Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 18, 2001, Page 89
experiences may serve to moderate ex-members experiences of loss of self-esteem, guilt
and shame because of their involvement. A group format also ideally provides a safe and
open environment for processing ex-members residual concerns or feelings about their
participation in groups and the role of authority. These same issues also suggest a need for
caution in working with at least a subset of ex-members of USCs. The group facilitator must
not allow the group to replay unhealthy patterns of the original communities. There may be
clients who tend to surrender their own authority to the group facilitator, the goals of the
group, or the group itself. Clients may tend to become dependent upon the therapy group,
and similarly surrender their own authority. It is the responsibility of the facilitator to avoid
these pitfalls in the design and execution of the group. The use of steps outlined by Yalom
(1995) for establishing therapy groups may be used as a basic tool for initiating the group.
A brief discussion of aspects of the process unique to this population and approach will be
presented below.
Screening
The approach as designed would be appropriate for groups of ex-members of USCs who
have a level of function similar to others in the group. It has also been developed for a
population with moderate trauma, not for those who became involved as children, or those
in crisis. To confirm a workable group composition, pre-screening of prospective members in
person or by phone would be important. Screening should include questions about age at
first involvement with one or more USCs, the number of USCs in which the client was a
member, the duration of involvement in each, the intensity of involvement (residential
situation, number of meetings per week, amount of time separate from the community,
work and money integrated with the community, friends separate from the community),
and the amount of time that has passed since the end of involvement. Other general
questions may include family, work history and psychological histories. The psychological
history may include information about previous counseling, any diagnoses received,
medications prescribed, hospitalization and suicidality. A disclosure statement about the
group and written questionnaire may also be given to prospective clients for review prior to
the first meeting.
The information received may then be used to select individuals for the group and to make
recommendations to appropriate referrals for others.
Initiating the Group
All group members will have received information prior to the first meeting that describes
what they may expect at the meetings. The information may also include any basic ground
rules for group operation, such as the maintenance of confidentiality of anything discussed
within the group.
During the first meeting, clients will be given a chance to tell their story as to why they
have come, and about the USCs with which they have been associated. As group members
are comfortable they can share what issues they have dealt with since leaving the USCs. It
would be beneficial if the facilitator also discloses background information as to his or her
involvement in USCs and the nature of his or her interest in the topic. It would not be
suitable for the facilitator to use the group‘s time to process personal material as always,
the facilitator should seek outside consultation for personal material. But the group may be
less inclined to over-invest in the authority of the facilitator if he or she contributes
appropriately in an open manner from the beginning.
The facilitator may also explain the expected process of the group, including a verbal
introduction to the use of handouts and stories, that a limited number of those documents
are available, and that the use of the handouts and stories will be tapered off as the group
proceeds. After the handouts and stories are spent, the group will either continue without
experiences may serve to moderate ex-members experiences of loss of self-esteem, guilt
and shame because of their involvement. A group format also ideally provides a safe and
open environment for processing ex-members residual concerns or feelings about their
participation in groups and the role of authority. These same issues also suggest a need for
caution in working with at least a subset of ex-members of USCs. The group facilitator must
not allow the group to replay unhealthy patterns of the original communities. There may be
clients who tend to surrender their own authority to the group facilitator, the goals of the
group, or the group itself. Clients may tend to become dependent upon the therapy group,
and similarly surrender their own authority. It is the responsibility of the facilitator to avoid
these pitfalls in the design and execution of the group. The use of steps outlined by Yalom
(1995) for establishing therapy groups may be used as a basic tool for initiating the group.
A brief discussion of aspects of the process unique to this population and approach will be
presented below.
Screening
The approach as designed would be appropriate for groups of ex-members of USCs who
have a level of function similar to others in the group. It has also been developed for a
population with moderate trauma, not for those who became involved as children, or those
in crisis. To confirm a workable group composition, pre-screening of prospective members in
person or by phone would be important. Screening should include questions about age at
first involvement with one or more USCs, the number of USCs in which the client was a
member, the duration of involvement in each, the intensity of involvement (residential
situation, number of meetings per week, amount of time separate from the community,
work and money integrated with the community, friends separate from the community),
and the amount of time that has passed since the end of involvement. Other general
questions may include family, work history and psychological histories. The psychological
history may include information about previous counseling, any diagnoses received,
medications prescribed, hospitalization and suicidality. A disclosure statement about the
group and written questionnaire may also be given to prospective clients for review prior to
the first meeting.
The information received may then be used to select individuals for the group and to make
recommendations to appropriate referrals for others.
Initiating the Group
All group members will have received information prior to the first meeting that describes
what they may expect at the meetings. The information may also include any basic ground
rules for group operation, such as the maintenance of confidentiality of anything discussed
within the group.
During the first meeting, clients will be given a chance to tell their story as to why they
have come, and about the USCs with which they have been associated. As group members
are comfortable they can share what issues they have dealt with since leaving the USCs. It
would be beneficial if the facilitator also discloses background information as to his or her
involvement in USCs and the nature of his or her interest in the topic. It would not be
suitable for the facilitator to use the group‘s time to process personal material as always,
the facilitator should seek outside consultation for personal material. But the group may be
less inclined to over-invest in the authority of the facilitator if he or she contributes
appropriately in an open manner from the beginning.
The facilitator may also explain the expected process of the group, including a verbal
introduction to the use of handouts and stories, that a limited number of those documents
are available, and that the use of the handouts and stories will be tapered off as the group
proceeds. After the handouts and stories are spent, the group will either continue without
