Bill has published numerous articles in books and professional journals, and he is one of the editors of a soon to be published book, sponsored by ICSA, which will focus on clinical work with former cult members. Since 1984, Carol has done exit counseling and writing in the field, as well as serving as director with several organizations boards, organizing and conducting recovery workshops and working with hundreds of people who have walked away from destructive cults. She is also co-editor of ICSAs Cult Recovery: A Clinicians Guide to Working With Former Members and Their Families (2017). The fear (and fascination) with cults is nothing new and movies about cults have been around since we started making films. Colleen has attended and presented at professional organizations including at ICSA conferences: Disconfirming Inaccurate, Self-Limiting Beliefs Internalized Through Thought Reform with Corrective Emotional Experience(2008) and Behave, Believe, Become Or Not! He and his wife, Lorna, co-lead a support group for former cult members, which has been meeting for over forty years. 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). Lois Svoboda, M.D., L.M.F.T., is a former family medicine physician who has been trained in Marriage & Family Therapy and worked as a medical family therapist for 23 years in Wichita Kansas. Some websites consist primarily of news articles copied from original sources. 4. Considering a new exciting career as an Cybersecurity Specialist? She has an expertise in conflicts related to cultic affiliations and works as consultant of the Support Network Against Manipulation and Abuse in Groups for SOS Abusi Psicologici. 84, No. Rosanne Henry, MA, LPC, is a psychotherapist practicing in Littleton, Colorado. For the past twenty years she has been active in the counter cult movement working closely with the former Cult Awareness Network and ICSA. Such groups may be manipulative cults, cult-like social movements, abusive churches, or even destructive personal relationships. Most handle their differences professionally. To become an ACE Functional Training Specialist, you will complete each of the modules listed below, as well as complete the quizzes associated with the material. These are some of the things we have encountered that should set off alarm bells of a . Shelly teaches trauma-informed psychotherapy at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy, the Training Institute for Mental Health, and the National Institute for the Psychotherapies. She is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, United Kingdom, as both a clinical and a counselling psychologist, and she is a registered counsellor/psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. 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. Licensed & Board Certified Psychologist Those applicants who become certified by the AIHCP in Crisis Intervention Counseling may use the initials/credential CIC-CSp., after their names: "Crisis Intervention Counselor-Certified Specialist" Timeline. Knowing something about the background and nature of a particular group-including its founder, leaders, doctrines, and practices-will also help you better evaluate lay and professional experts with whom you come into contact. Lorna joined ICSAs Board of Directors in November 2003. Since exiting, she has been active with the local, national and international cult awareness and recovery networks. In 2010 ICSA awarded her the Margaret L. Singer Award for advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence. Atkins points out that cult followers want to feel in it with fellow members AND their leader. She has been working with cult-involved clients and their families for over 20 years and gives lectures to students and professionals on this topic. Here are the steps for how to become a network specialist: 1. With a broad range of professional experience, she has served at community mental health centers, medical centers, and the Jewish Family & Children Service. Professional investigators make excellent rescue specialists, given the addition of advanced training in the psychoemotional aspects of the assignment. Here at Cult Training Academy . In 2004 one person was killed and one was injured in the small congregation Knutby in Sweden. And while not all may necessarily agree with each other on various issues, they are known to treat each other with professional courtesy. There you can see, among other things, whether or not someone is well connected with other experts in the field. Lorna has published numerous articles about her therapeutic work with former cult members in professional journals, most recently: Goldberg, L. (2012). Mr. Ryan is the co-founder TM-EX, the organization of ex-members of Transcendental Meditation. Jose Fernndez has a Degree in Psychology from the University of Barcelona and is credited as a Psychologist and Psychotherapist by the EFPA (European Federation of Psychologists Associations). No need for us to reinvent the wheel: See How to find a qualified therapist. She presented this paper at the October 2016 Pratt Institute conference: Art of Mentalizing: Communicating the Unknown, with Peter Fonagy as the keynote speaker. blgoldberg.com. Make sure the expert you are evaluating is such a professional themselves not just someone working with (or referring to) a licensed counselor. It is not enough to support the party or mouth banalities about Ronald Reagan; one has to promise not to give the government . A cult is a group with a particular and often dangerously fanatical ideology that has certain characteristics. Rod is a Social Psychologist who has been researching the psychology and aetiology of undue influence and cults or extremist groups for over twenty years, and he has developed the Totalistic Identity Theory as an evidence-based theory to explain and tackle ideological extremism and ideologically driven violence. Nobody joins acult. A published author and classically trained painter, she specializes in work with trauma and creativity, with cult-related trauma of particular interest. Robert Pardon, MDiv, ThM, is the Executive Director of the New England Institute of Religious Research (NEIRR) and MeadowHaven. Additionally, Doug offers individual counseling to ex-members. 