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 

  • 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): 

  • Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church: link

  • Christ Church: link

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.