Resources
Psychological abuse, therapy abuse, cult abuse; these issues are wide ranging and very complicated. After experiences like this, it can be hard for survivors to find help. The first step to finding resources is figuring out how to name your experience.
These are some common labels outside of the ones I chose to use on this website:
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narcissistic abuse
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coercive control
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extreme manipulation
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psychological / emotional torture
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You are not alone. Other people have experienced something similar to you and they have healed. Many of them have written books, made websites, podcasts, music and art. On this page I have included some good starting materials made by survivors for survivors. I hope that this can help you find the content that you relate to most.
Remember to trust your own thoughts and feelings about any content that you engage with. After leaving psychological abuse, it's common to second guess even the smallest choices, like what to read or listen to. I'd love for you to read whatever the heck you want!​
Important Note
Engaging with content relating to your experience can be very triggering. If you notice yourself starting to space out, have flashbacks, heart palpitations, etc. make sure to listen to your body and take a break.
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Abusive individuals and groups tend to force you into an overly rushed approach towards life and learning. Their tactic is to intentionally overwork and overwhelm you so that your psychological defenses will lower. It’s not uncommon for them to use therapy language to make you feel as though you’re never doing enough, or that you’re “not dedicated to your recovery” (and therefore a bad person).
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Nobody gets to decide whether or not you're "dedicated" and nobody has the right to attack your character. While healing, you deserve to experience every facet of life, This includes relaxation and fun! Human beings were not meant to be mentally or physically productive 24/7.
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Caution: ​
Cult experts and activists are often targeted with false smear campaigns by the powerful organizations that they challenge. This could include websites, articles, social media posts and fake reviews of their services claiming that they are criminals, abusers, incompetent, etc. It can be overwhelming and stressful to read. Feel free to stop engaging with any content you aren't sure about.
Helpful Websites
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The Freedom of Mind Foundation was founded by one of the world’s leading cult experts Steven Hassan, PHD. He is a religious extremism cult survivor, therapist, educator and researcher whose work has been verified by dozens of credible institutions. His website also references more resources by authors, survivors, and researchers in the field of cult recovery.
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The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion was founded by Janja Lalich, PHD. She is a political extremism cult survivor, a therapist, educator and researcher whose work is also widely recognized and verified by dozens of credible institutions. Her website also references more resources by authors, survivors, and researchers in the field of cult recovery.
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https://www.gerettebuglion.com/
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Gerette Buglion is a teacher, author and consultant in the area of ‘everyday cults.’ She is a survivor of a coercive and abusive therapy cult which drained her emotionally and financially over a period of more than 20 years. She now holds writing workshops, educational talks, and blogs to help other survivors process and understand their own experiences. She is the founder of the #IGotOut movement which encourages survivors to tell their stories without shame.
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The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic and other high-control environments. Their website has a series of resources, publications, and suggested reading materials on the topic of psychological manipulation and cults. They also hold a yearly international conference which brings together experts, survivors, and a range of professionals.
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https://infosecte.org/en/home/ (English) https://infosecte.org/ (Français)
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Info-Cult / Info-Secte: Centre for Assistance and for the Study of Cultic Phenomena, is a nonprofit charitable organization which is the only one of its kind in Canada. Based in Montréal Québec, it houses one of the most important documentation centres specialized in this area. Info-Cult / Info-Secte also offers support and guidance services to former members of groups or their loved ones including monthly support groups in English and French.​
Helpful Books
You will be able to find dozens of books written by survivors of cult abuse, therapy abuse, and other types of coercive control. Here are two good books that work as a starting point to your reading. Both of these books have references to many other publications that you might be interested in.
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Combatting Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
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This book provides an excellent background on the history and psychology behind the coercive control tactics used by cults, fraudsters, and abusive individuals. If you are looking for more of a wider educational understanding of this phenomenon this is the book to start with. It is also an excellent reading material for friends and family members of cult survivors.
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Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich
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This book is also an excellent starting point for survivors, or anyone who wants to learn about manipulation and coercive control. Take Back Your Life is an incredibly comprehensive piece detailing the most common pathways by which survivors end up in these abusive and controlling environments. It includes everything from abusive relationships, to religious and political cults, to the abuses of the 'troubled teen' industry. Included throughout are a multitude of stories from other survivors, and an almost endless list of coping strategies. I highly recommend it for anyone who suspects they may have been psychologically abused.
Podcasts
Due to the public's widespread interest in things like cults, extreme manipulation, abuse, and fraud, you can find hundreds of podcasts that attempt to discuss these topics under the "true crime" umbrella. Given that podcasts are non-academic and largely for entertainment purposes, some of them will sensationalize the real stories of survivors and spread damaging misinformation. If you'd like to avoid listening to a sensationalized or downright mocking version of a trauma that has touched your life, I'd suggest starting with podcasts that are hosted by survivors. The podcasts I've listed below can be a good start for finding the content that speaks to you. They will both connect you to a diverse stream of other survivor-led content on the internet. ​​
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Cults to Consciousness is a survivor-led interview-based podcast run by Shelise Ann Sola, a former member of the Mormon church and an advocate against religious abuse. Her content is very detailed and respectful of all beliefs. She describes herself as “not anti-religious, but anti-abuse.” I find the tone of her podcast to be very sensitive and thoughtful. She interviews survivors from a wide range of abusive histories with humility and grace. She gives her guests the space to fully flesh out their experiences and how they learned to heal. I recommend this podcast for anyone who prefers personal storytelling, and a more neutral tone in their content.
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A Little Bit Culty is also a survivor-led interview-based podcast run by Sarah Edmondson and Anthony “Nippy” Ames, survivors of the cult 'NXIVM' featured in the documentary 'The Vow.' While Sarah and Nippy do interview excellent guests ranging from other survivors to scientists, psychologists and experts, I would say that their podcast has a much lighter and more humorous tone. I recommend this podcast for anyone who would like to listen to potentially difficult stories with hosts who are supportive but also crack a few good jokes here and there.
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