409 Nottingham Road She also facilitates small educational/interactive workshops for former members, face to face since 2009 and online since 2018. Steve K. D. Eichel, Ph.D., ABPP, CST Influence of a Charismatic Antisocial Cult Leader: Psychotherapy With an Ex-Cultist Prosecuted for Criminal Behavior. The next day, many supporters stormed the Capitol, temporarily stopping Congress from certifying the 2020 election. The term cult comes from the Latin word cultus, which means to worship a deity, but in the last few centuries its colloquial definition has transformed.In a 1981 edition of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton defined three characteristics of a . This couldn't be further from the truth. Rule #6: Be Open, Inviting and Inclusive. He and Vicki now live near Tallahassee, Florida where both are licensed mental health counselors and operate an intensive outpatient substance abuse program at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. It is the oldest group of its kind in the world. Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd Marriage and Family Therapist, Rosanne Henry, L.P.C. Understand the true meaning of SEO. 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. When researching cult experts, you should also use YouTube as one of your sources. She has begun co-facilitating a cult recovery support group in the Washington DC area since 2014. There are many types of cults: political, religious, self-help, large group awareness . Cult Rescue and Cult Exiters. To further her understanding of her life experiences and develop a career using these invaluable life learnings Linda began her journey towards becoming a Mental Health Clinical Counselor. Two: The structure of the group isolates people. Dr. Whitsett also has a specialty in Sexuality and was awarded a Fulbright Specialist Scholarship in 2016 to study, teach, and do research on this topic in China. Most videos simply show the person in question speaking to an imaginary audience that is not on camera. In addition to his psychology practice and his involvement with ICSA, Dr. Eichel is active in a range of professional associations. We do not receive any form of compensation for these listings.For obvious reasons we have chosen not to include individuals who have developed a negative reputation in the field. Ashlen is featured in Season 3 of the BET+ Original Series: American Gangster: Trap Queens. Some cult experts are licensed mental health counselors, while others have no formal training in counseling.Helping someone leave a cult and deal with the aftermath requires a lot of counseling. In the 1980s and early 1990s she worked at the JBFCS Cult Clinic, and she continues to see former members and their families at her private practice in Manhattan. In 2009, she received the Margaret T. Singer Award from ICSA. Gillie delivers training for counsellors wishing to work effectively with former cult members. Start by researching . Other terms you may hear are: high-demand groups, LGATs, intentional communities. 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. Most cult experts themselves no longer use the terminology of deprogramming because of the controversies surrounding this intervention process. www.dreichel.com. She believes recovery from cultic groups requires the exercise of free speech, through which former members take the narrative back, reclaim their voices and thus, their identities. He worked for many years at Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center in Albany, Ohio. He was a psychologist and exit counselor at AIS (Barcelona) for two years. He has co-authored several articles and book reviews on cult-related topics for the CSJ/CSR. 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. Founded in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, this cult is one of the main Illuminati groups. The first four books listed here are especially recommended. Baker & S. Richard Sauber. She has facilitated ICSAs Recovery workshops for twenty-five years. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com. Prior to ICSA, Ashlen helped individuals leaving diverse polygamist communities gain independence while working as a case manager in Salt Lake City, Utah. 5, No. She also serves as a thought reform consultant helping families with loved ones in cultic or high-control groups or relationships. Rod has also served on more than a dozen Governing Boards of Schools, Colleges and Universities over the last two decades and he is currently a governor and director of the Akaal Primary School in Derby and is also a longstanding member of the Board of the homelessness charity the Wallich (headquartered in Cardiff, Wales). Bottom line: be aware that some organizations, websites and individuals listed on ICSAs links page are not necessarily recommended by the organization. AtApologeticsSearch.comyou can search forapologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 140+ Christian apologetics websites and blogs. Doubts may also grow as cult members ascend in the cult's hierarchy and get a clearer view of how the sausage is really made, family therapist and cult specialist Rachel Bernstein tells Inverse. He has been a cult intervention specialist (exit counseling, mediation, religious conflict resolution, thought reform consulting) since 1984. That is the time it takes to learn specific specialist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. ICSA is aninterdisciplinary networkof academicians, professionals, former group members, and familieswho study and educate the public about social-psychological influence and