reFOCUS: Recovering Former Cultists' Support Network
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Recommended Reading
For years now, the highest recommended book on recovery
from cultic experiences, Captive Hearts, Captive Minds, has been out
of print. We are extremely pleased to announce that it is once again
available, under a new title: Take Back Your Life: Recovering from
Cults and Abusive Relationships. Janja Lalich, one of the
authors, says: "I revised and updated the book, as well as added new material.
Some of the new material includes a new section on those born and raised in
cults, more on what I call small "family" or "no-name" cults, more on
one-on-one cultic relationships, more information specifically for therapists
and helping professionals, such as a chaper on PTSD. The resources and
recommended reading lists have also been updated, and there is lots of other
new material. You can order the book directly from the publisher (link below)
or from Amazon. It will also be available on ICSA's web site:
http://www.cultinfobooks.com/
Take Back Your Life
Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships by Janja Lalich and Madeleine Tobias
Cult victims and those who have suffered abusive
relationships often suffer from fear, confusion, low-self esteem, and
post-traumatic stress. Take Back Your Life explains the seductive draw that
leads people into such situations, provides guidelines for assessing what
happened, and hands-on tools for getting back on track. Written for the
victims, their families, and professionals, this book leads readers through
the healing process. A resource list and numerous personal accounts of those
who have successfully made the transition to the �normal� world provide help
and inspiration.
About the Authors Madeleine Tobias, M.S., R.N., C.S., is the Clinical Coordinator and a psychotherapist at the Vet Center in White River Junction, Vermont, where she treats veterans who experienced combat and/or sexual trauma while in the military. Previously she had a private practice in Connecticut and was an exit counselor helping ex-members of cultic groups and relationships. Reviews
"Take Back
Your Life is an intelligent, well-written book that will be invaluable to
former cult members, their families, and anyone who wishes to understand the
cult phenomenon. This book will be a classic and will have to be added to
every cult watcher's library, where it will be consulted again and again."
Lorna Goldberg, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., and William Goldberg, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults, by Janja Lalich (University of California Press, 2004) As a way of understanding such perplexing events as the Heaven's Gate suicides, many have come to see those who join cults as needy, lost souls, unable to think for themselves. This compelling look at the cult phenomenon written for a wide audience, dispels such simple formulations by explaining how normal, intelligent people can give up years of their lives -- and sometimes their very lives -- to groups and beliefs that appear bizarre and irrational [to outsiders]. Janja offers a new, very understandable model for thought reform and cult/group dynamics. A must read! Available through ICSA's bookstore. Churches that Abuse and Combating Cult Mind Control,
by Steven Hassan Crazy Therapies: What Are They?
Do They Work? by Margaret Thaler Singer and Janja Lalich. Cults in Our Midst, by
Margaret Thaler Singer with Janja Lalich Cults: What Parents Should Know,
by Joan Ross & Dr Michael Langone Dangerous Persuaders, by
Louise Samways Family
Interventions for Cult-Affected Loved Ones,
by Carol Giambalvo Faith that Hurts, Faith that Heals,
by Steven Atterburn & Jack Felton How We Know What Isn't So: The
Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life, by Thomas Gilovich, The
Free Press, 1991 ISBN 0-02-911705-4 Influence: The New Psychology
of Modern Persuasion, by Robert B. Cialdini, Ph.D. Recovery from Cults:
Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse
edited by Michael Langone, Ph. D. Recovery from Abusive Groups,
by Wendy Ford Thought Reform and the Psychology of
Totalism, by R.J. Lifton, M.D. The Secret World of Cults,
by Jean Ritchie The Verbally Abusive Relationship and Verbal Abusive Survivors Speak Out on Relationship and Recovery, by Patricia Evans; Bob Adams, Inc Publishers 1992/1993 TM and cult mania by Michael A. Persinger, Norman J. Carrey & Lynn A. Suess. Describes and explains the psychological techniques and the commercial tricks by which cult mania can be induced. Trauma and Recovery: The aftermath of violence - from domestic abuse to political terror, by Judith Lewis Herman, M.D. Basic Books (HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. 1992 Toxic Faith: Understanding and
Overcoming Religious Addiction, by Jack Felton & Stephen Aterburn BOOKS ABOUT SPECIFIC GROUPS Damaged Disciples: Casualties of
Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding Movement, by Ron & Vicki
Burks The Discipling Dilemma, Ed.
Flavil R. Yeakley Discipling Ministries: An Inside Look,
by Danny Dixon From Dean's List to Dumpsters -- Why I Left Harvard to Join a Cult, by Jim Guerra. An excellent book about his experience in The Brethren, A/K/A Jim Roberts Group, A/K/A The Garbage Eaters. For more information on the group, see the parents' web site at http://members.tripod.com/~nfishel/index.html Book available from ICSA. Help At Any Cost: How the Troubled-Teen Industry Cons Parents and Hurts Kids, by Maja Szalavitz, The Penguin Group, Riverhead Books, New York. 2006 I Was Raised a Jehovah's Witness,
by Joe Hewitt Regaining Faith After Boston: An Insider's View, Sharen Meyers ISBN 1-56794-119-2 A look at how one recovers their faith in God after walking away from the Boston Movement. Available from Star Bible Publications, 800-433-7507 What Does the Boston Movement Teach? (Volumes I - III), by Dr Jerry Jones. Available from: Star Bible Publications, 800-433-7507 The Religion That Kills -- Christian Science: Abuse, Neglect and Mind Control. by Dr. Linda S. Kramer, Huntington House Publishers, 2000. To order: www.huntingtonhousebooks.com |
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