Beyond High-Control:

Healing After Spiritual Harm

Trauma-informed support for members of spiritual and other communities affected by spiritual abuse, betrayal, and high-control group experiences.

Beyond High-Control:

Healing After Spiritual Harm

Trauma-informed support for members of spiritual and other communities affected by spiritual abuse, betrayal, and high-control group experiences.

Beyond High-Control Town Hall

Join us for a free online town hall on Saturday, August 8.

Meet the Beyond High-Control team, learn about

the support and resources being developed, and

share what would be most helpful to the community.

Two identical Zoom sessions are available.

Use the button below to continue to the registration form

and choose your meeting time.

Choose a Session & Register

THIS SPACE IS FOR YOU

You do not need to

know whether your

experience 'counts' as

trauma to seek support.

You may be experiencing:

grief and loss
confusion or self-doubt
betrayal or anger
anxiety or nervous system activation
loss of community or belonging

difficulty trusting yourself
spiritual confusion
relationship changes
mixed feelings about your experience

What We Believe

We believe healing after

spiritual harm requires

both compassionate community

and evidence-based care.

We are committed to providing

trauma-informed support

for individuals affected

by spiritual abuse, high-control groups,

betrayal by trusted leaders,

and loss of spiritual community.

We believe meaningful experiences

and harmful experiences can coexist,

and that healing does not require

abandoning spirituality, community,

or personal meaning.

WHO WE ARE

Meet Your Facilitators

We come to this work from different backgrounds but share a commitment to compassionate, trauma-informed care. Together, we aim to create a space where individuals can explore their experiences, reconnect with themselves, and move toward healing at their own pace.

LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST - Trauma, Grief & Nervous System Healing

Megan Rhoads, PsyD

"I believe people can honor the meaningful aspects of their spiritual journey while also making space for pain, grief, and healing."

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DOCTORAL CANDIDTATE - Researcher in Spiritual Harm and Coercive Influence

Nicholas O'Madden, LPC

"My research focuses on understanding how clinicians can better support individuals affected by coercive influence and spiritual harm."

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WHAT WE EXPLORE

Understanding the Impact

Many people find relief simply

in having language

for what they have experienced.

Each group meeting combines

psychoeducation with practical

coping skills to help members

understand spiritual harm, high-control dynamics, anxiety, shame, grief,

and loss of community.

Together, we explore what happened,

why your mind and body may still

be reacting, and what can help you

begin reconnecting with

safety, self-trust, and choice.

Influence & High-Control Dynamics

How fear, authority, belonging, and group pressure can shape choices over time.

Trauma, Stress, & the Nervous System

Why your body may still feel anxious, alert, or unsafe even after leaving.

Grief, Loss & Community Rupture

Making space for the loss of relationships, identity, meaning, and belonging.

Rebuilding Self-Trust

Learning to hear your own voice again after confusion, doubt, or external control.

Shame, Fear & Spiritual Injury

Understanding guilt, “what if I’m wrong?” thoughts, and fear-based conditioning.

Coping Skills & Regulation

Practicing breath, grounding, and body-based tools to support steadiness and choice.

Available Support

Healing can look different

for each person.

Some people need a private space to sort through what happened.

Others want connection with

people who understand.

Some are looking for body-based practices that help them feel

steadier and more present.

Our offerings are designed

to give you a few gentle

entry points into this work.

Individual Coaching

For people who want private, one-on-one coaching to process their experience, steady their nervous system, rebuild self-trust, and explore next steps at their own pace.

Group Coaching

A structured group coaching program combining psychoeducation, shared reflection, and skills practice for people healing from spiritual harm, high-control dynamics, betrayal, and community loss.

Healing Breath-Work

Breath-based nervous system support focused on grounding, regulation, emotional release, and reconnecting with the body in a gentle, choice-centered way.

Pricing & Options

Current introductory community pricing is listed below.

We are committed to keeping

this work accessible during the early stages of community healing,

and scholarship rates may be

available by request

for a limited time.

You can begin with a

free consultation

to ask questions and decide

what feels like

the best next step.

NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT?

We want this work to be as accessible as possible. If cost is a barrier, you are welcome to request a scholarship rate. You do not need to share your full story or justify your pain in order to ask.

