International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 9, 2018 81
would use their theory in working within that
particular context.
The book appropriately concludes with a
discussion of research concerning cult survivors
and counseling with former members. Lois
Kendall, the notable author of Born and Raised
in a [Sect]: You are Not Alone, wrote two of
these chapters, one in which she discusses what
cult research tells clinicians and researchers
overall, and another chapter that speaks to how
research should and can occur with former cult
members. The research chapters will be very
helpful in terms of assisting clinicians and
researchers in advancing the field of cult
recovery.
There are many strengths in this comprehensive
clinical resource. The editors have drawn on
experienced clinicians and researchers who
obviously have worked with many former cult
members over time. For the most part, this
Clinician’s Guide… is hands-on and deals with
real-life examples that clinicians can use and
adapt to their own clients. Most of the chapters
also include excellent resources for readers who
want to continue their research in counseling
with former cult members.
Most of all, because of the different viewpoints
and theoretical orientations presented for
working with former cult members/survivors,
the Clinician’s Guide… points to the possibility
of flexibility on the part of counselors working
with these individuals. The overall message is
that that there is no one right way to work with a
former-cult-member client. The common goal is
healing the trauma that past cult members have
experienced.
All of the authors of this guide have done an
effective job sharing their expertise about how to
work with first-generation former cult members,
or those who joined a cult later in life and
subsequently left. However, as Langone points
out in the Introduction, a third of ICSA former
cult members are second- or multiple-generation
survivors—in other words, those born and/or
raised in cults. As a potential area for expansion
in cult-recovery research, authors could continue
to explore and advance theories and approaches
for working with former second- and multiple-
generation cult members.
Some authors, including Steve Eichel, Rosanne
Henry, and Lorna Goldberg, have specifically
taken the time to discuss second-generation
survivors. As some writers point out, the issues
for those born and raised within a cultic
environment can be much more traumatic than
for those who join later on in life, and can
include developmental and attachment
challenges from which these survivors may have
a difficult time recovering.
Regarding those born and/or raised in cults, a
noted absence from the book is a discussion
about people born and raised in cults having to
leave behind family and friends in the cult.
Perhaps in a follow-on book, authors could also
discuss issues related to the trauma of leaving
family, friends, and one’s history behind and
entering an often-unknown or unfamiliar world
outside of the cult.
As another minor point, mental health clinicians
in general are moving toward more evidenced-
based clinical research. Although most chapters
are supported by current, evidenced-based
research, some chapters seem to lack the
research base to support the methods and
interventions the authors present. There are
notable exceptions. The chapters by Kendall,
Eichel, Marshall, and Jenkinson are structured as
research- and evidence-based interventions.
Overall, Cult Recovery: A Clinician’s Guide to
Working With Former Members and Family is
an excellent resource for mental health clinicians
and students studying to become mental health-
care workers. The Clinician’s Guide… provides
excellent information about the multifaceted
levels of expertise needed for counseling former
cult members. I would highly recommend this
resource as an introduction to students in the
mental health-care field, clinicians, former cult
members, and loved ones of former and current
members. The chapters provide excellent
information and resources for counseling and
understanding this population. As Richard A.
Chefetz, a medical doctor in private practice in
Washington, DC, states on the back cover of the
book, “If you read one book about
psychotherapeutic approaches to recovery from
the morbidity of cult membership, then read Cult
Recovery … This book is a MUST.” I, as both a
would use their theory in working within that
particular context.
The book appropriately concludes with a
discussion of research concerning cult survivors
and counseling with former members. Lois
Kendall, the notable author of Born and Raised
in a [Sect]: You are Not Alone, wrote two of
these chapters, one in which she discusses what
cult research tells clinicians and researchers
overall, and another chapter that speaks to how
research should and can occur with former cult
members. The research chapters will be very
helpful in terms of assisting clinicians and
researchers in advancing the field of cult
recovery.
There are many strengths in this comprehensive
clinical resource. The editors have drawn on
experienced clinicians and researchers who
obviously have worked with many former cult
members over time. For the most part, this
Clinician’s Guide… is hands-on and deals with
real-life examples that clinicians can use and
adapt to their own clients. Most of the chapters
also include excellent resources for readers who
want to continue their research in counseling
with former cult members.
Most of all, because of the different viewpoints
and theoretical orientations presented for
working with former cult members/survivors,
the Clinician’s Guide… points to the possibility
of flexibility on the part of counselors working
with these individuals. The overall message is
that that there is no one right way to work with a
former-cult-member client. The common goal is
healing the trauma that past cult members have
experienced.
All of the authors of this guide have done an
effective job sharing their expertise about how to
work with first-generation former cult members,
or those who joined a cult later in life and
subsequently left. However, as Langone points
out in the Introduction, a third of ICSA former
cult members are second- or multiple-generation
survivors—in other words, those born and/or
raised in cults. As a potential area for expansion
in cult-recovery research, authors could continue
to explore and advance theories and approaches
for working with former second- and multiple-
generation cult members.
Some authors, including Steve Eichel, Rosanne
Henry, and Lorna Goldberg, have specifically
taken the time to discuss second-generation
survivors. As some writers point out, the issues
for those born and raised within a cultic
environment can be much more traumatic than
for those who join later on in life, and can
include developmental and attachment
challenges from which these survivors may have
a difficult time recovering.
Regarding those born and/or raised in cults, a
noted absence from the book is a discussion
about people born and raised in cults having to
leave behind family and friends in the cult.
Perhaps in a follow-on book, authors could also
discuss issues related to the trauma of leaving
family, friends, and one’s history behind and
entering an often-unknown or unfamiliar world
outside of the cult.
As another minor point, mental health clinicians
in general are moving toward more evidenced-
based clinical research. Although most chapters
are supported by current, evidenced-based
research, some chapters seem to lack the
research base to support the methods and
interventions the authors present. There are
notable exceptions. The chapters by Kendall,
Eichel, Marshall, and Jenkinson are structured as
research- and evidence-based interventions.
Overall, Cult Recovery: A Clinician’s Guide to
Working With Former Members and Family is
an excellent resource for mental health clinicians
and students studying to become mental health-
care workers. The Clinician’s Guide… provides
excellent information about the multifaceted
levels of expertise needed for counseling former
cult members. I would highly recommend this
resource as an introduction to students in the
mental health-care field, clinicians, former cult
members, and loved ones of former and current
members. The chapters provide excellent
information and resources for counseling and
understanding this population. As Richard A.
Chefetz, a medical doctor in private practice in
Washington, DC, states on the back cover of the
book, “If you read one book about
psychotherapeutic approaches to recovery from
the morbidity of cult membership, then read Cult
Recovery … This book is a MUST.” I, as both a
