Those for whom confusion is dominant may benefit from education about the dynamics of spiritual abuse, although sometimes indecisiveness makes it difficult for them to pursue or persist in educational endeavors.

Those who feel that they are failures may still believe in the abuser and tend to be self-blaming. This makes them vulnerable to other abusers, who may realize that “strategic kindness” can help them gain control over the self-blaming person. Self-blamers may also unwittingly communicate a desire to restore the once-rewarding dependent relationship they had with their abuser. This kind of ambivalence can be especially trying for SGAs (second-generation adults - people born or raised in abusive groups), some of whose abusers may have been family members with whom they understandably seek some kind of reconciliation. Even those abuse victims who have overtly rejected their abusers may maintain some level of faith in the belief system into which they were indoctrinated.

Sorting through which aspects of a belief system an individual wants to keep, modify, and/or discard is a long process, which is complicated by the redefining of words that so often happens in toxic groups.

What to Expect from Spiritual Abuse Victims Who Have Recently Left an Abusive Situation 

Ambivalence. They may want help or closeness, yet they may be afraid to accept help or to get close. Hence, be prepared for sometimes inexplicable “pulling away” just when you think your kindness and love is getting through. Similarly, they may want to be independent and mature, yet many years of induced dependency may incline them to seek the comfort of dependent relationships.

Indecisiveness. People who were under another person’s control or influence for a long time may, when they are free of that control, have difficulty making decisions because they are so accustomed to deferring to others regarding even sometimes trivial personal decisions, e.g., what clothes to wear.

Fear. Toxic groups induce anxiety and are often scary places to be. Fear and other emotions, such as guilt, are used to control members. Sometimes the levels of fear instilled in members may be extreme. Members are often taught that everyone outside the group, and especially anyone in another religious organization, is evil, or at least untrustworthy. Thus, even stepping foot over the threshold of another religious organization can be a momentous step for spiritually abused persons. It is vital not to crowd them, to give them emotional space so that their fear level can decline as they can begin to experience the religious organization as a place of safety.

Emotional volatility. Abuse victims may sometimes quickly move from anger to depression to anxiety, and they may sometimes show all of those emotions at the same time. Sometimes seemingly innocuous stimuli (e.g., a particular verse from the Bible) can trigger anxiety associated with past experiences.

Difficulty expressing themselves. Individuals coming out of spiritually abusive situations may have been verbally stifled. Those raised in abusive groups may never have had the normal adolescent experiences of sharing secrets with friends, questioning authority, or discovering what "I" think. For this reason, there may sometimes be a noticeable gap between a person's obvious intelligence and capacity to articulate an opinion. Such intellectual hesitancy may also contribute to theological rigidity.

Theological rigidity or theological confusion. Some abuse victims retain the usually rigid belief systems of their abusers and may continue to interpret events and relationships according to that system. Others who may have begun to separate cognitively from the abuser’s belief system, may be unsure of what to believe. It may sometimes take years before they can feel comfortable in a faith system.

Financial need or sensitivity. Although not all spiritually abusive groups and relationships are financially exploitative, many are, and some leave their members penniless. Therefore, expect some abuse victims to be financially needy and sometimes very sensitive to fund-raising appeals.

Conflicts with loved ones. Spiritually abusive groups often try to separate members from their families. Consequently, many former members of abusive groups will have impaired relationships with the family members to whom one would expect them to turn for help.

Lack of preparation for life outside the group. Many of those who have grown up in groups are completely unprepared for life outside of their groups. Their needs may be extensive and they may have no support, including no contact with family members who remain in the group.

Realize that spiritual abuse victims may perceive the enthusiasm you feel for your faith as “pushiness,” “pressure,” or “manipulation.” Your good intentions may be viewed through a mental filter clouded by years of abuse.

What You Can Do for Victims of Spiritual Abuse

Be patient. Give them space and time to feel comfortable with you. If they rebuff you or show ingratitude, keep in mind that their response may be related to sometimes horrendous abuse of which you may have no knowledge.

Be gentle. Many spiritual abuse victims continue to be very hard on themselves, as they were taught to be in their groups. Being gentle with them may help them be gentle with themselves. Earn their trust through patience, kindness, and understanding.

Listen to them. Encourage them to talk to you, rather than to listen to you. Avoid a lecturing tone. Even if they may criticize individuals, groups, or organizations that you respect, hear them out. Often, it is more important that someone abused spiritually speak honestly, not correctly. The pressing challenge for them is to overcome the fear of speaking their mind, not to figure out which opinion is correct.

Encourage, encourage encourage! The self-esteem of a spiritually abused person may be at rock bottom. You have the opportunity to foster a more positive self-concept via encouragement. If you must criticize, be tactful.

Encourage them also to get information and assistance from resources that specialize in this area, e.g., International Cultic Studies Association.

Encourage them to ask questions. Help them find their own answers. Respect their views, even when you disagree.

Laugh with them. Encouraging and joining former members in humor can be a great antidote for their experiences because in many groups humor may have been forbidden.

Be confidential. Former members of some abusive groups are accustomed to having others seek to acquire and then misuse personal information. For this reason, they are understandably sensitive to perceived violations of confidentiality. Explain the exact limits of confidentiality under which you work. You should not share information with others unless the spiritually abused person knows that you will do so.

Let go! However good their intentions, helpers should be vigilant about how their own needs may sometimes cause them to hold onto a helper-helpee relationship when they should let go. Spiritually abused persons may begin a relationship as emotionally needy; however, if they have been genuinely helped, they will become independent and self-confident. Helpers should be careful not to deceive themselves and unintentionally try to maintain a relationship that has come to bring more benefits to the helper than the helpee. If you've done your job, you should let go and permit the helpee to go on with his or her life.