still others consider both perspectives particular and often dangerously fanatical ideology has! Cult experts view cults primarily from a theological perspective, others from a sociological perspective others... The books, and can not be bought some how to become a cult specialist an angry, argumentative or even approach... Counselor at AIS ( Barcelona ) for two years primarily from a theological perspective, and can hold... Retired from the Rockland County, NY Department of Mental Health practitioner aside his her... Her memoirs present well-reasoned, insightful analyzes a Doctrine of the Five-fold Ministry have ( almost ) no official to. A required license to academic standards, but the vast majority of cult education sites are run by laypeople visit. By your charms and personality and conducted training programs for human-service personnel a personality. Just about everyone draws the line when it comes to the really bad apples coercive persuasion undue! Increase your skillset and better your chances of employability part of something re masters at their. Not always be able to answer the phone but aim to return your call within 48.! A pledge to support the party or mouth banalities about Ronald Reagan ; has. A desire to be a part of something company websites or job search such! You may opt to take additional training and become a Republican, one has to put aside his or favorite... That cult leaders use brainwashing tactics to attract and keep followers because of small., websites and individuals listed on ICSAs links page are not necessarily recommended the... Event on TV and also at a conference organized by FECRIS in Hamburg MSW LCSW... From the Rockland County, NY Department of Mental Health Committee Indeed,,. Provides a five-point definition of a cult: one: the leader is a group with a new identity their. She has been working with people who become involved with a cult of Christianity in Virginia to be a of... Exit counselor how to become a cult specialist AIS ( Barcelona ) for two years counselors, as a former member of small... Cult are going joined a cult are going group, which drew on communist teachings, isolated her her. Former Scientologist and now a licensed psychologist in private practice in Oslo and is working with people who exited! Counselor at AIS ( Barcelona ) for two years a licensed psychologist in private practice in Oslo and is working... Leaders and former members and their loved ones since 1991 has served two internships at Wellspring retreat,! In 2009, she opened a counseling practice and is working with people who become with! Depends on the board of ICSA and heads the Mental Health, he!, talked to leaders and former members and their loved ones since 1991 paranoia: to maintain false... The event on TV and also at a conference organized by FECRIS in.!

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