🔘 What kinds of experiences does this service support?

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This service supports people who have left a cult or high-control group, experienced coercive control in a relationship (sometimes called a 'cult of two'), grown up in a controlling family environment, experienced religious trauma, or are unsure about their experience but feel that something was not right.

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🔘 I need to be certain I was in a cult to seek counselling?​

 

No. Many people who reach out are unsure about what they experienced. If something felt wrong — in a group, relationship, or family environment — that is enough of a reason to explore support. You do not need a label or a clear explanation to begin counselling.​

 

🔘 What is cult recovery counselling?​

 

Cult recovery counselling is a specialised form of trauma-informed therapy that supports people who have left cults, high-control groups, or coercive relationships. It helps survivors make sense of their experience, rebuild trust in their own thinking, process emotional and psychological impacts, and reclaim their identity and autonomy.​

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🔘 Why do I need a counsellor who specialises in coercive control, rather than a general therapist?

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Coercive control is a specific and complex form of abuse that operates differently from other relationship difficulties or even other forms of domestic violence. A specialist understands the patterns involved — the gradual erosion of confidence, the cycle of control and affection, trauma bonding, and the particular challenges of recovery. Without this understanding, well-meaning therapists can sometimes misread what happened to you, focus on the wrong things, or inadvertently place responsibility on you for dynamics that were not your fault. Working with someone who truly understands coercive control means you won't have to spend your sessions educating your therapist — you can get straight to healing.

 

🔘 Is online counselling as effective as in-person therapy?

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Yes. Research consistently shows that online counselling is as effective as face-to-face therapy for most people. Sessions are conducted via Zoom, which uses encryption to keep your session confidential and secure.

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🔘 How many sessions will I need?

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There is no single answer to this, and a good counsellor will never pressure you into a fixed number of sessions before understanding your situation. Some people find significant relief and clarity in a smaller number of focused sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support, particularly if the relationship was long, if there are children involved, or if the impact on your sense of self has been deep. We will work together to understand what you need and review that as we go. What matters most is that the pace and duration feel right for you.

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🔘 How do I know if what I experienced was coercive control?

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Coercive control doesn't always look the way people expect. It rarely starts dramatically — it tends to build slowly through patterns that can feel confusing or hard to name. Some signs include feeling like you were constantly walking on eggshells, having your movements, friendships, finances, or appearance monitored or controlled, being isolated from people you were close to, feeling as though your sense of reality was regularly questioned, or losing confidence in your own judgment over time. If you are asking this question, your experience deserves to be taken seriously — and exploring it with a specialist can help bring clarity, whatever the answer turns out to be.

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🔘 Can I access counselling if I have limited money or time?

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Yes. Online counselling removes many of the practical barriers that make in-person support difficult — there is no travel time, no waiting room, and sessions can often be scheduled around work or caring responsibilities, including early mornings or evenings. If cost is a concern, please reach out and we can have an honest conversation about what is possible. Accessing support after coercive control should not be another thing that feels out of reach.

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🔘 Do I have to have already left the relationship to start counselling?

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No — and this is important. You do not need to have made any particular decision about your relationship to begin counselling. Many people come to counselling while still in the relationship, trying to understand what is happening and what their options are. A specialist will not pressure you to leave or tell you what to do. What we will do is work with you to build clarity, safety, and confidence — so that whatever you decide, you are making choices that are truly yours.

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🔘 Where is this counselling service available?

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Sessions are conducted online and are available to people across Australia and internationally, subject to some timezone limitations. You can reach out via the contact page to ask about availability in your location.

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🔘 What is art therapy and do I need to be artistic?

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Art therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses creative processes — such as drawing, painting, or collage — to support emotional expression and healing. No artistic skill or experience is required. Art therapy can be helpful when experiences are difficult to put into words, offering an alternative way to process and understand what you have been through.​

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🔘 Do I need to have artistic skill or experience to benefit from art therapy?

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Not at all — and this is one of the most important things to understand about art therapy. It is not an art class, and your therapist is not evaluating the quality of what you make. Art therapy uses the act of creating as a pathway to explore emotions, process experiences, and build self-awareness. People of all skill levels, including those who feel they "can't draw a straight line," benefit fully. In fact, letting go of the pressure to create something "good" is often part of the therapeutic experience itself.

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🔘 What art supplies do I need before my first session?

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You don't need anything elaborate to get started. It is recommended to begin with simple, accessible materials — a few sheets of paper, pencils, coloured pencils or markers, and perhaps a glue stick. Digital drawing tools are also acceptable. The focus is always on the process of creating, not on producing polished artwork.

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🔘 Do I have to do art therapy?

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No. Renee offers both traditional talk-based counselling and art therapy. You are free to choose which approach works best for you.

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🔘 What qualifications does the therapist have?

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Sessions are facilitated by Renée Spencer, who holds a Master of Mental Health specialising in Art Therapy (University of Queensland, 2018) and a Graduate Diploma of Psychology (University of Melbourne). Renée is registered with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and has been working as a Community Mental Health Practitioner since 2019. She also has lived experience of high-control environments and coercive relationships.

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🔘 How do I get started with counselling?

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You can reach out via the contact page to enquire about availability, ask questions, or take a first step toward support. You do not need to have everything figured out before making contact.

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