An increasing number of individuals are entering mainstream society who were born and/or raised in cults or closed, high-demand groups. In my work as a mental health professional specializing in trauma and recovery from spiritual abuse, I regularly encounter these individuals.
Lifetime Achievement Award
July 2011Barcelona, SpainMichael LangonePatrick Ryan has many talents. He won a writing award for contributions to his high school newspaper.He ran a million dollar business. He has a passion for computers, and his skills in this area areimpressive. He is a born entrepreneur.He should be rich. But he isn’t. Why?When…
The Definitional Ambiguity of “Cult” and ICSA’s Mission
Michael D. Langone, Ph.D. (This essay is a follow-up to “On Using the Term Cult.”) A central component of ICSA’s mission is to study psychological manipulation and abuse, especially as it manifests in cultic and other groups. Different people, however, attach different and usually imprecise meanings to the term “cult” (On…