Hi Jocie,
I am in Sydney as I notice you are and I know of a psychologist on the Central Coast, 40 minutes from Hornsby. He did his internship with Wellspring in Ohio and so is experienced in this specialised area of counselling. I will send you a PM with contact details.
To answer your question about medication:
Read as background this paper from Rick Ross:
[
www.culteducation.com]
This paper spells out that a reactive psychotic episode can exist when the person is out of the cult and it may persist for days to months. Her doctor probably has diagnosed such a psychosis that he believes can be stablised / controled through drugs. Whether a psychosis is reactive or not, there still exists the possibilitiy of a chemical imbalance in the brain and this may be what the doctor is trying to adjust. What may also be needed is talk therapy once she is stablised. Sometimes it takes a few goes to get the medication right.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been proven to be effective in assisting recovery in many cases and there is clinical evidence to support the hypothesis that combined with medication, clients recover from depression faster. I also acknowlege you are dealing with more than depression here.
I would suggest that you contact the psychologist I pass to you and maybe also ring Wellspring in the USA for background info.
Wellspring Retreat
Albany
Paul Martin, Ph.D.
Ronald Burks, Ph.D.
Specializing in the rehabilitation of individuals who have suffered in abusive religious groups, relationships and organizations.
Web site: Wellspring Retreat.org
Hope this helps,
Oz