A Multimedia Guide for Recovering from Spiritual Abuse
Table of Contents
Cult Deprogramming
Overcoming Fear of Hell
Purity Culture is Rape Culture
Dissociation (the “cult” self & real self)
Narcissism in Cults
Origins of Taking the Bible Literally
On the Many “One True Churches”
Videos on Religious Trauma
Podcasts
Therapists & Group Therapy
Books
Divorce and Remarriage
Healthy Church Examples
Conferences
Cult Deprogramming
Dr. Steven Hassan, PhD,’s deprogramming course: link
Dr. Hassan’s BITE Model of Authoritarian Control: link
Note: Dr. Hassan sometimes conducts intensive several-day long deprogramming sessions with small groups of individuals. This is an amazing opportunity.
Overcoming Fear of Hell
Dr. Caleb Lack on overcoming fear of hell: link
Dr. Lack on treating religious fear: link
Video of a man sharing on how he got over his fear of hell: link
Curtis Childs discussing Swendenborg’s thoughts on:
Purity Culture is Rape Culture
Video on purity culture enabling rape: link
On how purity culture is damaging: link
The book, #ChurchToo: link
Dissociation (the “cult” self & real self)
Dr. Hassan’s post on dissociation from cult programming: link
Narcissism in Cults
Decoding narcissistic behavior in cults with Richard Grannon: link
The book, When Narcissism Comes to Church: link
Origins of Taking the Bible Literally
18 Ways the Bible has changed throughout history: link
Article on how & when the bible started being taken literally: link
On the Many “One True Churches”
Article comparing churches claiming to be the “one true church:” link
Videos on Religious Trauma
Bunch of great videos on overcoming religious trauma: link
Jim Palmer, former pastor, discusses 14 things religion doesn’t want you to know: link
Podcasts
Therapists & Group Therapy
Janice Selbie, RPC, is very reasonably priced ($150 per individual session), has a FREE support group, and is mentored by the woman who wrote the amazing book "Leaving the Fold." Her website is: https://www.divorcing-religion.com/about
Quincee Gideon, PsyD: She’s an expert. Her sessions are on the higher end of the price spectrum (~$500/session). Her website is: https://www.traumastery.com/
Dr. Winnell who wrote “Leaving the Fold,” has a free online support group: https://www.journeyfree.org/group-forum/
Natalie Feinblatt, PsyD: Also born & raised in a cult, Dr. Feinblatt is an expert in religious trauma and addictions. She also has a helpful Instagram account, and a lot of online resources: https://drnataliefeinblatt.com/
Diane Langberg, PhD., Christian psychologist: link
Books
All books by Steven A Hassan, PhD: link
A History of God: link
Leaving the Fold, by Dr. Marlene Winell: link
Conquering Shame & Codependency, by Darlene Lancer: link
Trusting Doubt, by Dr. Valerie Tarico: link
Sex and God, by Dr. Darrel Ray: link
Take Back Your Life: Recovery from Cults & Abusive Relationships, Dr. Janja Lalich: link
Bounded Choice: True Believers & Charismatic Cults, by Dr. Janja Lalich: link
Exiting the JW Cult, by Bonnie Zieman: link
Wayward; A Memoir of Spiritual Warfare & Sexual Purity, by Alice Greczyn: link
For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World, by Sasha Sagan: link
Recovery from Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological & Spiritual Abuse: link
Divorce and Remarriage
What the Bible Says about Divorce and Remarriage: link
Healthy Church Examples
It might be interesting to read through the websites of these churches (that happen to be in San Diego):
Conferences:
Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT): link
Thank you to cult recovery experts Dr. Steven A Hassan, Janice Seilbe, Dr. Quincee Gideon, & Dr. Caleb Lack, all of whom contributed to adding resources to this document.