Recovery from Abusive Groups Page 10
usually over several days. Conservatorship papers may or may not have been
granted. This type of intervention can be traumatic and, when performed on an
adult, may be declared illegal if charges are brought.
What makes this type of intervention so traumatic is that the loved one loses all
relationships with the cult instantaneously. Though this is often of great relief to
family and friends, it is an immediate and, therefore, traumatic sense of loss for
the individual, unlike the walkaway who has separated over time. It is my
opinion that this method of intervention should be used only after great
deliberation and as a last resort. Those who choose it should realize that they
may have to defend their decision in court. See Langone and Martin (1993) for a
discussion of the ethics of deprogramming.
Even when handled smoothly by a well-trained deprogrammer, this type of
"radical surgery" may cause scars and anxieties. Some families may have no
other choice, since most cultists are taught to flee any type of confrontation
about their involvement in the group. In addition, some cults teach their
followers to attack, escape, tune out, or commit suicide if confronted by a
"disbeliever" in a secured environment.
Exit Counseling
This intervention method is different from deprogramming in one very critical
way- individuals are not held against their will. Therefore, it is not illegal. It is
also not as traumatic for the individual. Cultists can leave if they choose and
are, therefore, more empowered than cultists in a forced deprogramming.
Empowerment can help to minimize the trauma of the intervention process
(Hassan, 1988).
This intervention method requires more interpersonal skill on the part of the
counselor. It also requires more upfront work with the family, preparing them
for their role in the intervention and the recovery.
Preparing the family can be very hard to do. Families often see the intervention
as the key part of the recovery process. But the work that follows the
intervention is the critical part of recovery. "Just get whoever out of that group
they can go on with their life." Exiting the cult is only the beginning of the work,
not the end of it.
The main goal in working family (and sometimes friends) is to build a well-
informed, healthy, support system that can help cultists during the intervention
as well as when they return home and start rebuilding their lives. Given that
some ex-cultists were in their groups 5-20 years, rebuilding their lives after the
intervention becomes a very significant issue.
Counseling the family before the intervention also helps to identify family
problems. All families have some problems. In order to build the healthiest
support system possible, these problems should be identified and addressed
prior to the intervention.
Working with the family only takes well-developed interpersonal skills, it takes
time. Time costs money. Some families cannot or will not spend the time and
usually over several days. Conservatorship papers may or may not have been
granted. This type of intervention can be traumatic and, when performed on an
adult, may be declared illegal if charges are brought.
What makes this type of intervention so traumatic is that the loved one loses all
relationships with the cult instantaneously. Though this is often of great relief to
family and friends, it is an immediate and, therefore, traumatic sense of loss for
the individual, unlike the walkaway who has separated over time. It is my
opinion that this method of intervention should be used only after great
deliberation and as a last resort. Those who choose it should realize that they
may have to defend their decision in court. See Langone and Martin (1993) for a
discussion of the ethics of deprogramming.
Even when handled smoothly by a well-trained deprogrammer, this type of
"radical surgery" may cause scars and anxieties. Some families may have no
other choice, since most cultists are taught to flee any type of confrontation
about their involvement in the group. In addition, some cults teach their
followers to attack, escape, tune out, or commit suicide if confronted by a
"disbeliever" in a secured environment.
Exit Counseling
This intervention method is different from deprogramming in one very critical
way- individuals are not held against their will. Therefore, it is not illegal. It is
also not as traumatic for the individual. Cultists can leave if they choose and
are, therefore, more empowered than cultists in a forced deprogramming.
Empowerment can help to minimize the trauma of the intervention process
(Hassan, 1988).
This intervention method requires more interpersonal skill on the part of the
counselor. It also requires more upfront work with the family, preparing them
for their role in the intervention and the recovery.
Preparing the family can be very hard to do. Families often see the intervention
as the key part of the recovery process. But the work that follows the
intervention is the critical part of recovery. "Just get whoever out of that group
they can go on with their life." Exiting the cult is only the beginning of the work,
not the end of it.
The main goal in working family (and sometimes friends) is to build a well-
informed, healthy, support system that can help cultists during the intervention
as well as when they return home and start rebuilding their lives. Given that
some ex-cultists were in their groups 5-20 years, rebuilding their lives after the
intervention becomes a very significant issue.
Counseling the family before the intervention also helps to identify family
problems. All families have some problems. In order to build the healthiest
support system possible, these problems should be identified and addressed
prior to the intervention.
Working with the family only takes well-developed interpersonal skills, it takes
time. Time costs money. Some families cannot or will not spend the time and
