Olive Leaf Network

Is involvement in a cult or a high-demand group bad for your health? You betcha it is! This week Caz from Cult Chat (Dr. Caroline Ansley) features in the New Zealand Listener magazine, in an article about healthcare needs and neglect in cults. Go on, head down to the shops and get yourself a copy of this week’s Listener, and support NZ media. 😊 Caz will also be speaking on this very topic at DECULT 2024 - Cult Awareness Conference in October in Christchurch. Come along to the conference to learn more about this issue and more! Or tune in to the Cult Chat podcast to hear more from Dr. Caz on these topics. (Photo and commentary pinched from Cult Chat's social media post 😁 )

Listen up to a recent episode on Cult Chat, where Lindy Jacomb from the Olive Leaf Network chats with Dr. Gillie Jenkinson, UK psychotherapist, trainer of therapists, and author of “Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse - A Workbook for Recovery and Growth.” Gillie talks about her personal history in a Bible-based cult, her realization that the only way to get some decent resources for the cult recovery journey was to develop them herself, and the excitement she is feeling as she plans the last details for her trip to New Zealand in October 2024. She will be speaking at Decult and running workshops for therapists through the OLN. Share this interview with your therapist if you are keen to see them upskill in this area! #cultrecovery #religioustraumahealing #religioustrauma #oliveleafnetwork #exfundamentalist #coercivecontrol #igotout #highdemandreligiousgroup

"In her comments to Christian Daily International, Tagaloa castigated churches for protecting themselves rather than serving the needs of abuse survivors and for their inability to offer appropriate apologies and support." An excellent article interviewing Frances Tagaloa, a Christian survivor of abuse in a faith-based community in Aotearoa, and advocate for survivors with the recent Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Fore more see the article here - https://lnkd.in/gXfwD4fK

We are looking forward to our next 6-week peer support online group, 'What's Your Story', which will run late-Aug to early October 2024. Facilitated by Lindy Jacomb and a trained counsellor, this programme is a safe, supportive and non-religious place for a group of 6 participants to share their exit from a high-demand religious group with each other; peers who uniquely understand the joys and challenges of the journey. 😊 'What's Your Story' suits former members who have been out for more than a year, as it has a focus on sharing 'life afterwards' as well as 'life in' - but feel free to get in touch to discuss if you are a recent leaver and think you are ready for this now. Contact us at support@nz.oliveleaf.network if you'd like to join our next group or our waitlist. #cultrecovery #religioustraumahealing #religioustrauma #oliveleafnetwork #exfundamentalist #coercivecontrol #igotout #highdemandreligiousgroup

Today, after many years of work, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care's report (New Zealand)was tabled in Parliament. The Report is titled "Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, from darkness to light" which is an apt and beautiful name that does not shy away from acknowledging the pain, trauma and darkness that so many have endured in the care of state and faith-based institutions. Liz Gregory, on behalf of Gloriavale Leaver's Support Trust and their survivors and advocates, was in Wellington today at Parliament to see it tabled and Lindy Jacomb, on behalf of Olive Leaf Network and the survivors of abuse in faith-based organisations that we support, joined her to symbolically light a candle in solidarity with the name of the report and all the hope that it carries. We do indeed hope that through the mahi and goals of this report that some light can come to the darkness that historically and currently still exists within state and faith-based care groups across Aotearoa New Zealand. #religioustraumahealing #religioustrauma #oliveleafnetwork #exfundamentalist #coercivecontrol #igotout #highdemandreligiousgroup

There are a couple of sales on at the moment from providers of Dr. Gillie Jenkinson's book, 'Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse'. If you are in NZ, check out Medical Books (link in comments) who are selling it for just over $50.00. Or, if you are overseas, the publisher, Routledge, currently has a 20% off sale! 😊 You won't regret this purchase if you are a former member of a high-control group, or if you are supporting a former member. 😁 #cultrecovery #religioustraumahealing #religioustrauma #oliveleafnetwork #exfundamentalist #coercivecontrol #igotout

Preview - check out this beautiful piece of jewellery 😍 - in coming weeks, we will share more about a little collaboration project we have begun with another freedom-fighting group to bring you these pieces, so you can wear your heart on your sleeve! (or your neck, or your wrist, to be more exact!) 👏 🤗 . #cultrecovery #religioustraumahealing #religioustrauma #oliveleafnetwork #exfundamentalist #coercivecontrol #igotout #highdemandreligiousgroup

📣 The Olive Leaf Network is SO pleased to be bringing the highly experienced cult-recovery psychotherapist and counsellor, Dr. Gillie Jenkinson, to New Zealand later on this year! Dr. Jenkinson, of Hope Valley Counselling in the United Kingdom, regularly provides training in the area of post-cult recovery to upskill therapists and frontline professionals in this unique field. She is also the author of the recently published comprehensive and powerful book, 'Walking Free from the Trauma of Coercive, Cultic and Spiritual Abuse' (2023). If you are a therapist or in a professional role (e.g. social worker, medical professional, pastoral care or support worker) that interfaces with people either in, or former members of, high-demand groups then you won't want to miss one of these opportunities to receive training from Dr. Gillie and to network with others experienced in this field. 1. Dr. Jenkinson will be taking a two-day large group workshop in October, in Christchurch, for professionals with an interest in upskilling in these areas. 2. If you are BOTH a former member of a high-control group yourself AND now a mental health therapist, we have a unique five-day intensive opportunity for you with Dr. Gillie Jenkinson too, in the beautiful location of Hanmer Springs. Spaces limited for this one to 10 participants only - get in quick! 3. We are also excited to be collaborating with DECULT 2024 to bring Dr. Gillie to the Decult weekend (also in October), to share her expertise with professionals, the public, and former members of high-control groups there. You can read more about the opportunities to connect with Dr. Gillie and register by following the link in the comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

Congratulations to CULT CHAT, a New Zealand based podcast which discusses cultiness, coercion and control, on their recent award for the 'Best Access Radio Programme' at the New Zealand Radio and Podcast Awards 2024! BEST ACCESS RADIO PROGRAMME This award is to recognise the importance of broadcasting that serves broader community interests and to recognise excellence in broadcasting on Access radio stations. Out of thousands of Access Radio podcasts, Cult Chat has taken home the award - with huge thanks to Plains FM Christchurch for all their support along the way for Cult Chat's three hosts, Dr. Caroline Ansley (Centrepoint Restoration Project), Liz Gregory (Gloriavale Leaver's Support Trust), and Lindy Jacomb (Olive Leaf Network). If you haven't tuned in to Cult Chat yet, we encourage you to check it out and cult-proof your life (available on most streaming platforms). More links in comments. 🤗

Lindy Jacomb recently enjoyed a chat with Scott Homan, Director of the powerful film Witness Underground (2021). Scott is an ex-JW himself, and Witness Underground follows the stories of a group of talented musicians as they wrestle with their lives within the JW's and their journeys out. "Within the confines of an elusive cult, a vibrant alternative music community thrived, deprogramming themselves through art. Powerful live performances punctuate tragic losses to beautifully illuminate shunning by Jehovah's Witnesses" (from the website - see the link in the comments to learn more and to find out how to watch). Lindy was chatting with Scott about the Olive Leaf Network, and the upcoming DECULT 2024 conference in Christchurch, where Witness Underground will be played. Have you got your tickets yet? #cultrecovery #religioustraumahealing #religioustrauma #oliveleafnetwork #exfundamentalist #coercivecontrol #igotout #highdemandreligiousgroup