An estimated 5 to 7 million Americans have been involved in cults, or cult-like groups. Even though they’ve never met, the four women profiled in “Secret Lives of Women: Cults” tell eerily similar stories of isolation from family, desire to please a higher power and apparent loss of independent thought.

This one-hour special profiles four women who have been affected by cults and intense, cultish groups. From a mother who has lost her daughter to a young woman trying to rebuild her life after losing everything to a controlling yoga organization, viewers get taken inside cult life.

Profiles:

Amy
Her desire to achieve and live a life of purpose led Amy to fall prey to the cult of Dahn Yoga. Her life became filled with sleepless nights and pressure to achieve “vision” for the founder Il Chi Lee. After an intervention with another ex-member, Amy decided to attend Wellspring Retreat & Resource Center’s 2-week intensive exit counseling program. Follow us on her journey back to the real world.

Tricia
7 years after joining a bible study group, Tricia had a realization that she was serving at the right-hand of her cults leader. Since leaving the group, Tricia struggles to rebuild relationships with her sons she had to leave behind. She has also begun classes to work towards becoming a certified cult exit-counselor.

Brenda
Brenda lived a happy childhood until the age of 9. That was until her mother was visited by a group of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After that day Brenda was forced to practice an intense religion she never once believed in. At the age of 18 Brenda fled from her home not knowing leaving the religion would mean her mother could not speak to her again. Brenda has since dedicated her life to educating others about the dangers of cults and the misleading practices of the Witnesses.

Patricia
A mother of 6 daughters, Patricia never imagined a day when one of her own would distance herself from her tight-knit family. But that is exactly what has happened with her daughter Ginger. Once thought of by the family as “Patricia’s favorite” Ginger now lives a life far from her family with little communication. Patricia & other family members believe it is due to her participation in a community & church organization that dictates all aspects of her life. Patricia holds onto hope that one day her family will be whole again.

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