The annual ICSA International Conference brings together researchers, health professionals, service providers, and survivors and their families from around the world to engage in open dialogue on the most pressing themes around cultic studies. The 2026 conference explores the theme: Expanding the scope of coercive control: Understanding abusive dynamics and their impacts across interpersonal, institutional, and cultic contexts. Log in to access the conference’s on-demand presentations and join live sessions at their scheduled times.
Published date
27.06.2026
Leaving a high-control group often marks the beginning of a new challenge: learning how to navigate everyday relationships. This presentation explores the psychology of post-cult socialization, examining why former members struggle with trust, identity, boundaries, and authentic connection, and offers a framework for understanding recovery beyond trauma and deconversion.