The Development of Post-Cult Counselling (now known as Walking Free Counselling)

 

Walking Free Counselling (previously Post-Cult Counsellinghvc) - has been researched and developed by Gillie Jenkinson who has nearly 30 years experience as a therapist. Her approach integrates years of clinical experience; Gestalt psychotherapy; pastoral counselling; her doctoral and masters research; other practitioners’ research; as well as her version of the thought-reform model originally developed by Dr Robert Jay Lifton and applied by Dr Paul Martin at Wellspring Retreat and Resource Centre.

Gillie understands the different therapeutic and practical needs required for “first generation adults" (FGAs), those who joined or were recruited into a coercive, cultic setting;  and "second generation"(SGAs) or "multi generation adults" (MGAs), those who were born and or raised in a coercive, cultic setting.

Gillie understands 'Third Culture Kids' (TCKs) and their specific therapeutic needs. She was herself born into another culture (Uganda, East Africa): these needs are in part related to transitioning from one culture to another, and adjusting to life outside that culture. 

 

Feedback from Gillie's clients (shared with permission):

The step by step approach of the workbook with explanation from Gillie was enlightening. Sometimes I realised things and issues that I had not seen or realised before. // So I am now living with my own authentic/autonomous self and I know what I want and will not allow - I know how to protect myself and nurture myself. I have learned that it really is okay to have needs and wants - I can now voice and pursue what I want and desire. [SGA ending review July 2024]

 

I was feeling 'lost' in myself, however since PCC I have been able to find my authentic self again, not the self that was portrayed or pushed onto me by the cult (pseudo-self). This is a huge improvement, and even others have noticed that there whas been a positive change in me. I am more relaxed, can enjoy and be present in the moment; I feel 'free' of some of the baggage and guilt from the cult. [FGA mid-term review May 2024)

 

My life has greatly transformed over the past three years in ways I could not have imagined. Starting over felt impossible after leaving  [the cult]. I will forever be grateful for the mountain of support and clarity you provided when I was at my lowest. Thank you again !!!! [Feedback 2 years after ending PCC - May 2023]

 

It is good to have focus on something physical and separated into stages so you can follow this path of recovery. It has been well thought out and detailed enough but not overwhelming. I like the effective but brief exercises you can do at the end of each section and how this allows for the feeling of active self contemplation and deliberation. [June 2023]

 

I was a victim of a highly complex and destructive one-to-one cultic relationship which impacted every aspect of my life. Until three years ago when I encountered Gillie, I had not found satisfactory therapeutic assistance to help me understand and recover from my situation. Gillie's therapeutic approach has been fundamental in assisting my recovery on a mental, emotional and physical level. As my situation was very complex I was astounded at Gillie's ability to retain and absorb information which enabled me to undo the confusion and construct a coherent narrative around my situation. Gillie's psycho-educational approach combined with her use of attachment theory has been a model that I feel has supported this therapeutic process unlike other approaches which I found ineffective as a cultic victim. Also, underlying Gillie's approach is her ability to build a warm, trusting relationship with strong ethical boundaries whilst allowing me to go at my own pace. Finally I feel that Gillie's therapeutic approach is invaluable in assisting cultic related trauma victims in their recovery. 

 

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2. Time Away in the Peak District

 

It is sometimes helpful for former members and survivors of coercive, cultic and spiritual abuse to spend an extended and intensive time in Walking Free Counselling to help them understand and clarify their experience. 'Time Away' has been designed to achieve just that.

 

In this section I describe Time Away for Walking Free Counselling although at this present time (August 2024) this is being delivered online via Zoom, rather than face-to-face in the Hope Valley. The principles behind it are the same although clients remain in their own home, if it is safe, or in another venue of their choice local to them. See my statement on the Home page.

 

Clients stay in accommodation of their choice in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District and have face-to-face sessions with Gillie in her consulting room.

Clients will usually have two x two hour sessions each day (total of four hours per day), subject to availability. The duration and structure of ‘Time Away’ varies from client to client but will be generally up to four days (16 hours).

The length of time allocated will be a mutual decision, although a recommendation will be provided following the mutual assessment, based on an individual’s needs.

Clients receive a Recovery Workbook in a folder with specially designed resources and reference materials to take away with them. Follow up phone or Zoom can also be arranged.

