As a religious deconstruction and religious trauma counselor, I have worked with many people who were in the process of escaping a cult or high-control toxic religious group. According to current research there are over 10,000 cults operating in the United States.
What follows are 5 articles worth reading to understand the dynamics of cults and high-control toxic religious groups:
The making of Vanguard: The story of how NXIVM's Keith Raniere went from gifted child to self-help guru to accused sex-cult leader
Characteristics of a Cult Leader
How Cults Work
The Psychology of the Cult Experience
Leaving a High Demand, High Control Religion
If you are interested in watching a cult docuseries, I would recommend these:
Wild Wild Country
The Vow
The Deep End
Heaven’s Gate
Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
Useful books on cults:
Combating Cult Mind Control by Steven Hassan
Leaving the Fold by Marlene Winell
