People Rebuilding the jigsaw Gillie Jenkinson spent years in an abusive . Now she specialises in counselling others recovering from similar experiences

was thrilled when I discovered a psychological perspective, which caused cognitive dissonance in many Christianity in my late teens. The acknowledges the potential for harm: of the members, cognitive dissonance Ipeople I met were well meaning and ‘A group or movement that, to a being the emotional state set up when many were genuinely kind. Christianity significant degree there is a conflict between belief and answered many existential and exhibits great or excessive devotion behaviour5. It was a confusing and emotional questions for me, but or dedication to some person, idea, terrifying milieu to live in, and the sadly, at that stage in my life, I had or thing psychological imprisonment, like the neither learned to think critically nor uses a thought-reform programme dog in the electrocuted cage that does was I encouraged to do so. to persuade, control, and socialise not realise the door is open, was nearly I did not have a close mentor who members (ie to integrate them into total for me. At that point in my life, could help me make safe choices; the group’s unique pattern of I was living in an environment of indeed I did not think I needed to be relationships, beliefs, values and total control. wary; and my passion led me down a practices) I lost myself completely and had no road into ‘community’ (the in-thing in systematically induces states of thought of leaving – that would have the 1970s) and into what ultimately psychological dependency in been ‘rebellion’ and the punishment became an abusive cult. Like the members would have been eternal damnation allegorical frog being slowly heated exploits members to advance the or hell. I really believed that – it was in the pan, by the time I might have leadership’s goals not a metaphor to me – I could picture realised I was in hot water, it was too causes psychological harm to it, as I had heard it so many times late to get out. members, their families and the from the community. community.’ I have since come to realise that, in A word about the term ‘cult’ order to be a full member of the occur in any setting, including I cannot move away from the term community, I developed a ‘cult pseudo- psychotherapy, politics, , because there is at least some personality’6 of which I will say more, spirituality; and there are also ‘one- popular understanding that cults are later. I became very different to how on-one’ cults: a two-person intense phenomena that society has to I had been before joining, or how I am domestic abuse relationship where grapple with. Sadly there are many now. I was serious, lacking any humour; the more powerful partner asserts myths, and cult members are often intensely focused on my religious their superiority and leadership, seen as weird, crazy or plain stupid – beliefs (not boys as I had been before often on a spiritual level. ‘I couldn’t be duped like that’ being a – yet I was only 18); I stopped swearing The term ‘cult’ is controversial and common response to the genuinely (hard for my friends to imagine!) and raises many more questions than it outrageous and extreme stories that dressed quite differently – resembling does answers, but a suitable alternative occasionally get cited in the press1. a 1950s’ housewife instead of wearing has yet to be found1. I have been my usual long hippy dresses. asked: ‘Are all cults harmful?’ The My personal journey I learned many years later that answer to that question depends, of The community I joined in 1974 was others have written about the cult course, on how you define a cult. a breakaway independent group that pseudo-personality. Singer7 notes Langone2 states that, ‘Some groups was open and free to begin with but that it forms as part of the change may harm some people sometimes, which I have since come to see process expected in many cults. She and some groups may be more likely developed into an extremist adds that people take on a ‘new to harm people than other groups’. Of environment, with ‘all or nothing’ social identity, which may or may not course, some groups harm everyone, thinking. ‘Sin’ was punished by physical be obvious to an outsider’. Many groups such as the community that I joined. beatings, slapping, shunning and talk about being ‘transformed, Groups or relationships may be positive rebuking. The leadership redefined reborn, enlightened, empowered, in some aspects, but harmful and the word ‘sin’ to mean anything that re-birthed, or cleared’ (I would add pathological in others, and this can they disagreed with or that didn’t to that: saved, and surrendered). occur on a continuum within one comply with their requirements. They ‘The group-approved behaviour is setting and in relation to wider engendered regression and dependency. reinforced and reinterpreted as society3. Langone defined a cult in They engaged in illicit sexual contact demonstrating the emergence of the 19934 and there has been no reason with the women in their community new person. Members are expected to change this. His definition is from households and these double standards to display this new social identity’.