Initial Consultation

Free 15-minute phone consultation
Ask questions and share what kind of support you are looking for
Discuss which option may be the best fit
No obligation to schedule ongoing services

One-on-One Planning Session

$120 for a one-time, 50-minute planning session with Dr. Megan
Scholarship rate $12 - available by request - please use button at left to complete request form
Includes review of current concerns, history, goals, and support needs
Collaborative planning for individual coaching, group coaching, or adjunctive services
May include referrals if another professional, service, or level of care is a better fit

Group Coaching

$12 per session
Commitment to entire 8-week series
Structured group for individuals affected by spiritual harm, high-control dynamics, betrayal, and community loss
Each meeting includes psychoeducation, discussion, and coping skills practice
Topics may include nervous system regulation, grief, shame, self-trust, spiritual injury, and rebuilding connection

Individual Meetings

Standard community rate: $120 per 50-minute coaching meeting
Limited-time scholarship rate available: $12 by request
May focus on processing spiritual harm, navigating grief and uncertainty, rebuilding self-trust, understanding stress responses, and practicing nervous system regulation.
Sessions are personalized to your needs, goals, and pace

Healing Breath-Work

Free 30-minute sessions on Zoom
Days/Times: TBD
Breath-based support for grounding, regulation, emotional release, and reconnecting with the body
May be offered as a stand-alone practice or as support alongside group coaching
Themes may align with the weekly group curriculum

QUESTIONS

FAQ'S

You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

These questions are here to

help you understand

what this support may include

and whether it feels like a good fit.

Whether you are looking for information, connection, or practical tools, you are welcome to take the next step at your own pace.

Get Started

What if I'm not sure what kind of support I need?

That’s completely okay. You do not need to choose between individual meetings, group meetings, or breathwork before reaching out. A free consultation can help us understand what you are looking for and identify a starting point together.

Do I need to identify as a 'cult survivor' to participate?

No. Some people may identify with terms like cult recovery, high-control group experience, or spiritual abuse. Others may not. We use language gently and flexibly so you can describe your experience in the way that feels most accurate to you.

What if I'm not sure whether my experience "counts" as trauma?

You do not need to know how to label your experience before seeking support. If you are feeling confused, unsettled, betrayed, disconnected, grieving, or unsure how to make sense of what happened, this space is for you.

Is this group anti-yoga or anti-spirituality?

No. This support is not about telling people what to believe or rejecting spiritual practice. We honor that meaningful experiences and harmful experiences can coexist. Healing may include keeping, changing, or releasing parts of your spiritual life at your own pace.

What happens in group meetings?

Each time we meet, there may be psychoeducation, discussion, and coping skills practice. We explore topics such as high-control dynamics, nervous system activation, grief, shame, spiritual injury, self-trust, and rebuilding connection.

Do I have to share my story in group?

No. You are never required to share details before you feel ready. Participation can include listening, reflecting, practicing skills, or sharing only what feels appropriate for you.

What if I still have mixed feelings about the community?

Mixed feelings are welcome here. You may feel grief, gratitude, anger, love, confusion, loyalty, betrayal, or all of the above. You do not have to simplify your experience in order to receive support.

What if I'm not sure what kind of support I need?

Is this therapy?

No. The offerings described on this page are coaching, psychoeducation, group support, and breath-based practices. They are not psychotherapy, diagnosis, or mental health treatment.

Dr. Megan is a licensed psychologist in California, but services offered through this program are structured as coaching and educational support unless otherwise clearly stated and legally appropriate. We will clarify the type of service before beginning so you know exactly what to expect.

What is the difference between individual services and group services?

Individual meetings offer private, one-on-one coaching tailored to your experience, needs, and goals. Group meetings offer structured psychoeducation, skills practice, and connection with others who may understand similar experiences.

Is everything confidential?

We treat your privacy with care. Individual coaching conversations are private, with limits that will be reviewed before beginning.

For group meetings, all participants will be asked to respect one another’s privacy and not share identifying information outside the group.

While we cannot guarantee the behavior of other group members, we will clearly review shared privacy expectations before the group begins.

How much does it cost?

Current introductory community pricing is listed below in the Pricing & Options section.

Group coaching is currently $12 per meeting.
Consultation & Planning is $120 for a one-time meeting.
Individual coaching is $120 per meeting.
Scholarship rates may be available by request for a limited time.

Are scholarships available?

Yes. If cost is a barrier, you are welcome to request a scholarship rate. You do not need to share your full story or justify your pain in order to ask.

How do I get started?

Join the interest list or request a consultation. We will follow up with more information about current options, scheduling, and the next available group.

CONTINUE LEARNING

Resources

These resources may be helpful

if you are beginning

to make sense of spiritual harm,

high-control dynamics,

religious trauma,

or community rupture.