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.)
In previous posts, I have quoted from some of the material available from this group on their website. Their website has many resources. Last year, this conference was in Canada and I did not mention it. The location of this year’s Conference caught my attention and I felt a need to share it with my readers. The varied subjects on the agenda were very exciting for me. See the meeting agenda here. Meetings of interest include-
Wednesday:
– Family Workshop: Building Bridges (Patrick Ryan, Coordinator; Eileen Barker; Joseph Kelly; Shelly Rosen; Philip Simo; Doni Whitsett)
– Recovery Issues for SGAs (Leona Furnari; Rosanne Henry)
– Approaches to Spiritual Safety and Healing: The Safe Haven Network (Rev. Robert Pardon, Judy Pardon, Rev. Neil Damgaard)
Thursday:
– Boundaries: Recognition and Repair After Leaving a Destructive Cult (Rosanne Henry) – Former members only
– Alternative Christian Evangelical Counseling Programs: Thought Reform Tool and Hindrance to Recovery? (Cynthia Kunsman & John Weaver)
– Outside In and Inside Out: Challenging the Interpsychic and Intragroup Dynamics that can Lead to Human Rights Violations in Social Groups (Catherine de Boer)
– Spiritual Recovery After a Cult Experience (Wendy & Doug Duncan; Molly Koshatka)
– Colliding Worldviews: Ministering to Those Traumatized in Bible-based Cults (Bob & Judy Pardon)
Friday:
– Workshop for Former Cult Members Who Were Parents in the Group (Lorna Goldberg) –Only for former members who were parents in their group.
– Government interventions in Canada, France, and the United States to protect children in isolated communities – A Panel (Lorraine Derocher, Livia Bardin, Jean-Yves Radigois)
– A New Integrative Model for Understanding Second Generation Adults Leaving a Faith-Based Cult (Cyndi Matthews)
– Modern Day Slavery or Consenting Adults? Polygamist Cults and the Violation of Human Rights (C. M. Katas, H. Seddighzadeh)
– Workshop: Writing for Physical and Emotional Well-Being (Sharon Farber)
Saturday:
– Research into What Helps Former Cult Members Recover from an Abusive Cult Experience (Gillie Jenkinson)
– Former Member De-Briefing (Carol Giambalvo) – For former members only
– Religious Fundamentalism Between Manipulation and Victimization (Anas Talbi)
My intention is not to repost the entire agenda. My hopes are to give enough to allow others to explore the agenda and the details around the entire Conference experience. I have personally spoken to a few of the speakers via email and telephone. It will be exciting to meet some of them in person. There should be enough time for anyone wanting to attend to make arrangements. Anyone deciding to attend please let me know.
I have included a copy of the registration form.
The Mission Statement of ICSA:
“ICSA’s mission is to help affected families and individuals, enhance the skills of helping professionals, promote research, and forewarn those who might become involved in harmful group situations.”
In full disclosure, as of this posting, I am not a member of the ICSA nor does my posting of their information intend to be their endorsement of this blog or the content on this blog. My purpose is to share the potential for good and for healing for the survivors of high demand groups such as the one I survived.
All that said, if you see something of interest to you, please consider attending. The possibilities for positive changes are immeasurable at this point.
And with that, let us remember:
“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan
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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 463.