ICSA International Conference 2026: Traumatic Narcissism: Thirty years of research and practical information for survivor recovery
Date: Thu, 2 Jul
Time: 10:40 – 12:10, PDT
Location: Hilton Bayfront, San Diego
Drawing on three decades of clinical practice and scholarship, Daniel Shaw presents an overview of traumatic narcissism theory and its application to understanding cult leaders and coercive relationships. Exploring the dynamics of seduction, domination, and subjugation trauma, the session examines how narcissistic control operates within high-demand groups and the lasting impact on followers. Attendees will gain practical insights into recovery, healing, and therapeutic approaches that support survivors of coercive control and undue influence.
Full Abstract
Beginning in 1996 with the essay “Traumatic Abuse in Cults: A Psychoanalytic Perspective,” up to the release in 2026 of his latest book, Traumatic Narcissism Theory: A Contemporary Introduction, Daniel Shaw has studied the psychology of the cult leader and the specific ways that they seduce and then subjugate followers. As a practicing trauma-informed psychotherapist, Shaw uses his understanding of the psychology and the behavior of the “traumatizing narcissist” as tools for the therapeutic healing and recovery of victims of “subjugation trauma.” This presentation, which is geared toward cult survivors as well as cult educators and cult-informed mental health professionals, Shaw summarizes his work of the last thirty years, providing accessible, practical information and tools in support of all those concerned with healing from coercive control and undue influence.
Trauma-Informed Psychotherapist
Daniel Shaw is a trauma-informed psychotherapist, author, and educator whose work focuses on cult dynamics, coercive control, and recovery from psychological abuse. Since publishing Traumatic Abuse in Cults: A Psychoanalytic Perspective in 1996, he has examined the ways narcissistic leaders establish and maintain domination over followers. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Shaw developed the concepts of traumatic narcissism and subjugation trauma to better understand the impact of coercive relationships and high-control environments. His work has contributed significantly to the fields of cultic studies, trauma recovery, and psychotherapy. His latest book, Traumatic Narcissism Theory: A Contemporary Introduction (2026), brings together decades of research and clinical insight into an accessible framework for understanding coercive influence and healing.
https://internationalculticstudies.org/events/the-traumatic-narcissism-theory/
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