Therapy is charged at the hourly rate and excludes accommodation, food and travel expenses, which the client will arrange for themselves.

See our FAQs to find out more about working with Gillie and what to expect before counselling commences. To discuss the best support options and pricing

Contact us

 

 

"I just wanted to once again say a massive thanks for the time spent with me on my away time. I feel that you have given me some vital tools with which I can drill into the remaining vestiges of the cult mindset, and I am looking forward to this journey! Thank you for making me feel so welcome and at ease."

 

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3. Recovery Course/Workshop

 

It is sometimes helpful for former cult members to spend an extended and intensive time in Walking Free Counselling with other former members to help them understand and clarify their experience. The Recovery Course/Workshop has been designed to achieve just that.

 

The Recovery Courses take place on Zoom.

 

The aim of the Recovery Course/Workshop is to help you raise awareness and understanding of the dynamics involved in your membership, and to support your emotional healing and growth process alongside others with a similar experience. That is, to promote 'understanding' and 'healing'. 

 

We facilitate an interactive discussion by looking at various psychological areas (psychoeducation) and support you to apply these areas to your specific experiences. Hearing others’ stories can also help 'normalise' your own.

 

We provide you with a  Recovery Workbook and this is packed with information and worksheets and will help you understand more fully the dynamics of the cult environment and the specific impact this has had on you personally, as well as providing you with resources to take away with you.

 

We are aware of the potential for triggers and reminders of other group experiences and will, as experienced facilitators, address these issues both in the mutual assessment and in the group itself.

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We recognise that the needs of second (SGAs) & multi-generation adults (MGAs) are different to first generation adults (FGAs) and keep this in mind throughout. We can offer Recovery Courses for only SGAs, MGAs, or FGAs or mixed. We can offer Recovery Courses for those from the same cult or a mix from different cults.

 

The purpose of doing this Recovery Course is in part that you have ‘Time Away’ from the responsibilities of normal life and have time off work for the duration of the Course. You could consider doing it from a hotel or holiday accommodation with good internet access.

 

Have a look at our Events page to see if there is a Recovery Courses planned or

 

Contact us

 

Feedback from previous Hope Valley Recovery Workshop/Course

The best aspects were: "The shared experience of the group/understanding and discussing thought reform/the whole group interaction and engagement."

"Powerful, encouraging that there is a meaningful life post-cult."

"The Recovery Course has put into context the 'whys' behind the abuse and the feeling of being at odds with the world around me."

 

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Training 

 

Hope Valley Counselling offers training to therapists and other mental health professionals currently working with, or looking to work with, survivors and former members of:

 

• Abusive groups
• High-demand groups
• Cults or sects
• Coercive control in one-on-one cults or relationships, including psychopathic partner abuse 
• Group coercive control 
• Spiritual abuse

• Abusive New Religious Movements (NRMs)
• Religous trauma
• Undue influence

 

Training is also available for families and friends of former cult members, organisations, including Churches, and the wider community in order to help them understand the recovery process for these client groups.

 

The Hope Valley Certificate in The Walking Free Model: Counselling for Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse (previously known as the Certificate in Post-Cult Counselling), (C-WFM), is designed to train therapists to work with survivors of coercive, cultic and/or spiritually abusive groups and relationships using a psychoeducational Recovery Workbook developed by Dr Gillie Jenkinson. The Recovery Workbook is at the heart of The Walking Free Model and the basis of Gillie's book published by Routledge in May 2023 'Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse: A Workbook for Recovery and Growth'.  Gillie is planning to deliver the Certificate in 2025.  For more information check the Events page.

Hope Valley Counselling training is delivered by Dr Gillie Jenkinson, who has been offering support and training to professionals and the community for nearly 30 years.

 

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Training Programmes

 

See our scheduled speaking and events, or contact us to enquire about one of the following training programmes:

Working with former cult members and survivors of undue influence:

• The four phases of recovery and growth 
• Walking Free Counselling
• How to work with thought reform (or mind control)
• How to work with trauma - including rape, sexual and spiritual abuse

Other training programmes:

• Staffing a telephone helpline - particularly a rape, sexual abuse or cult recovery helpline
• Sand-tray therapy
• Gestalt Psychotherapy
• Self-care and vicarious trauma for those who work with trauma