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Thought Appearance reform Influence Spirituality, values and beliefs

Trauma Hypnotism Money Anger and rage and and triggers altered states

Family Sexual Critical thinking and Practical issues abuse and choices friends

It is hard even now to share this such an abusive way. and was reminded of the community. soft underbelly of my experience. I know that I was naive and idealistic; I was now healed enough to realise It took many years to heal my heart, but West notes that idealism is a that I had finally had enough, and broken by spiritual abuse from a form positive aspect of spirituality8. Sadly, I left this latter abusive church, too. of ‘Christianity’ that had started out I believed the hard sell: that we – the I received psychoeducational exit so well. Over the years I have received community – would change the world counselling, which helped me to many different reactions from people and make it a better place. But as leave and understand what had I have spoken to about this time in the years passed and as my already happened to me. Giambalvo9 defines my life, ranging from: ‘How could underdeveloped critical faculties the purpose of exit counselling as you have done that to your family; were worn down, I did not question being to ‘promote critical thinking they must have been so worried whether we were actually saving the skills especially regarding the use of about you?’ to ‘I could never join world or what was going on. And so mind control. Exit counsellors will something like that’; and ‘If it was that the abuse continued. not violate clients’ rights to self- bad, surely you would have left?’. It is rare for a cult to do so, but in determination nor will they unduly Anecdotally, I know of others who 1981 the community I had joined, influence clients’ ideological or have received similar reactions. I have disbanded, following a coup by the spiritual orientation.’ rarely experienced shock from others women who were being abused in that a group that promised to bring the leader’s house. And I left. My professional journey God’s love, healing, life, creativity, I continued with church attendance At this point I decided that I wanted fun, Christian truth and to make the but did not examine the full force of to help others who had left an abusive THINKSTOCK world a better place, could wear the abuse until 14 years later, when cult and I began pastoral counselling / someone down and treat them in I attended another abusive church, diploma training. I was not able to HEMERA

