Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 8, No. 3, 2009, Page 19
Figure 6
Interventions Vary
Interventions vary in intent and intensity based on need and the current status of the cult
member. I am not about to describe the process of exit counseling in depth here. For that,
the reader can turn to other sources (Giambalvo, Hassan, Langone). My purpose is merely
to suggest that, to better advise a client regarding intervention approach, an exit counselor
must determine which stage a cult member is in.
Rabbit-in-the-Hat Stage
The seeker expresses curiosity after he has read literature, attended one meeting, or tried a
new technique for the first time. He has an attraction to, but does not yet express any
identification with, the group or movement. Locus of control remains in the self, which
continues to make choices with a wide frame of reference to the environment, family, and
friends. Intervention at this stage is relatively less intense. A good Internet exposé of the
cult, a critical book about it, or a conversation on the phone with an ex-member or exit
counselor can all work to curtail that attractive ―leap‖ of faith or entry by the individual into
a manipulated experience at a workshop or service.
Rabbit-Out-of-the-Hat Stage
The seeker has gone to a weekend or week-long intensive and comes back glowing with
affirmation. The seeker cum member engages in positive talk about the group and makes
effort to recruit. The member deflects any negative information and may not engage in
argument. At this ―honeymoon‖ stage, the exit counselor will advise the concerned persons
against argument or sharing negative information with the new member. A formal
intervention will require significant preparation of the concerned persons prior to any
meeting between the exit counselor and cult member. ―Preps‖ vary according to an exit
counselor‘s style and approach. Some counselors may require several days of therapeutic
sessions and even months of effort to regain rapport with the cult member before
intervention. Of course, noncoercive access to a meeting with the cult member must be
possible to arrange. Typically, if it is to succeed, the actual exit session can last two or more
days, and maybe a week.
Rabbit-on-the-Plateau Stage
At this stage, the cult member has been in for enough time (usually years) to have reached
saturation point regarding what the group actually offers. The member may even be one of
Pit or rut of
cult activity
and ideation
Exit perils
Leader’s
domain
Pit or rut
With good information,
the cultist emerges
into a wider frame of
reference and options.
Figure 6
Interventions Vary
Interventions vary in intent and intensity based on need and the current status of the cult
member. I am not about to describe the process of exit counseling in depth here. For that,
the reader can turn to other sources (Giambalvo, Hassan, Langone). My purpose is merely
to suggest that, to better advise a client regarding intervention approach, an exit counselor
must determine which stage a cult member is in.
Rabbit-in-the-Hat Stage
The seeker expresses curiosity after he has read literature, attended one meeting, or tried a
new technique for the first time. He has an attraction to, but does not yet express any
identification with, the group or movement. Locus of control remains in the self, which
continues to make choices with a wide frame of reference to the environment, family, and
friends. Intervention at this stage is relatively less intense. A good Internet exposé of the
cult, a critical book about it, or a conversation on the phone with an ex-member or exit
counselor can all work to curtail that attractive ―leap‖ of faith or entry by the individual into
a manipulated experience at a workshop or service.
Rabbit-Out-of-the-Hat Stage
The seeker has gone to a weekend or week-long intensive and comes back glowing with
affirmation. The seeker cum member engages in positive talk about the group and makes
effort to recruit. The member deflects any negative information and may not engage in
argument. At this ―honeymoon‖ stage, the exit counselor will advise the concerned persons
against argument or sharing negative information with the new member. A formal
intervention will require significant preparation of the concerned persons prior to any
meeting between the exit counselor and cult member. ―Preps‖ vary according to an exit
counselor‘s style and approach. Some counselors may require several days of therapeutic
sessions and even months of effort to regain rapport with the cult member before
intervention. Of course, noncoercive access to a meeting with the cult member must be
possible to arrange. Typically, if it is to succeed, the actual exit session can last two or more
days, and maybe a week.
Rabbit-on-the-Plateau Stage
At this stage, the cult member has been in for enough time (usually years) to have reached
saturation point regarding what the group actually offers. The member may even be one of
Pit or rut of
cult activity
and ideation
Exit perils
Leader’s
domain
Pit or rut
With good information,
the cultist emerges
into a wider frame of
reference and options.
