This document discusses Cyndi Matthews' dissertation which examines the experiences of second generation adults who were born and raised in religious cults. It explores their experience in the cult through interviews, leaving the cult, and their lives today. The document defines characteristics of cults and includes themes that have emerged from Matthews' research such as decision making, obedience to authority, abuse suffered in the cult, and the long-term emotional consequences of leaving the cult. Counseling strategies are provided to help clients who experienced being in a cult.
1. BORN AND RAISED IN A
RELIGIOUS CULT:
HEALING AFTER LEAVING
Cyndi Matthews
PhD Candidate, LPC, NCC
For Higher Education 621, Summer II, 2012
2. MY DISSERTATION
● Qualitative Study – Grounded Theory
● Looking at Second Generation Adults
● Experience in the religious cult,
leaving, and today (Interviews)
● Implications for Counselors working
with them
3. WHAT IS A CULT?
● All encompassing movement – all time and energy
● Self-appointed leader (God) proclaims they are
supernatural being/powers
● Organized around member’s devotion to
leader/organization – (obedience, decisions)
● Leader tells members to lose relationships with
outside world (family and friends)
● Outside world is seen as inferior, insiders are part
of an elite group
● Causes members harm (physical, social, emotional)
● Spend time together on daily basis
■ Singer, 2003
4. VIDEO
● http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=PdIGNsbgVY4
● As you watch ask yourself, “What
issues/challenges do you think people have
after leaving a cult? – especially those born
and raised in a cult?”
5. THEMES
1. Patriarchy and Gender
7. Abuse
Roles
8. Outside Influences
2. Decision Making
9. Sense of Identity*
3. Obedience to
10. Emotional
Authority
Consequences*
4. Group and
11. Fear and Courage*
Relationship Support
12. Long Process of
5. Relationship with
Change*
Parents
6. Religiosity and
Spirituality * over-arching theme
6. 2. DECISION MAKING
● In the cult authority figures make all
decisions – members not allowed to
question
● Some left because they were tired
of obeying and blindly following
leader’s decisions
● Some enjoyed making new decisions
– others felt lost and confused
● Difficulties with black and white
thinking, magical thinking, having
one right answer
7. DECISION MAKING
● “I didn't have anything. I lost my gyroscope is
what I think - because if I wasn't in the truth
(pause) – it’s either the truth or it’s a lie. So
what all else do I believe that are lies? Can I
smoke? And at the same time I still wasn't sure
if I was going to stay or if I was going to leave
my husband. I started to question everything. I
had to.” (Participant #2)
8. WHAT CAN COUNSELORS DO?
● Teach clients about cult mind control and
how they were influenced – not their fault
● Teach goal setting - practice with small
decisions
● Help clients learn from mistakes
● Teach decision making skills and help
clients explore “the grey” area
10. 7. ABUSE
● All participants experienced abuse:
psychological/emotional, physical, sexual
in name of cult group (spiritual abuse)
● Participated in abuse of “disobedient” or
“defiant” members
● Some left because could not tolerate
abuse they suffered or inflicted upon
others
● Some left because angry, depressed, or
physically ill because of abuse
● Abuse during leaving: threats, shunning
● Today still deal with depression, anger,
guilt, physical symptoms, feel vulnerable
11. ABUSE
● “I was scared all the time . . . I never had
nightmares before that. I had problems
sleeping and my thoughts were racing too
much” (Participant #6-1-5).
12. WHAT CAN COUNSELORS DO?
● Assess for past abuse and trauma
(PTSD)
● Remember denial and repression of
memories common when abused
● Help clients explore and unravel
threats and curses, abuses
● Parent education, Empowerment
education, assertiveness
● Explore guilt about past abuses
toward others
