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Cult Recovery Therapy: Healing, Reintegration, and Trauma-Informed Approaches with Alisha Powell, LCSW, PhD

Earn Continuing Education Credits (CEs): By listening to this episode, you can earn CEs if you join the Affirm Academy! To learn more and register, visit affirmmentalhealth.com, and click on the "Join the Affirm Academy" button.

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This Episode is Sponsored by Jane

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Episode Summary: Cults have long been a source of fascination, with high-profile cases like Jonestown, Waco, and NXIVM dominating headlines and documentaries. But beyond the sensational stories, cults and high-control groups are far more prevalent — and often much harder to identify — than most people realize.

In this episode of The Affirming Minds Podcast, host Shaina Siber is joined by Dr. Alisha Powell, PhD, LCSW, a psychotherapist specializing in racial trauma and religiously abusive organizations/cults. Together, they explore the psychological, emotional, and behavioral impacts of cult involvement, the clinical challenges survivors face in leaving, and trauma-informed therapeutic approaches that support healing, reintegration, and rebuilding identity.

Whether you’re a therapist looking to expand your toolkit or someone interested in understanding the lived experience of cult recovery, this conversation offers insights, compassion, and practical strategies.

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Topics Covered:

  • The psychological, emotional, and behavioral dynamics of cult involvement
  • Why the term “cult” is sociological and colloquial — and why groups rarely identify themselves this way
  • The unique vulnerabilities that make people susceptible to cult recruitment
  • Long-term impacts on identity development, grief, and trust
  • Two major clinical challenges in cult recovery: trauma/attachment wounds and reintegration into society
  • Trauma-informed, evidence-based therapeutic approaches — including narrative therapy — that support survivors in reclaiming autonomy and rebuilding trust

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About Our Guest: Dr. Alisha Powell, PhD, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in mental health and couples therapy, with a focus on racial trauma and religiously abusive organizations/cults. Her expertise has been featured in Bustle, Yahoo Lifestyle, Fast Company, Parade, Healthline, Romper, Thrive Global, MedTravelers, and Up Journey. She currently practices privately with individuals and couples.

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Resources: 

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Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The host, Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, is the Founder of Affirm Mental Health, an accredited CE provider. She receives financial compensation from Affirm Mental Health for the development and delivery of continuing education content. There are no other conflicts of interest to disclose.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for clinical training or treatment. If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please reach out to a licensed professional.

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