Hi everyone,

Worth knowing about is an upcoming conference in Brisbane, Australia, put on by Cult Information and Family Support QLD. This conference is for both mental health professionals as well as those (including family members) who are recovering from their cultic involvement.

Topics Covered in Lectures or Workshops:
• Psychological manipulation, mind control, and other dynamics of cults and high demand groups
• Educating the public and parents
• Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment modalities
• Working with PTSD and trauma related symptomatology
• Working with cult-involved families
• Anxiety and decision making, boundaries, spiritual concerns and dependency issues after the cult
• How grief becomes disenfranchised when losing a child to a cult

Plenty of top-notch speakers as well as group sessions. The conference will also be the first time that the Colorado Model for counselling has been presented.

"The effects of mind control and coercive persuasion are some of the most misunderstood and deeply hidden problems that victims of these groups and relationships have endured. The outcome translates into tremendous psychological, emotional, social and financial loss for themselves and for loved ones.

Participants will acquire a broad background of knowledge of coercive groups and relationships, and sound counsel, accompanied by practical workshops. Learn the skills needed to assess victims of thought reform, how to address the issues with loved ones, and obtain the resources to treat those who have been victims of a coercive group, cult or cultic relationship."

Hosted at the Queensland Parliament House, there will be plenty of security in order to facilitate a safe environment for those affected and left vulnerable from their cult involvement.

The conference is also endorsed by the Cult Awareness and Information Centre.

For more information as well as a brochure and registration forms, go to the conference page on the CIFS site.

These events simply don't happen often enough (particularly in Australia) so make the most of it while you can. There is a firm limit on the number of attendees, so get your registration in as soon as possible.

John Fox