And, in part because they had been indoctrinated in the cult to believe that the group was always right, many former cultists consider themselves to be failures or seriously inadequate. Thus, former cultists often have interpersonal, vocational, spiritual, and intrapersonal conflicts and deficiencies. Although it can certainly be helpful, weekly psychotherapy may be insufficient for many former cultists. That is why many have attended special residential treatment programs. The Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center , for example, offers a comprehensive program of in-depth psychological assessment and treatment usually lasting two weeks.
Clients receive a full psychological test battery and assessment interview.
They participate in workshops that address common postcult problems, e.g., depression, grieving and loss, establishing career goals, spiritual issues. And all clients receive an intensive education on psychological manipulation, thought reform programs, and the cult conversion process. Also, as with the physically injured, most ex-cultists were relatively normal before they were seduced into a destructive group. Wellspring has conducted the only formal outcome evaluation study with the ex-cult rehabilitation population. The results are encouraging.