HOW DO YOU DEFINE A CULT?

Many professionals attempt to define a cult. These definitions are controversial in academic circles because they can be so broad as to include all new religious movements (NRMs). There is a good article posted by the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) on the ambiguity of the term "cult."

How do I define a cult? To be honest, as a psychotherapist, I do not attempt to judge which groups are cultic. My concern is with my clients' understanding of their experiences.

I focus on cultic relationships. I define a relationship as cultic between an individual and any group when a personl experiences such high-intensity demands on one's time and resources that there is dysfunction in one or more core life areas: family, relationships, career or education, finances, community, law, spirituality, physical well-being, or emotional well-being.

Using this perspective, a cult would be any organization that knowingly encourages destructive cultic relationships with its members to achieve its own goals for power, money, need for approval, or personal gratification.

I focus on the cultic relationship because, in psychotherapy, personal responsibility is more powerful than blame.

Blame is about the past: Who did what to whom when and how many times. It's clear the blame for cultic abuse lies with cult leaders. They stand ready to exploit the vulnerabilities of their members — the loneliness, depression, idealism, gullibility, fear, and ambition all humans feel at one time or another.

Responsibility is about the future: Who will take the steps necessary to change in a positive direction. In psychotherapy, responsibility always lies with the client. Only the client can choose to improve his or her life.

This is true in treating cult recovery as well. The cult encouraged dysfunctional behavior. But the cult isn't going to change — or make one's life better. Only the client can change harmful patterns and move on. My work as a therapist is to facilitate the client discovering for him- or herself how to root out the destructive aftereffects of a cultic relationship.

If you believe you had a cultic relationship and continue to have difficulties, please contact me for an initial consultation. Together we'll explore your experience and find solutions to your challenges.