Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1991, Page 115
such issues as how the Krishnas convert their followers, the psychological effects of endless
chanting, parallels with other new religions which have also strayed from sanctity to savagery,
and why ISKCON appeals to certain mainstream theologians, civil libertarians, psychiatrists,
and sociologists. The authors remark on the discrepancy between doctrine and practice and
the evil of unrestrained religious power. However, they fail to consider carefully some of the
true evils of that doctrine, for instance, the paranoid belief that outsiders, karmis, are demons
or that transcendental trickery, or any act however destructive, is justified in the name of
Lord Krishna. They are sympathetic, perhaps naively, to the reform gurus and to the many
sincere devotees.
The squeamish may wish to skip Monkey on a Stick. This is much more than a book for thrill
seekers, however. For a diverse audience --teenagers, college-age religious seekers, civil
libertarians, theologians intrigued by Eastern religion, social scientists, police officers, and
anti-cultists --there are major messages.
Finally, as I write this review in the summer of 1991, according to The Cult Observer (Vol. 8,
No. 2, 1991),
The leader of the Hare Krishna spin-off community in West Virginia was convicted in
late March of authorizing murder, kidnapping, and beating of devotees to protect an
illegal, multimillion-dollar enterprise ...A jury found Kirtinananda Swami Bhaktipada,
53, guilty of mail fraud and racketeering, including being part of a conspiracy to
murder fringe member Charles St. Denis in 1983. Bhaktipada faces a maximum of 90
years in prison and more than $76 million in fines ...Bhaktipada lieutenant Jerry
Sheldon was convicted of racketeering and mail fraud, while Steve Fitzpatrick,
another lieutenant, was convicted of mail fraud.
Arthur A. Dole, Professor Emeritus
Psychology in Education Division
Graduate School of Education
University of Pennsylvania
Exit Counseling: A Family Intervention. Carol Giambalvo. Available from the
American Family Foundation, 1991, 33 pages.
In the Introduction, the author states that her monograph will dispel the myths and the aura
of "magical solutions" surrounding the process of family interventions. Many questions are
answered regarding what happens and what is expected during an exit counseling and family
intervention. The author's explanation is satisfactory for the generally uninformed family
concerned and sometimes bewildered with the experience of having a loved one involved in a
destructive cult.
The monograph is easy to read, providing many details which will enable a family to draw
parallels to their own situation and to prepare for an exit counseling. The author states that
each intervention is unique. "Unique" is the appropriate word as it comes from the Latin word
"unus," meaning "one." We work with one person and one person's concerns at a time.
Families often do not know what questions to ask ahead of time about the intervention
process. Giambalvo's booklet provides the general, common-sense details that are helpful to
families before an intervention. An intervention, or exit counseling, is the best way for a cult
member to make a clean break from a destructive group.
The "exiting" process involves coordinating the time and efforts of many people. Glitches will
occur. Press on! Keep focused on the goal. It is difficult to prearrange for 3 to 5 days of a
cult member's time, which the counselors need to complete the exit counseling process.

Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1991, Page 116
Negotiation is a must between families and the cult member. I advise families to "Prepare for
the worst, expect the best!" Let the counselors do their work.
Giambalvo explains in detail what exit counselors do during the intervention and how exit
counseling is accomplished. Under the topic of pre-intervention the author provides advice on
what to say and not say, the information gathering process, readings, logistical details
(timing, location, travel, etc.), post-cult rehabilitation facilities, and suggestions for presenting
the plan to the cultist.
The author's philosophy of intervention is based on an educational model with the goal of
helping the client re-evaluate his or her commitment to the group. The emphasis is on
sharing information at a pace that the client can manage. During the intervention the exit
counselors, after establishing the necessary rapport, explore the client's cult background,
teach the client about mind control, and help the client understand how mind-control factors
influenced his or her own cult experience.
The first step in the recovery process is taken when the client makes the decision to leave the
group. The author lists a number of issues that must be addressed. She omits, however, a
piece of advice that I believe is important: The client should avoid contact with the former
group and should have a feeling of being "protected" for a period of time.
I believe that Giambalvo is on target, however, when she stresses that follow-up and follow-
through are every bit as important as the intervention itself. When the counseling team
completes its work there is more for the family and the ex-cult member to do. The ex-cult
member needs rehabilitation and counseling to re-enter society and to get re-established in
the outside "real" world. Without follow-through the client may feel considerable distress and
might regress rather than progress. Care, compassion, and understanding are needed to help
the ex-cult member regain self-esteem and become functional in society. If the family does
not follow through with the counselor's post-intervention recommendations, there is a higher
possibility of a difficult re-entry into society.
I recommend this booklet as a handy reference for families to read before entering into an
intervention and exit counseling situation. The quick-fix solutions sometimes associated with
the term "exit counseling" are illusory. The fact is that exit counseling is hard work, done by
families, contact persons, counselors, rehabilitation personnel, and, most important of all, the
ex-member of the group. Moreover, communication, education, and planning are key to a
successful intervention. When families contact me after an intervention is completed, I ask
them for their recommendations to help me better prepare other families to cope while
getting ready for an intervention. Sometimes it takes years for a family to call me back and
they echo this thought over and over: "Communication, education, and planning helped me
get my loved one out of the group."
Judy Safransky, President
Cult Awareness Network, Tampa Bay
Cults on Campus: Continuing Challenge. Edited by Marcia Rudin. An
International Cult Education Program Book published by the American Family
Foundation, 1991, 126 pages.
This book provides the reader with significant current information regarding the cult
phenomenon particularly as it relates to cultic activities on college campuses. Edited by
Marcia Rudin, it includes articles by cult experts such as Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, Dr. Michael
D. Langone, William and Lorna Goldberg, and the Rev. Robert Watts Thornburg. Their
interests, broad in scope, range from such topics as Policy and Legal Issues, and Training
and Educating Students to Working with Cult-Affected Families.