Researchers at Arizona State University are seeking participants for a study examining the post-exit psychological support and help-seeking experiences of individuals who have exited high-control environments (“cults”). The study aims to better understand survivors’ mental health support needs, their experiences of seeking professional help, and their perspectives on helpful and unhelpful therapeutic encounters.
About the study
Study focus: Experiences and persepctives of mental health support among survivors of high-control environments
Lead researcher: Dr. Natalie Fabert, Associate Teaching Professor, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Research assistant: Amanda Koff, Graduate Research Assistant
Institution: Arizona State University
Key areas of focus include:
- How survivors perceive and describe their needs for mental health support during and after exiting
- Survivors’ lived experiences as they navigate the help-seeking process
- The internal and external barriers survivors encounter when seeking support
- The characteristics of a “cult-literate” therapeutic encounter, as described by survivors
- How these experiences compare with therapeutic encounters perceived as “pathologizing” or “unhelpful”
Research ethics and participant information
The study received approval from the Arizona State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) on June 16, 2026. The study’s IRB ID is STUDY00024427.
- Informed consent form
- IRB / ethics approval
Participation is voluntary and entirely anonymous. Participants may skip individual survey questions or discontinue the survey at any time. The survey is anonymous. The informed consent materials state that the study does not collect participants’ names, email addresses, IP addresses, or specific group names.
What participation involves
Participants will complete an anonymous online survey lasting approximately 20–40 minutes, depending on how much they choose to share.
Participants will be asked about:
- Their background and demographic information
- A standardized measure assessing past group dynamics: the Psychological Abuse Experienced in Groups Scale (PAEGS)
- Open-ended questions about participants’ experiences and perspectives regarding professional mental health therapy
- Their experiences and perspectives regarding professional mental health therapy
Why participate
- By sharing their experiences, participants can contribute to research examining the role of professional mental health therapy in recovery from high-control and coercively controlling environments.
- The findings may help deepen understanding of survivors’ experiences of seeking professional support and the needs they encounter during recovery.
Who the study is for
You may be eligible to participate if you:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Identify as a survivor of a high-control group, cult, abusive religious or spiritual experience, or another type of coercively controlling group or movement
- Are willing to reflect on your help-seeking journey
Research background and impact
The study is designed to contribute to greater empirical understanding of survivors’ post-exit mental health needs and help-seeking experiences, including barriers to care and perceptions of professional mental health therapy.
The researchers hope this work will contribute to counselor education models and help mental health practitioners better understand and respond to survivors of high-control groups.
Previous work includes:
- Research on secularist understandings of religious practices and spirituality
- Studies on feminist movements and religious disaffiliation
- Contributions to scholarship on religion, embodiment, and social transformation
The project is designed to have both academic and societal impact. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conferences, and engagement with professional networks, as well as through knowledge-sharing with care professionals and organizations.
This research may:
- Advance interdisciplinary understanding of disaffiliation and identity transformation
- Inform counseling, social support, and mental health practices
- Support the development of more effective and empathetic support systems for former members
How to participate
Access the anonymous online survey by following this link.
The recruitment flyer, including a QR code linking to the survey, provides additional information about participation.
Contact
For questions or more information:
Dr. Natalie Fabert
Arizona State University
nfabert@asu.edu
A note for potential research participants
Before deciding whether to participate in any research study, including studies not shared by ICSA, we encourage you to review the information provided and consider:
- Is the study affiliated with a reputable university, research institution, or other appropriate organization?
- Has the study received appropriate ethical or Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval?
- Are the purpose of the research and what participation involves clearly explained?
- Are confidentiality, data use, potential risks, and your rights as a participant clearly addressed?
- Does the researcher or supervising researcher have relevant expertise?
- Do you feel comfortable with what you are being asked to discuss or disclose?
Research participation should be voluntary. Review the study’s consent information carefully, including your right to skip questions or withdraw from the research and any limitations that may apply. Research involving experiences of coercion, abuse, or trauma may also bring up difficult emotions or memories, so we encourage you to consider your own wellbeing when deciding whether to participate.
If you have questions or concerns about a study, contact the research team or the relevant institutional ethics or IRB office before participating.
Disclaimer
ICSA’s Research Committee reviews research participation requests before sharing them with our community. In doing so, the Committee considers factors such as the study’s relevance to the field, institutional affiliation, ethical approval, researcher expertise, and potential contribution to research and practice.
Sharing a research opportunity does not constitute an endorsement of the study, its methodology, or its findings. ICSA Board members, staff, and volunteers may not be familiar with all aspects of the research. Responsibility for the conduct of the study rests with the researchers and institutions identified in the study information.
