Resources
If you or someone you care about has been affected by coercive control, a cult, or a high-demand group or relationship, you are not alone. Below are organizations and resources that can help.
Crisis Support
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a trained crisis counselor anytime.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788. Coercive control is a recognized form of domestic violence.
Cult & Coercive Control Organizations
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
Founded in 1979, ICSA is a global network providing education, research, and support for those affected by cults and coercive control. They maintain a directory of cult-informed therapists and host recovery workshops and conferences.
People Leave Cults
Offers cult intervention services, recovery resources, and virtual support groups for former members and their families. They collaborate with the Spiritual Abuse Forum for Education (SAFE) on regular meetups.
Dare to Doubt
Resources and information for those questioning, leaving, or recovering from cults and high-control groups.
Cult Education Institute
Research-based resource archive with thousands of articles, studies, and news stories about cults and coercive groups, maintained since 1996.
For Families & Loved Ones
If someone you love is involved in a coercive group or relationship, ICSA's family resources page is a good place to start. People Leave Cults also offers intervention and family support services.
Recovery is possible, and your concern matters. Many former members credit family and friends as a crucial part of their eventual exit.
Finding a Therapist
Working with a therapist who understands coercive control can make a real difference. ICSA maintains a Service Provider Directory of cult-informed clinicians, support groups, and researchers.
If you're looking for more general mental health support, Psychology Today's therapist finder allows you to search by specialty, including trauma, abuse, and coercive control.
If you'd like to talk with someone who has been through it, I offer peer consultation for survivors of coercive control. I'm not a licensed therapist, but I've lived it, and I'm glad to listen.