Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 14, No. 1, 1997, page 92
from me to feel safe in here?” These types of questions empower clients by having them
participate in the creation of a safe environment.
Power Analysis
Once a safe environment has been established, the counselor can, together with the client,
engage in a power analysis. McWhirter (1994) suggested that a power analysis helps clients
see how their life context kept them in a powerless position. Conducting a power analysis
will help women see how they were kept oppressed by a dominant force (Worell &Remer,
1992). Survivors of cultic relationships can benefit from acknowledging how they were
powerless in the cultic environment. This sort of analysis will help clients move from self-
blame to putting responsibility for the abuse onto the cultic leader. Once they have accepted
the powerlessness of having been in the cultic environment, clients can be encouraged for
now taking responsibility for their healing.
An example of an effective power analysis is provided in the dialogue below. The client,
“Joanne,” was involved with a religious cult for 7 years. At the time she joined, she had
been experiencing a lengthy divorce she was lonely, vulnerable, and trying to put her life
together. She doesn‟t remember exactly how she got so involved in the cult. The leader was
charismatic and made her promises of love, family, and financial security. Joanne described
the relationship as one in which she was terrified if she did not obey everything the leader
told her. Demands ranged from sexual favors for the leader (and no one else), praying to
him, and giving him all her possessions. Eventually, Joanne was able to leave the cult, and
had had some exit counseling prior to therapy. In the following dialogue the counselor is
conducting a power analysis:
Counselor: “When you were in the cult who had the power?”
Joanne: “Well, I never told him to leave me alone.”
Counselor: “Who was the powerful one?”
Joanne: “I guess the leader.”
Counselor: “It seems like you are reluctant to blame him for the
harm he has caused you. It must be difficult for you to accept that what he did
hurt you so badly and manipulated you.”
Joanne: “I should have been able to do something when this was happening.”
Counselor: “I can‟t imagine myself being able to tell a leader such
as the one you were with to stop. I can imagine you were very frightened. He
hurt you and took away so much. I can tell how tough this has been on you and
admire your courage. I wonder who has the responsibility for your healing now?”
Joanne: “I don‟t know.”
Counselor: “Even though this has been very painful, it seems to me
you are taking a lot of responsibility for your healing --like being here today.”
Joanne: “Yeah.” (starts to cry)
Counselor: “It is so painful.” (silence) “I can imagine how painful
and frightening it must be to realize that you do have your own power now.”
This sample dialogue provides possible words that can be empowering. However, words
alone do not give essence to the spirit of empowerment and conducting a power analysis in
session. Empowerment is also a nonverbal way of being which indicates to clients that the
counselor believes in their unique way of healing.
An empowerment model needs to incorporate both a personal, interpersonal, and social
component, dealing not only with the intrapsychic functions but also the female client
herself within the context of her relationships and social environment (Worell &Remer,
1992). Rosedale (1995) discusses special issues related to women when they emerge from
groups. He states:
from me to feel safe in here?” These types of questions empower clients by having them
participate in the creation of a safe environment.
Power Analysis
Once a safe environment has been established, the counselor can, together with the client,
engage in a power analysis. McWhirter (1994) suggested that a power analysis helps clients
see how their life context kept them in a powerless position. Conducting a power analysis
will help women see how they were kept oppressed by a dominant force (Worell &Remer,
1992). Survivors of cultic relationships can benefit from acknowledging how they were
powerless in the cultic environment. This sort of analysis will help clients move from self-
blame to putting responsibility for the abuse onto the cultic leader. Once they have accepted
the powerlessness of having been in the cultic environment, clients can be encouraged for
now taking responsibility for their healing.
An example of an effective power analysis is provided in the dialogue below. The client,
“Joanne,” was involved with a religious cult for 7 years. At the time she joined, she had
been experiencing a lengthy divorce she was lonely, vulnerable, and trying to put her life
together. She doesn‟t remember exactly how she got so involved in the cult. The leader was
charismatic and made her promises of love, family, and financial security. Joanne described
the relationship as one in which she was terrified if she did not obey everything the leader
told her. Demands ranged from sexual favors for the leader (and no one else), praying to
him, and giving him all her possessions. Eventually, Joanne was able to leave the cult, and
had had some exit counseling prior to therapy. In the following dialogue the counselor is
conducting a power analysis:
Counselor: “When you were in the cult who had the power?”
Joanne: “Well, I never told him to leave me alone.”
Counselor: “Who was the powerful one?”
Joanne: “I guess the leader.”
Counselor: “It seems like you are reluctant to blame him for the
harm he has caused you. It must be difficult for you to accept that what he did
hurt you so badly and manipulated you.”
Joanne: “I should have been able to do something when this was happening.”
Counselor: “I can‟t imagine myself being able to tell a leader such
as the one you were with to stop. I can imagine you were very frightened. He
hurt you and took away so much. I can tell how tough this has been on you and
admire your courage. I wonder who has the responsibility for your healing now?”
Joanne: “I don‟t know.”
Counselor: “Even though this has been very painful, it seems to me
you are taking a lot of responsibility for your healing --like being here today.”
Joanne: “Yeah.” (starts to cry)
Counselor: “It is so painful.” (silence) “I can imagine how painful
and frightening it must be to realize that you do have your own power now.”
This sample dialogue provides possible words that can be empowering. However, words
alone do not give essence to the spirit of empowerment and conducting a power analysis in
session. Empowerment is also a nonverbal way of being which indicates to clients that the
counselor believes in their unique way of healing.
An empowerment model needs to incorporate both a personal, interpersonal, and social
component, dealing not only with the intrapsychic functions but also the female client
herself within the context of her relationships and social environment (Worell &Remer,
1992). Rosedale (1995) discusses special issues related to women when they emerge from
groups. He states:
