VOLUME 13 |ISSUE 3 |2022 15
during his 14 years in two different eastern meditation
groups: Transcendental Meditation and International
Society of Divine Love. And thus began his career as
a cult intervention and recovery specialist. Joe has
helped thousands re-evaluate and heal.
If you have attended an ICSA event, you were likely to
be warmly greeted at the registration desk by Joe. He
joined with Carol Giambalvo in offering workshops for
former members at ICSA events and local meetings.
Based upon his own experience and how he exited, Joe
has continually advocated for the value of openness
and dialogue with those with whom you disagree. I
can’t think of a person who embodies ICSA’s culture of
openness and dialogue more than Joe.
Joseph F. Kelly, a graduate of Temple University with
a focus on religion, has been a cult intervention
specialist, thought reform consultant/exit counselor
and mediator since 1989. He is a co-author of “Ethical
Standards for Thought Reform Consultants,” published
in ICSA’s Cultic Studies Journal, and contributed a
chapter to Captive Hearts, Captive Minds by Madeleine
Tobias and Janja Lalich. For many years, he was the
News Desk Editor of ICSA Today.
Joe has also facilitated ICSA workshops for families and
has lectured extensively in Canada, Spain, Belgium,
Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands, France,
China, Cyprus, the UK, and elsewhere on cult-related
topics such as
• inner experience and conversion
• hypnosis and trance
• helping families address a loved one’s group
involvement
• ISKCON, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Transcendental
Meditation, yoga, qigong, and many more.
It’s my pleasure to present Joseph Kelly with ICSA’s
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.
ICSA 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award
Acceptance by Joseph Kelly
I am both humbled and pleased that I was chosen as the 2022
recipient of ICSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you to
the Board of Directors of ICSA and Michael Langone, whose
stewardship through these last 40 years has been instrumental in
keeping cult awareness alive in our community. I spent the last 32
years working with some of the most brave and amazing people,
families, and former members who have come out of toxic cultic
situations and who have gone on to report a healthy and full life.
The part that I played in that for any of you is the satisfaction that
I gained from the work that we do. I can’t thank you enough for
this honor. I’m also glad to report that there’s a new generation
of people who are studying the issues of undue influence and
coercive control. It is vital that this information be passed on. For
them, I support and encourage you to continue to fight the good
fight.
Again, thank you.
during his 14 years in two different eastern meditation
groups: Transcendental Meditation and International
Society of Divine Love. And thus began his career as
a cult intervention and recovery specialist. Joe has
helped thousands re-evaluate and heal.
If you have attended an ICSA event, you were likely to
be warmly greeted at the registration desk by Joe. He
joined with Carol Giambalvo in offering workshops for
former members at ICSA events and local meetings.
Based upon his own experience and how he exited, Joe
has continually advocated for the value of openness
and dialogue with those with whom you disagree. I
can’t think of a person who embodies ICSA’s culture of
openness and dialogue more than Joe.
Joseph F. Kelly, a graduate of Temple University with
a focus on religion, has been a cult intervention
specialist, thought reform consultant/exit counselor
and mediator since 1989. He is a co-author of “Ethical
Standards for Thought Reform Consultants,” published
in ICSA’s Cultic Studies Journal, and contributed a
chapter to Captive Hearts, Captive Minds by Madeleine
Tobias and Janja Lalich. For many years, he was the
News Desk Editor of ICSA Today.
Joe has also facilitated ICSA workshops for families and
has lectured extensively in Canada, Spain, Belgium,
Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands, France,
China, Cyprus, the UK, and elsewhere on cult-related
topics such as
• inner experience and conversion
• hypnosis and trance
• helping families address a loved one’s group
involvement
• ISKCON, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Transcendental
Meditation, yoga, qigong, and many more.
It’s my pleasure to present Joseph Kelly with ICSA’s
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award.
ICSA 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award
Acceptance by Joseph Kelly
I am both humbled and pleased that I was chosen as the 2022
recipient of ICSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you to
the Board of Directors of ICSA and Michael Langone, whose
stewardship through these last 40 years has been instrumental in
keeping cult awareness alive in our community. I spent the last 32
years working with some of the most brave and amazing people,
families, and former members who have come out of toxic cultic
situations and who have gone on to report a healthy and full life.
The part that I played in that for any of you is the satisfaction that
I gained from the work that we do. I can’t thank you enough for
this honor. I’m also glad to report that there’s a new generation
of people who are studying the issues of undue influence and
coercive control. It is vital that this information be passed on. For
them, I support and encourage you to continue to fight the good
fight.
Again, thank you.
