Mar 21, 2020

Two-Week Webinar for Families and Former Members Free!

ICSA: Two-Week Webinar for Families and Former Members Free!
During this difficult time, ICSA is continuing to offer services for former cult members and resources designed to help thoughtful families and friends understand and respond to the complexity of a loved one’s cult involvement.

We understand that recovery for former cult members is ongoing, and the stress of a global pandemic may be contributing to very high levels of anxiety right now.

We are providing a free two week virtual events series that provides a selection of services/topics that ICSA has in an effort to help. This series will be streamed over Zoom. Many sessions will even have an expert available for Q&A at the end.

All talks listed are in US Eastern Time.

Monday 3/23/2020
8:00 PM - 8:30 PM
8:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Talk-back)
Introduction to Series "Cult Recovery and Family Support NOT Cancelled!"
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT, Ashlen Hilliard

Tuesday 3/24/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
Introduction and Overview of a Cult Model
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan

Wednesday 3/25/2020
Noon - 1:00 PM
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM (Talk-back)
Former Jehovah’s Witness Recovery Series: Interview with Gillie Jenkinson on the cult pseudo-identity and post-cult recovery.
Ashlen Hilliard, Gillie Jenkinson, PhD

Thursday 3/26/2020
8:00 PM - 9:25 PM
9:25 PM - 9:45 PM (Talk-back)
Former Jehovah’s Witness Recovery Series: Interview with Michael Shemwell on shunning.
Ashlen Hilliard, Michael Shemwell
Link to join: https://zoom.us/j/493693433 

Friday 3/27/2020
8:00 PM - 8:40 PM
ICSA History Collection Interview with Steve Eichel (Current President of ICSA)

Robert E. Schecter, PhD, interviewed Steve K. D. Eichel, PhD, on July 7, 2018 as part of a series of interviews designed to illuminate ICSA’s history. Dr. Eichel, who has served as ICSA’s president, discusses his early work in this field, including co-founding the counseling organization RETIRN. He also discusses changes he has observed in the field and his views on ICSA and its future.​

Saturday 3/28/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
Why people join groups, leave groups and stay? 
Why people join groups?
Why people stay in groups?
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan

Sunday 3/29/2020
Noon - 1:30 PM
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM (Talk-back)
Panel - Inside the Therapeutic Space w/ Ashley Allen and Doni Whitsett, PhD

Ashley Allen; Doni Whitsett In the Mental Health Cult field little, if anything, has been written about the therapeutic process from both the perspective of the therapist and the client. In contrast, much has been written by therapists and clients individually about the symptomology of former members, application of theoretical frameworks, case examples, and personal accounts. However, to our knowledge there has not been anything written or presented on the simultaneous experience of both the therapist and the client. This presentation is a unique opportunity to hear perspectives from “both sides of the couch.” It will open the door and give participants a chance to explore the therapeutic space from the point of view of a therapist, Dr. Doni Whitsett, and an SGA, Ashley Allen, MSW. We will share pertinent themes in the recovery process from our respective positions, highlight what worked and what didn’t, and explore the rationale behind those interventions. While each therapeutic experience is different and “one size doesn’t fit all,” this presentation will provide a fuller picture of the therapeutic process and jump start this important conversation.
 Ashley Allen and Doni Whitsett, PhD

Monday 3/30/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
Why do families become concerned?
a. Notice disturbing behavioral changes. 
b. Lack of contact. 
c. Major changes of goals. 
d. Disapprove of the group’s beliefs or practices. 
e. Don’t know anything about the group, so fear it. 
f. React against terms: “cult” “brainwashing”. 
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan

Tuesday 3/31/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM (with talkback)
A Prison of Shame and Fear: Understanding the Role of Shame in Cult Indoctrination and Recovery - Dan Shaw

Fear and shame are what bedevil all traumatized people, as they struggle to feel safe in a world where they have felt the trapped, helpless, powerlessness of traumatic experience. I explore in this talk how shame plays a part in successful cult recruitment; the role of shame in the cult leader’s psychology; the use of shame in cults as a means of control and domination; and the ways that shame haunts those who leave cults.
Dan Shaw

Wednesday 4/1/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
What approaches have families used to address their concerns? What has worked? 
a. What has not worked? 
b. Sharing Ideas About What Works Best? 
c. What can families do when these approaches are not feasible or appropriate. 
d. Why many groups don't fit the “cult” stereotype? 
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan 

Thursday 4/2/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
Intervention101 (an alternative) Approach, and how to assess your unique situation.
a. Do no harm. 
b. Who wins? The group, family or Member? 
c. How to Assess your unique situation? 
d. Ethical issues. 
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan

Friday 4/3/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
World views: 
a. How do people adopt a worldview? How can families  effectively communicate across worldviews? 
b. In our next session we will discuss why relationships are so important, and how to communicate with your loved one. 
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan

Saturday 4/4/2020
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Building Bridges; Leaving and Recovering from Cultic Groups and Relationships: A Webinar for Families and Former Members
Why are Relationships so important? How to improve communication? 
a. Developing problem-solving skills. 
b. Formulating a helping strategy. 
Rachel Bernstein, MS, LMFT Joseph Kelly, Patrick Ryan

Sunday 4/5/2020
8 PM - 8:30 PM
Therapy and Recovery
Rachel Bernstein

**To view the full schedule: http://ow.ly/2bGB50yRuCs  

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