control, authoritarianism, and zealotry in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. Newark, DE 19711 ICSA Annual Conference: Life after spiritual abuse, reflecting on my own experience. Some cult experts who market themselves as such are, in fact, shunned by many respected professionals and organizations in the field. This means understanding the needs and preferences of the end-users, as well as the competition. She has presented on cults, with a particular focus on second-generation adults (SGAs) at various mental-health agencies, universities, and at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) annual conference in New Jersey. She is also the Programme Leader of the MSc Applied Psychology (Therapies) Program at the University of Salford. She is a Fellow and founding member (1972) of the Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work. KG: You really stress throughout your whole book this idea of how special you feel once you learn a cult's language. For about 20 years she has been involved in helping former members of different high demand groups in Sweden as a volunteer in the support group FRI and as a member of the board of the support group SESAM in Sweden. Reclaiming lives from coercive control and psychological abuse in destructive cults and relationships. They are frequent presenters at churches, civic groups, and conferences, as well as facilitators of a support group for former members of cults and high-demand groups. RETIRN currently has offices in Newark, DE, Lansdowne, PA and Pontypridd, Wales and Buxton, England (U.K.). 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. a lot of counseling. Credentialing Specialist salary data. Abusive relationships-where one person intentionally controls, manipulates, and exploits another-usually include psychological, physical, and/or sexual abuse. But one thing that continually comes up is that most people who become involved with a cult are going . www.drsteveeichel.com 3. 4 To understand ICSAs approach, read its policy regarding thebenefits of dialoguebetween parties that may not see eye to eye on cult-related issues. You and your loved ones deserve better. Linda has developed a new MSc Psychology of Coercive Control program at the University of Salford and is leading the program with Rod Dubrow-Marshall. In 2010 ICSA awarded her the Margaret L. Singer Award for advancing the understanding of coercive persuasion and undue influence. 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. BRAINDAAMAGE Dont You Want To Become A Cult Leader? EARDRUMDAAMAGEReleased on: 202. If you are helping someone who is trapped in a cult, it pays to familiarize yourself with the terminology and issues surrounding cults. You do this by keeping your members away from outsiders. Talking with new hires, consultants, and advisors will . Choose a leader. Visual: Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images. Some hygiene routines take longer than others, especially if you need help maintaining your hair, say, or struggle with acne. "With thought-stopping techniques," their article says, "members are taught to stop doubts from entering their consciousness about the cult, often with a key phrase they repeat." "Repeating a key phrase" is also known as chanting a mantra. I am fully insured and in regular supervision with a qualified, experienced supervisor. Shelly practices psychotherapy with adults, and she offers individual and group consultation to practicing clinicians. 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. 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. Cult influence is designed to disrupt a person's authentic identity and replace it with a new identity. Protect the system against damage, changes or illegal access. It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a specialist. 1, 2014. Existence, Consciousness, Bliss Counseling, Psychotherapy & Wellness Center, 1033 Demonbreun St., Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37203. dylesia@ecb-nashville.org. The organizations top management originated within the group, but is no longer affiliated, having been sold by the owners a few years ago. She is an EMDR International Association certified therapist and consultant. She attended an ICSA former member workshop that summer, then returned to college, obtaining Bachelors and Masters degrees in Social Work. 3, 2006), A Self Psychological Approach to the Cult Phenomenon (Journal of Social Work, 1992), Cults and Families (Families in Society, Vol. Not to mention, a passion for fitness! Ron is a former president of the Wellspring board and is a clinical advisor to both Wellspring and Meadowhaven, a treatment center near Boston. You will need to decide whether to entrust this to a licensed professional or a lay expert. Ensure accurate security tools are running properly, including anti-virus software and firewalls. 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. 6. The average U.S. salary for a Credentialing Specialist is: $44,790. As mentioned earlier, when researching cults it is necessary to understandthedifferences between theological and sociological definitionsof the term cult.. But genuine expertise generally is accompanied by professional behavior. 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. The third thing is total ideology, like, 'You only need me and no other belief system has any relevance whatsoever.' Some professionals as well as lay people specialize in dealing with cult problems. Buyer beware: Helping people to leave a cult, or to deal with the aftermath of a cult experience, necessarily involves a certain amount of (mental health) counseling in addition to expert advice. She has been working with former cult members and their loved ones since 1991. She spoke publicly about her own experiences and undue influences to classrooms, media, conferences, legislators and callers seeking help. 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