"The Journey", Monet's Boat, Giverny, France, 2007, photo by C Russell

A WORKSHOP FOR FORMER MEMBERS AND ADULT CHILDREN OF CULTS OR HIGH-DEMAND GROUPS was held on Sunday, June 27, 2010, from 1:00–5:00 p.m. in Mill Valley, CA (10 miles north of San Francisco). Colleen Russell, L.M.F.T., C.G.P. and Janja Lalich, Ph.D. co-facilitated their second workshop together and plan to offer more throughout the year.  Dr. Lalich presented on her "bounded choice" model and "brainwashing" in the first half of the workshop.  After a 20 minute break with light refreshments at a pleasant spot around a picnic table under an oak tree, the workshop continued with  readings by former members and open discussion of current issues relevant to participants' lives. The workshop goal is to provide a safe, respectful environment in which participants may gain increased understanding and support for their cult and post-cult experience.  Janja Lalich is Professor of Sociology, CSU Chico, and a specialist in extremism, cults & coercive situations. She is author of Take Back Your Life: Recovery from Cults and Abusive Relationships and Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults.

Colleen Russell, LMFT, CGP, facilitated a Workshops For Former Members of Cults including Second Generation Adults, those born and/or raised in cults, in Mill Valley, CA on Saturday, December 5th, 2009, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. 

Please contact Colleen Russell at crussellmft@earthlink.net or 415.383.7721
with questions or if you are interested in attending.  The date for the next workshop is to be announced.

Colleen Russell, LMFT, CGP, gave a presentation at the NORTHERN CALIFORNIA GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY SOCIETY'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Asilomar Conference Center on the coast in Pacific Grove, CA, June 6th, 2010.  The title of her presentation was, "From Cults To Group For Former Members:  Opportunities for Healing and Change."  With an attentive, interested audience, she described, among other issues, various categories, structure and dynamics of cults; observed personality disorders of cult leaders; the harm caused to "true believers;" the process of leaving; and how the group and other life experience helps people disconfirm inaccurate, self-limiting, deeply-held  beliefs, a part of the process of recovery that frees cult survivors to pursue healthy goals.

An On-Going MOTHERLESS DAUGHTERS GROUP, an exploratory, supportive and educational group, currently in its 12th year, is offered every other Monday, from 6:30 - 8:00 PM, in Mill Valley, CA. Women who have lost their mothers in childhood, adolescence or adulthood meet in a safe, respectful environment to explore many aspects related to mother loss along with relevant issues in their current lives.  Topics addressed include: loss and grief, trust, family of origin issues, dads and step-mothers, intimate relationships, motherless mothers, mothering oneself, disconfirming inaccurate, self-limiting beliefs internalized through traumatic events, challenges, successes, goals. Colleen Russell,  experienced Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) facilitates. For additional information and to schedule an individual consultation to determine if this group is the preferred option for your individual needs please call: 415.383.7721. 

An On-Going GROUP FOR FORMER MEMBERS of cults or high-demand groups, currently in its eighth year, meets every other Saturday, from 4:00 - 6:00 in Mill Valley, CA. This is a safe, respectful, exploratory, educational,  and supportive group in which former members address issues related to their cult experience and current lives.  Such issues include: cult characteristics, recruitment and indoctrination tactics, thought reform, disconfirming inaccurate, self-limiting beliefs internalized through thought reform, critical thinking skills, personal rights, loss and grief, regulating emotions, healthy boundaries, relationships, connecting to society-at-large, successes, challenges, goals. Participants gain mutual support, share perceptions, and learn from each other.   Colleen Russell,  experienced Certified Group Psychotherapist (CGP) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) facilitates.  For additional information and to schedule an individual consultation to determine if this group is the preferred option for your individual needs please call: 415.383.7721. 

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