Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse A Workbook for Recovery and Growth

This is an interactive self-help workbook and psychological road map to enable survivors of coercive, cultic and spiritual abuse to find healing, recovery and growth. This book provides a comprehensive guide to recovery, based on a tested model of post-cult counselling, and years of research and clinical experience. It is designed to help survivors of diverse abusive settings, including religious and spiritual, political, gangs, business, therapy and wellness and one-on-one relationships. The reader follows a beautifully illustrated journey through four Phases of recovery and growth, one Milestone at a time, to make sense of what has happened to them, learn how to walk free from psychological control and find resources for healing. The author includes stories from her own experience, detailing her path towards recovery and how she learned to come to terms with and overcome what happened to her. Written in accessible language, this workbook serves as both a self-help book for survivors and former members, and a guide for therapists working with them.

Part One: Setting the scene Part Two: Who am I? Part Three: Preparing for the journey Part Four: The Walking Free journey Region 1: Leave physically so you can begin to recover psychologically Milestone 1: Leaving physically Region 2: Leaving psychologically Milestone 2: Face your doubts Milestone 3: Diagnose your group or relationship Milestone 4: How confluent were you? Milestone 5: Introjects, critical thinking and phobias milestone 6: Who are YOU? Milestone 7: Understanding traumatic stress Milestone 8: Boundary-setting assertive anger – and rage Milestone 9: Healthy self-love Milestone 10: Thought reform Milestone 11: Recognising other controlling dynamics Milestone 12: Unmasking the leader Region 3: Heal emotionally Milestone 13: Emotional healing Region 4: Walking Free Milestone 14: Reflections Milestone 15: Moving on and Walking Free! Part Five: Seeking therapy Part Six: Advice for therapists

Gillie Jenkinson, PhD, is an accredited psychotherapist, international speaker and a director of Hope Valley Counselling. For over 25 years she has specialised, as therapist, researcher and trainer, in the challenges faced by those who have experienced coercive, cultic and spiritual abuse.