Resources
A curated library of articles, guides, and frameworks for survivors, supporters, and professionals navigating the aftermath of high-control group involvement.
Filter by category
Many survivors spend years questioning whether their experience 'counts'. This guide explores what defines a high-control group and why the label matters less than the impact.
Steven Hassan's BITE model covers Behaviour, Information, Thought, and Emotional control. A practical introduction for survivors and supporters.
Leaving is only the beginning. This resource covers the disorientation, grief, and unexpected emotions that often follow, and why they're a normal part of the process.
Not all therapists are equipped to work with cult survivors. This guide covers what to look for, what questions to ask, and what red flags to watch for.
When the people closest to you don't understand what you've been through, it can feel isolating. Practical guidance for navigating these conversations.
For many survivors, leaving means losing contact with family members who remain in the group. This resource explores the grief of shunning and paths forward.
Robert Lifton's foundational framework for identifying thought reform environments, developed from his research with survivors of Chinese re-education programmes.
The psychological mechanisms that make it difficult to leave — even when you can see the harm. Understanding trauma bonding is a key part of recovery.
High-control groups often become the core of a member's identity. This resource explores what it means to rebuild a sense of self after leaving.
If someone you care about has recently left a high-control group, this guide offers practical advice on how to help without causing further harm.
A plain-language guide to the terminology used in cult recovery research and clinical practice, from BITE model to thought-stopping.
High-demand groups require total loyalty, control members' time and relationships, and punish dissent. This article explains the term, how it differs from 'cult', and why it matters for survivors.
Not all high-demand groups look the same. This article maps the spectrum from high-demand religion to coercive control, helping survivors locate their own experience.