Whether you have been in a controlling religious organisation or have lived within a destructive cult, it will have a long lasting impact on your life.

Spiritual abuse is like no other.

It penetrates the entire being of the person and leaves them fragmented, confused and alone. There are many elements to spiritual abuse and coercive control that not only victims are unaware of but the general public.

What do you do when no one really understands the dynamics of what has happened to you and where do you start?

Some red flags to look out for:

• There is one leader with unquestionable spiritual authority

• Your leader claims to be anointed with divine gifts

• Your group claims to have the “only truth” weaved into their doctrine

• Your group preaches they are part of the chosen elite

• Salvation of mankind is only through their religion

• Frequently instilled moral pressures and overburdening used to control members

• Members are micromanaged and behaviour monitored

• Converts are encouraged to change lifestyle, clothing, speech and behaviour to fit in

• You find yourself being completely dedicated, offering your time and money to the group

These signs only scratch the surface of a destructive religious and cultic organisation.

If you have found yourself questioning your spiritual involvement in an organisation, or are in the process of leaving, it could be a very confusing and depressing time.

Please reach out for help if you need to speak to us for more support to rebuild your life.

With an accelerated busy lifestyle and lack of balance, it is easy to fall into stress, anxiety or depression.

Though these symptoms can range from high to low and feed into each other, if not managed, it can be quite overwhelming and debilitating.

These feelings will affect each client differently so finding the most suitable tools and techniques to apply in everyday life with your counsellor can break the cycle of unhealthy cognitive thinking patterns.

Counselling can assist with:

• Managing overwhelming feelings

• Establishing mental health goals

• Lifestyle changes to support overall health

• Introducing beneficial mindfulness activities

• Reducing negative behavioural and cognitive patterns

• Challenging rigid belief systems

We live in a world where anything can be used as coping strategies and distractions from what is stirring from within.

Addictions can take on many forms, such as:

• Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD)

• Social Media

• Gambling

• Work-related

• Food

• Shopping

• Exercise

• Sexual behaviours or pornography use

• Religious addiction

• Self-harm

There are a myriad of addictive behaviours used to mask personal suffering but the results are oftentimes a negative flow on effect into family life and relationships, physical and mental health issues, poor decision making and employment issues.

In order to overcome the addiction cycle, a person will need to come to a place of readiness, which is usually hitting “rock bottom”.

It is not easy to give up addictive behaviours, but there are helpful tools you can attain through counselling that address the deeper underlying issues for a healthier quality of life.

Experiencing loss can be very confronting and what follows can be a combination of heavy feelings.

It can be devastating to lose something you believe you would always have access to but then to have it taken away.

There are different types of loss which will likely affect quality of life which can include:

• Death of a loved one

• Loss of community or friendship group

• Identity

• Job

• Financial

• Religious

• Health

• Displacement

Grief is something that everyone will need to process at some point in time after experiencing a loss.

Doing so is beneficial for the individual and provides a way out of the mentally disorientating thoughts and intense emotions.