One of the recurring complaints survivors of high-control groups have is that too many therapists just don't understand their needs or how to start addressing their unique set of problems. Not only do cult survivors often feel frustrated, unheard, and alone, they find themselves having to educate their therapist on how destructive cults work.

Some clinicians can even worsen a client's condition by insisting on following specific modalities of therapy. As someone who has worked specifically with former members of destructive cults for decades, I can offer the following insights on how to treat clients who are survivors of high-control, authoritarian groups.

Time of entry:. Understanding whether the person was born or raised in a cult or was recruited later is important. When someone is raised in a destructive group, they were often raised in authoritarianism, which often includes corporal punishment but always emphasizes obedience and not play or curiosity.

Unique Family Dynamics in Cults: Understanding the distinct family dynamics for those born or raised in destructive groups is valuable, because the dynamics are intrinsically linked to the cult experience and should be addressed accordingly. Many cults excommunicate or shun former members and try to pressure them to “repent” and rejoin. When people first leave, they might continue listening to cult propaganda or engage in........

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