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attend a secular training, as I was still others, so I specifically chose a dissociation7. The essential feature too afraid of the consequences of group-based training in order to of dissociation is a ‘disruption in the moving out of the Church/Christian attend to any residual group-based usually integrated functions of field of training. The diploma was a issues. The training proved to be consciousness, memory, identity, or vital part of healing my thought enriching and healing in many ways. perception. The disturbance may be processes because I met Christians In order to move my work and sudden or gradual, transient or chronic’. who were not immersed in cultic experience away from myself I decided (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual thinking, who were allowed to think to do research. For my final MA of Mental Disorders IV). I do think for themselves and therefore gave dissertation I asked eight self-confessed dissociation is present for many, if me the space and kindness to think ex cult members what had helped not most, former cult members, but for myself without any agenda other them recover from their abusive cult as a separate (coping) mechanism. than gaining my diploma. experience. The aim of the research was My research and experience with I initially decided to leave any to give former cult members a voice clients leads me to suggest that cult thoughts of working with ex cult and to investigate the most effective pseudo-personality is in fact an members on one side as I undertook therapeutic approach for them. introjected part of the personality that this core training and healed myself. Given my own experience of not needs chewing over and digesting, I did voluntary work with Cruse, being able to find a psychotherapist allowing what is nourishing to remain, Mind and Sheffield Rape and Sexual who was trained in working with the and eliminating the rest. Introjection Abuse Counselling Service. By the end cult problem, I hypothesised that many may be thought of as a ‘material way of the third year of my diploma in former cult members were probably of acting, feeling, evaluating – which 1998, however, I was starting to think similarly floundering around, trying you have taken into your system of about working with ex cult members to find the right sort of therapy. Paul behaviour but which you have not and tentatively informed my training Martin10, perhaps controversially, assimilated in such a fashion as to group that I was considering attending stated that it is only half true that make it a genuine part of your an International Cultic Studies former cult members should seek help organism, yourself’11. Association (ICSA) conference in from mental health professionals The cult experience needs chewing Chicago. I went to the conference, (therapists). He qualified this by saying over but if, as a therapist, you do not and ended up doing my dissertation that therapy is ‘only helpful if the understand the process of how this on the theme of ‘What does a pastoral therapist has some expertise regarding introjected cult pseudo-personality counsellor need to know about cults cultic phenomena. Unfortunately, has formed, how can you effectively and ex cult members to be an therapists have been known to fail help a client? Singer states: ‘The array effective helper?’ miserably if they are not sensitive to of necessary adjustments [post cult] As a result of attending the the issues of cult involvement.’ This can be summed up as coming out of conference I met Dr Paul Martin of statement intrigued me and verified the pseudo-personality. I present them Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center my own experience and that of in a sequence... a kind of peeling off in Ohio (www.wellspringretreat.org) others to whom I had spoken. of the outer layer of identity that was and he agreed that I could attend taken on while in the cult. The process Wellspring as an Intern, which I did in My research is a matter of recovering one’s self and the summer of 1999. That internship My data has highlighted a number one’s value system, and of keeping was where I learned the basic theory of areas that help former cult whatever good was learned during of working with ex cult members as members recover and I have spent cult days while discarding all the I shadowed him in the counselling the intervening years since 2005 not-so-good.’6 sessions and learned how the Center’s developing my thinking through I now work predominantly with psychoeducational ‘Thought Reform further reading, client work, former cult members, and the Model’ worked. Dr Martin became my returning to Wellspring, and writing. therapeutic approach that I have mentor until he tragically died in 2009 The heart of the recovery process found to be most effective in assisting of leukaemia. is helping clients to shed the cult recovery for these clients is a relational I had been attending therapy for pseudo-personality, described earlier, psychoeducational model. I envisage some years since starting my diploma. enabling them to return to the pre- the cult pseudo-personality being Although my first therapist had been cult personality and move forward laid down like pieces of a jigsaw unable to engage with the cult issues, into a post-cult personality. (Singer’s layers) and I use this metaphor my second, a Gestalt therapist, has I have investigated through reading with clients. Each psychoeducational always been open to my cult and clinical work how this cult pseudo- area I work on with clients is a piece experience and to learning from me. personality forms. Cult pseudo- of the jigsaw that correlates to the I loved her approach and in 2001 I personality is part of the conversion to layers of the cult pseudo-personality began an MA in Gestalt Psychotherapy. a new belief system and compliance laid down in the client while they were I felt it essential that I fully mechanism. A number of writers in the cult. The psychoeducational understood my cult experience before refer to it as a dissociated part of the subject areas needing to be addressed entering psychotherapy and completed personality. I suggest, however, that to facilitate recovery include: thought my own healing before working with cult pseudo-personality mimics reform (see Lifton’s work which

