Rachel Bernstein, LMFT

07/18/2025

Healing and Justice: A Free Webinar for Survivors of Spiritual and Religious Abuse
If you’ve experienced harm in a spiritual or religious community, you are not alone, and you deserve support, understanding, and tools to help you reclaim your voice.

Join us on Tuesday, July 22, at 12 PM ET, for “Healing and Justice: Legal Rights and Recovery for Survivors of Spiritual and Religious Abuse”, a free webinar designed to help survivors navigate the unique challenges of leaving high-control groups and finding a path to healing and justice.

💬 Hear from:
Carol Merchasin – a civil attorney at international law firm McAllister Olivarius who helps survivors use the law to hold abusers accountable
Rachel Bernstein – a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Educator and cult specialist with decades of experience helping survivors recover and guiding their loved ones in this process
Rachel M. – a survivor and advocate sharing her lived experience and journey of recovery

This conversation will explore:
✅ How harmful groups manipulate trust and belonging
✅ The red flags of unhealthy group dynamics
✅ Emotional and legal tools survivors can use to seek justice and begin healing
✅ How to find support from professionals who understand these complex forms of abuse

📅 Tuesday, July 22
⏰ 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT
📍 Free virtual event

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XPaVVdwATwO16l3tPfmaDg

This is a space for survivors and supporters to listen, learn, and find strength. A recording will also be available for those who cannot attend live. Please reach out to mco@topofmind-pr.com with any questions.

07/14/2025

I'm part of the CNN docuseries Billionaire Boys Club to offer psychological observations about Joe Hunt’s manipulative tactics, the group dynamics behind his 1980s investment schemes, and the factors that contributed to his eventual downfall.

Our podcast host, Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, is featured in the CNN series "Billionaire Boys Club," which explores Joe Hunt's 1980s investment schemes and his eventual downfall.

07/09/2025

This paper is based on a presentation at Support for the Pacific Rim, a conference cosponsored by ICSA. Cultic groups, as I use the term in this paper, refer to groups that exercise high levels of control over members’ behavior, thoughts, and emotions and that tend to separate members from the world outside the group, including families and friends.

You can download the PDF copy for free at this link:https://education.rachelbernsteintherapy.com/unique-ways-to-reach-out-to-loved-ones-involved-in-cultic-groups

07/06/2025

This sensitive book on divorce is the first of its kind to be inclusive for all kinds of families by representing the parents in a gender-neutral way and to provide a journal and activity pages for both children and parents.

Get your copy now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Now-I-Know-Rachel-Bernstein/dp/1620867893

Let's support our kids through every step of their journey. Share this post with anyone who might benefit from this inspiring book! 📖💕

06/20/2025

During this year in my practice, my female clients shared the criticisms they or their female co-workers or family members received, as well as the assumptions that were made about them when they engaged in the actions listed in the left column, and I decided to make a list of them.

My male clients, at times, also shared the reactions they heard their female colleagues or female partners receive that they felt were harsh or unjustified, and I added those to the list.
That list appears on the right side of this chart.

In this day and age, it is quite a disappointing list. And interestingly, these reactions directed at women were made by both men AND women.

It is something noticed with more awareness now by men and women alike, but clearly there is still more education necessary.

06/07/2025

05/21/2025

Fitting in means molding yourself to meet expectations—often at the cost of your true self. But real belonging comes from being authentically you, without fear of rejection.

For those healing from high-control relationships, family dynamics, or cult experiences, this difference is crucial. You don’t have to change to be worthy of acceptance. True connection happens when you are seen and valued for who you truly are.



www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com

05/20/2025

It's easy to feel guilty when walking away from someone who you think "needs" you —even when that person mistreats you. In "Why Did I Stay," Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd, explores the emotional complexities that keep us stuck in toxic relationships and the importance of recognizing when it's time to prioritize your own well-being. 🌱💔

You don’t have to sacrifice your peace for someone who doesn’t treat you with the respect you deserve. Learn how to break free from guilt and make empowered choices. 💪 Visit the link to purchase the video and start your healing journey today.

https://www.patreon.com/indoctrination/shop/why-did-i-stay-37566?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=productshare_fan&utm_content=join_link

05/16/2025

Thank you! It should be that easy and logical. Right?

05/15/2025

Finding your voice—especially after being silenced, manipulated, or controlled—takes courage. Whether in relationships, family dynamics, or high-control groups, speaking up is a powerful step toward healing. Your voice matters, even when it trembles.



www.rachelbernsteintherapy.com

05/13/2025

Imagine being told, from the moment you're old enough to listen, that questioning authority is sinful, your body is shameful, and doubt is dangerous. For many people raised in fundamentalist religious systems, this isn't hypothetical — it's their reality.

Imagine being told, from the moment you're old enough to listen, that questioning authority is sinful, your body is shameful, and doubt is dangerous. For many people raised in fundamentalist...

05/08/2025

Before you say "yes" to someone’s request, take a moment to ask yourself: Are they treating you with kindness and respect? Do they truly value your time and effort? In "Why Fear Makes Us Say 'Yes' When We Knew We Should Have Said 'No', Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd, guides you through the process of assessing whether others truly deserve your commitment, helping you protect your energy and prioritize your own needs. 💡

Don’t let fear of disappointing others push you into unhealthy agreements. Learn to recognize your worth and set boundaries that serve you. ✨ Visit the link to purchase the video and start making empowered decisions today.

https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/videos.html