Resources
New Book by Dr. Patrick J. Knapp
This book was originally a doctoral thesis, but was modified for a broader readership. It is most likely of benefit to academics or clinicians interested in understanding religious abuse and recovery.
This book was written primarily with clinicians in mind. Multiple authors provide excellent insights for the broad spectrum of counselors as they seek to best meet the needs of their religiously abused clients.
This book was written primarily for those with experience of religious abuse within a aberrant Christian environment and are seeking recovery.
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Two New Books on Religious Abuse Recovery -
Wounded Faith: Understanding and healing from spiritual abuse. Cult Recovery: A clinician's guide.
Book Reviews by Dr. Patrick J. Knapp
William Lobdale Losing my Religion
Michael J. Kruger Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church
Barbara Orlowski Spiritual Abuse Recovery
Watchman Nee Spiritual Authority
Michael Langone Recovery from Cults
Philip Yancey Disappointment with God: Three questions no one asks aloud
Lauren Hunter, Leaving Christian Science: 10 stories of new faith in Jesus Christ.
Kenneth J. Garrett, In the House of Friends: Understanding and healing from spiritual abuse in Christian Churches.
Eric Metaxas, Letter to the American Church.
Articles
Autobiography of Patrick J. Knapp (In revision)
The Place of Mind Control in the Cult Recovery Process (MA thesis) by Patrick J. Knapp
Logotherapy and Recovery from Religious Abuse by Patrick J. Knapp
A Short Evaluation of Watchman Nee by Patrick J. Knapp
The Latter Rain Movement parts I and 2 by Dr. Robert McGregor Wright
A helpful understanding regarding divorce and remarriage, by Dr. Craig Blomberg
Still Side by Side by Janet George (A concise explanation of biblical gender equality)
How a Dysfunctional Family Functions like a Cult by Jose Fernandez Aguado
Additional educational websites
International Cultic Studies Association
Free Books on line by Ron Enroth
Churches that Abuse – http://www.reveal.org/development/Churches_that_Abuse.pdf
Recovery from Churches that Abuse – http://www.reveal.org/development/Recovering_from_Churches_that_Abuse.pdf
Counseling resources
Carson Miles, MA LPC, 5690 DTC Blvd, Suite 120W, Greenwood Village, Co. 80111 phone 303-596-8586
Doug Feil, MS, LPC, Feil Counseling and Consulting, 6112 S. Devinney Way, Littleton, Co. 80127
https://www.feilcounselingandconsulting.com Littleton, Co. phone 720-689-4631
International Cultic Studies resources: https://www.icsahome.com/support/counseling-resources
Life-Recovery Coaching
Pat & Heidi Knapp – Details on the above Life-Recovery Coaching link above
Other books for understanding Spiritual or Religious abuse & recovery
I Can't Hear God Anymore: Life in a Dallas cult by Wendy J. Duncan
Boundaries: When to say Yes, when to say No, to take control of your life by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Being Human: The nature of spiritual experience by Ranald Macaulay & Jerram Barrs
Captive Hearts Captive Minds: Freedom and recovery from cults and abusive relationships by Madeleine Landau, Tobias & Janja Lalich
True Spirituality by Francis A. Schaeffer
Bounded Choice: True believers and charismatic cults by Janja Lalich
Families Where Grace is in Place: Getting free from the burden of pressuring, controlling and manipulating your spouse and children by Jeff VanVonderen
Leaving Christian Science: 10 Stories of new faith in Jesus Christ by Lauren Hunter
Out of the Cults and into the Church: Understanding and encouraging ex-cultists by Janis Hutchinson
Soulcraft: How God shapes us through relationships by Douglas D. Webster
Soul Repair: Rebuilding your spiritual life by Jeff VanVonderen, Dale & Juanita Ryan
In the House of Friends: Understanding and Healing from Spiritual Abuse in Christian Churches by Kenneth J. Garrett
The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse: Recognizing and escaping spiritual manipulation and false spiritual authority within the church by David Johnson & Jeff VanVonderen
Shepherds & Sheep: A Biblical View of Leading & Following by Jerram Barrs
Recovery From Cults: Help for victims of psychological and spiritual abuse – Editor Michael Langone
Organizations: The following links are provided, not necessarily fully-endorsed
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MeadowHaven – is a medium term (1-2 month) residential recovery center for those coming out of cults or religiously abusive environments.
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Freedom of Mind – Steve Hassan is author of “Combating Cult Mind Control” and “Releasing the Bonds”.
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Reveal – Reveal is an organization of former members of the International Churches of Christ (ICC) (ICOC), Boston Church of Christ/ “Boston Movement”, and Crossroads Church of Christ/”Crossroads Movement”.
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INFORM – INFORM (Information Network Focus on Religious Movements) is affiliated with the London School of Economics.
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International Cultic Studies Association (Previously known as the American Family Foundation) – The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) provides practical, cult-related resources and services for families, former group members, mental health professionals, clergy, attorneys, educators, and young people.
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Apologetics Index – Vast clearing house of cult-related news, information, resources, etc. One of the best sites on the Web regarding cults and abusive groups.
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Christians for Biblical Equality - Organization that educates on the importance of male/female equality
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Darkness to Light – a large Christian informational website providing thoughtful and carefully researched material on the topic of religious abuse and belief
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Cult News - information website on various newsworthy articles on religious abuse and resources for thought reform interventions.
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Witnesses for Jesus - a Christian information website for those particularly challenged by Jehovah Witnesses and Mormonism.
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Watchman Fellowship - a Christian information website with a well-informed large base of information about various groups
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Ananias - a Christian website, by former members of Christian Science for those seeking answers about Christian Science. Excellent resource for those struggling to understand and recover from Christian Science.
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Fellowship of former Christian Scientists - a Christian website, by former members of Christian Science for those seeking support and education for recovery. Another excellent resource for those struggling with recovery specific to Christian Science.
Currently there are at least four major, identifiable perspectives on how people best understand and recover from religious abuse. These basic theoretical viewpoints are:
(a) thought-reform or mind-control perspective,
(b) deliberative or Conversionist conceptualization,
(c) psychosocial needs-based perspective and finally
(d) dynamic-systems approach.
Both secular and faith-based (Christian) adherents can be variously identified in each of these perspectives. All these viewpoints have various strengths and limitations. Each is helpful to the extent possible, given the limitations of its assumptions. A larger contextual approach is helpful to better understand involvement in and recovery from religiously abusive environments.
As a result of decades of personal religious abuse recovery, study and coaching practice this book suggests an integrative model SECURE for the benefit of clinicians, supportive loved ones and former members.