Breaking Free, Cult Recovery and Reclaiming Identity - Life After Scientology #7 w/Rachel Bernstein

What if leaving a controlling organization feels like escaping an abusive relationship? This question forms the backbone of our conversation with Rachel Bernstein, a renowned therapist and cult recovery expert. Rachel shares her personal journey, sparked by her sibling's brief involvement in Scientology during their childhood, which led to shifts in family dynamics and piqued her lifelong curiosity. Together, we navigate the deceptive nature of cult front groups and the extreme measures Scientology employs to silence critics, revealing the monumental challenges faced by those supporting cult recovery.

Stories from individuals who have felt trapped within Scientology bring to light the parallels with abusive relationships, where fear of the outside world is ingrained. Support groups become lifelines, offering solidarity and community to those who have left, helping to reduce feelings of isolation. As we explore the gradual journey of recovery, we underscore the importance of recognizing the world as a welcoming place and embracing the help and support available. This transformative process involves understanding Scientology's control methods and finding empowerment through storytelling and reclaiming personal identity.

Rachel emphasizes the necessity of reclaiming one's voice and emotional intelligence post-Scientology. She provides insights into practical skills like setting boundaries, engaging in small talk, and learning to navigate mainstream society. Our discussion also highlights the importance of therapists familiarizing themselves with the unique lexicon of those from cult backgrounds, akin to learning a new language, to truly understand and support their recovery. Join us for an insightful episode filled with personal anecdotes and strategies to empower listeners in their own journeys of transformation and healing.

Bio: Rachel Bernstein is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from Los Angeles, California who has specialized in cult intervention and re-acclimation for over 30 years. Rachel serves on the advisory board of the International Cultic Studies Association and has worked with the Department of Justice providing support to cult survivors. You may recognize her from popular cult documentaries like Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult or the Netflix series How To Become A Cult Leader. She's also made many media appearances as a cult expert on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, Bloomberg, and many other major news outlets. Rachel is the host of IndoctriNATION: A weekly podcast covering cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control where she has interviewed hundreds of cult survivors, journalists, and experts. Her webinars and video lectures are available on her website at: www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com

Podcast: https://linktr.ee/indoctrination
Website: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rac...

Chapters:

0:12 - Life After Scientology
14:07 - Breaking Free From Cult Control
26:36 - Reflecting on Recovery and Relationships
36:25 - Learning Boundaries After Scientology
49:41 - Understanding Therapist Language in Cult Recovery

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