6 thresholds winter 2011 People explains how control and conversion I have since built a psychotherapy References occur12); influence; dealing with service with my husband; I am 1 Jenkinson G. Thresholds. Winter 2007; 14. trauma, including rape and sexual coordinator for a charity originally 2 Langone MD. Cults, psychological abuse; returning to family and friends set up by a couple born and raised in manipulation, and society: international (many former cult members have been a cultic group (www.encourage-cult- perspectives – an overview. Cultic cut off from their family); changing survivors.org); I have started to train Studies Journal. 2001; 18(2)1-12. the way they look (many cults expect other therapists to recognise the http://icsahome.com/ their members to adhere to a dress specific needs of ex cult members; 3 Kendall L. A psychological investigation code); sexuality (many have become and I have begun to gather a small into the effects of former membership of celibate or in some groups have had group of therapists together who extremist authoritarian . PhD thesis. to prostitute themselves to recruit would like to specialise in this work or Department of Psychology. Buckingham others); owning their own spirituality; at least find out more about it so that Chilterns University College; 2006. learning how to handle money and I can pass on what I have learned. 4 Langone MD. . WW practical issues of being in the ‘real I have been on this road now for Norton and Sons; 1993. world’ (many cults take all the many years; it has been a long journey 5 Reber AS, Reber E. The Penguin members’ money and the group takes and there is still much to do. dictionary of psychology. Third edition. control of managing money); and Penguin; 2001. other areas that are specific to that Gillie Jenkinson MA, UKCP, MBACP, APSCC 6 Jenkinson G. Cultic Studies Review. former cult member’s particular executive member, specialises in working 2008; 7(3):206. experience. with spiritual and cult abuse, offering I give each client a folder of psychotherapy, post-cult counselling, 7 Singer MT. . Jossey- Bass; 2003. handouts and resources so that, once training, supervision and consultancy. they understand the dynamics, they She is an international speaker and 8 West W. Spiritual issues in therapy. have the tools and resources to go co-authored chapter 13 ‘Pathological London: Palgrave Macmillan; 2004. forward with their recovery process Spirituality’ in Spirituality and Psychiatry, 9 Giambalvo C. Exit counselling. American without becoming dependent on me. RPsych Publications, 2009. Gillie will be Family Foundation (now International I have called this model ‘Post Cult facilitating a training titled ‘Effective Cultic Studies Association); 1995. CounsellingHVC’. The HVC stands for Therapy with Former Members of Abusive 10 Martin PM. Cult proofing your kids. Hope Valley Counselling and describes Groups and Relationships’ on May 11/12 London: Zondervan; 1993. my approach as opposed to any 2012 and in September – dates to be 11 Perls FS, Hefferline RF, Goodman P. other using a similar label. In order confirmed. She also facilitates a small Gestalt therapy: excitement and growth to overcome the challenge of people group in London for former cult members, in the human personality. Souvenir Press; living a long way from me and the which meets approximately every two 1951. time required to pass on the months. To contact Gillie, email 12 Lifton RJ. Thought reform and the psychoeducational information, [email protected] or visit psychology of totalism: a study of clients come and stay in a B&B or www.hopevalleycounselling.com ‘brainwashing’ in China. University of North holiday cottage in the beautiful Carolina Press. Reprint edition; 1989. Derbyshire Peak District. This is followed up by telephone sessions, if needed. Once the former cult member Resources and further reading understands what they have been through and can put the pieces of the • The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people jigsaw back together for themselves, concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative then they can work with any other movements, and other environments. ICSA’s mission is to apply research and open-minded therapist, with the professional perspectives on cultic groups to educate the public, and help those who knowledge of what has happened to have been harmed. ICSA is holding its annual international conference, titled them clearer in their own mind. ‘Manipulation and Victimisation’ in Montreal, Canada, from 5-7 July 2012. For more details, visit the ICSA website: www.icsahome.com Conclusion • The , London is a charity providing advice and information I find myself in my late 50s doing for victims of cults, their families and friends, researchers and the media. things that 30 year olds are doing. www.cultinformation.org.uk I lost my 20s to the cult I joined and • INFORM (The Information Network on Religious Movements) is an independent my 30s as a result of not realising charity that aims to provide information about alternative religious, spiritual and I was still lost in the cult mindset esoteric movements. www..ac (but the best thing is I had my lovely • Combating Cult Mind Control and Releasing the Bonds, by children then!). I therefore spent my www.freedomofmind.com prime studying and business-building • Take Back Your Life: Recovery from Abusive Groups and Relationships, by years in another ‘mental universe’ (to and Madeleine Tobias, 2006 borrow BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen’s • Cults in our Midst, by , 2003 description of Gaddafi’s world view).

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