Tag Archives: International Cultic Studies Association

Real People Getting Real Help…

Conference Handbook
Conference Handbook

Last week, I attended the International Cultic Studies (ICSA) conference in Washington, D.C. During the meetings and in between sessions, I found real people seeking and finding real help from those who could provide the insights and resources meant to further recovery from involvement in a high-demand group. I do not regret any of the changes in my schedule or the cost of attending the conference. My experience may not be exactly what other attendees encountered, but I believe the majority of the people around me felt the same as they left the conference.

Starting in February, I planned this trip. As new information was released, the excitement grew. One benefit I expected was to meet a few of the professionals whom I had been in contact with over these last few years. For various reasons, I had contacted professionals across the country involved in either the studies surrounding high demand groups or directly helping survivors. I met these folks and many more. There were people from many different nations as well as many from different States.
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ICSA Conference in Washington, DC July 3-5 2014

In an effort to provide information about resources that can be a help to those affected by high demand faith groups or any control group, this post shares information about the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Annual Conference in Washington, DC. The Conference will be from July 3rd through the 5th of this year. Preconference workshops will be opened on Wednesday, July 2nd. The information is explained here at the ICSA website.

The theme of the conference is “Government, Human Rights, and the Cult Phenomenon.”  However, talks are by no means limited to this theme.”

Who should attend? The program will be varied with numerous sessions pertinent to former members of cultic or other high-demand groups, families, helping professionals, researchers, and others. A track within the program will include sessions addressing aspects of the conference theme of government, human rights, and the cult phenomenon.”

(After you click to read the rest of the post, the Registration Form comes up. Use the slide bar to backup and read excerpts from the Agenda.)

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ICSA Discussion from June 2008: Growing up in Cults

Founded in 1979, the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. ICSA is tax-exempt, supports civil liberties, and is not affiliated with any religious or commercial organizations.The ICSA holds meetings around the world with different themes and various speakers. ICSA is a proven abundant source for help and insight into cults of all types in many different cultures. Their website can be found here. This post will review the content of a discussion group from an ICSA Conference which was held June 26-29 2008 in Philadelphia, PA. The full title of the discussion “Growing up in Cults: The Special Issues of Children in Cults and Second Generation Cults Members”, the moderator is/was Joyce Martella. The discussion group participants include Juliana Buhring discussing “Advocating for Children’s Rights”, Michael Martella, MFT- “The Mask We Make”, and Gina Cantena, MS., CNM, NP- “Post-Cult Identity Issues for Second Generation Adults.” The audio begins low and may need to be bumped up on your listening device. The video is long and I will only cover highlights. For a more full understanding, please listen to the entire discussion.

Why would I post this here? Many of my readers are former cult members, as well as family members of present and previous members of high demand faith groups – as we know them. This resource will help further the ongoing search for answers for many of the nagging questions that haunt former cult members and family members who have shut-out of their relative’s lives who are in these groups. The readers of this blog consist of survivors from several groups other than Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and for that- I take no credit. We will provide the video first, and then my comments.

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