Deprogramming often worked very well but when it did not expensive legal reprisals could ensue. Cultists sometimes reported abusive treatment by deprogrammers. In any case, many deprogrammers would not tolerate coercion during interventions. This approach emphasizes education and dialogue about the true history and nature of the group and compares it with similar groups. It also addresses the nature of thought reform, mind control, and influence techniques like hypnosis.
Some exit counselors incorporate family therapy into their sessions.
I prefer the latter designation and I see myself more as an educator and communicator. Some of them specialize in exiting members from the group they left. When I work with an assistant, it is often an ex-member of the group in question but just as often it could be with another exit counselor. The team approach seems to work best in most cases. The intervention team usually includes two to four concerned family members and two exit counselors.