Finding connection and support after leaving a high-control group or cult is vital in recovery – read more about it in this article. Below is a directory of peer support groups available online and across New Zealand.
Uncult Ōtautahi
In-person peer support group in Christchurch with 30+ participants. Meetings are twice a month on a Monday night.
https://www.uncult.support/
Finding Your Freedom
Fortnightly in-person sessions over two months at Rationalist House in Auckland, facilitated by psychotherapist Beth St Claire.
Email Jude at [email protected] or check the Facebook Group
Free to Grow
In-person peer support group in Ōamaru, facilitated by former Jehovah’s Witness Zara Murphy.
Email [email protected]
West Coast Peer Support Group
In-person peer support group starting in Greymouth in late 2026, led by social worker Kelly Shaw.
Email [email protected]
Religious Trauma Collective
A 6-week online support group for anyone in Australia or Aotearoa. Aimed at people looking to heal from cultic abuse, loss, and grief (groups of up to 8).
https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/support-groups
Olive Leaf Network NZ
“What’s Your Story” 6-week small group programme held over Zoom for people healing from high-control religious groups.
[email protected]
The Religious Trauma Collective
Religious Trauma & Cults (RTC) is an Australian-based organisation, co-directed by Sam Sellers and Elise Heerde, supporting survivors of religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and high-control group experiences, while resourcing and educating practitioners through cult recovery and religious trauma training. Sam hosts the podcast Beyond the Surface and Elise is the author of Holy Hell & After The Exit; both bring lived experience and professional expertise to this space.
https://religioustraumaandcults.com/peer-support-groups
Centrepoint Restoration Project
A website by Dr Caroline Ansley for former members of Centrepoint Community for sharing information and finding support
https://www.centrepointrestorationproject.com/
Olive Leaf Network
New Zealand wide charity that helps those transitioning out of Christian groups
https://nz.oliveleaf.network/resources/
Gloriavale Leavers’ Support Trust
Timaru-based charity that helps leavers from Gloriavale
https://www.gloriavaleleavers.org.nz/
CIFS (Cult Information and Family Support)
Australian support network for cult leavers and their families
https://www.cifs.org.au/
Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion
Workshops, online community groups for survivors and more, lead by Decult 2024 keynote speaker Dr Janja Lalich
https://www.lalichcenter.org/
Hope Valley Counselling
UK based cult recovery therapy with Decult 2024 keynote speaker Dr Gillie Jenkinson
https://www.hopevalleycounselling.com/
Rachel Bernstein Therapy
US cult specialist Rachel Bernstein offers one-on-one counselling and survivor groups (also on Zoom)
https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/
The Freedom Train Project
Peer support groups, legal assistance, advocacy, therapy and more (US based)
https://thefreedomtrainproject.org/
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA)
US based global network of cult researchers, survivors and activists, with annual conferences.
https://www.icsahome.com/
Cult Media Messaging
Consultancy for cult leavers planning to safely go public in the media or documentaries
https://www.cultmediamessaging.com/
1737 need to talk
Free call or free text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor or talk to a peer support worker. This service is completely free.
Presbyterian Support
Presbyterian Support offers a wide range of services for children and families, counselling, family support, parenting, financial advice, child counselling and adult counselling and whole family therapy.
https://psuppersouth.org.nz/what-we-do/
St John of God – Waipuna
St John of God Hauora Trust offers counselling and support for young people experiencing significant challenges ie: mental health issues, family support, social disconnection, young mothers, general counselling for individuals and family. They work with people from the age of 10-24 as well as parents and whanau.
https://www.sjog.org.nz/our-services/community-youth-and-child-services
Manu Ka Rere
This service was previously called ‘Community Youth Mental Health Services’ (CYMHS) and now offers an ‘umbrella service’ for multiple Christchurch social services. They work with people 13-24 and offer 6 free sessions of counselling to young people as well as ongoing long-term support.
https://www.manukarere.org.nz/service-information
Gumboot Friday
Offer free counselling for young people, face to face and/or online. Many online resources too. Nice easy to use website, often have several initiatives running that are publicised widely, making them well known among many people.
https://www.gumbootfriday.org.nz/
Hope for the Children
A relatively new initiative that offers counselling for children but also fundraising and funding resources and opportunities to assist families gain financial assistance.
https://www.cdntrust.org.nz/hope-for-the-children
The Harakeke Centre
The Harakeke Centre also works with young people and adolescents who are experiencing difficulties with education, behaviour, self-esteem, mental health (e.g. anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder), conflict, separation, grief. They also work with caregivers/parents who may be experiencing difficulties with parenting and family relationships.
https://harakekecentre.co.nz/
Home and Family
The Home and Family Service work with children and young people individually, in family group work and can also work with parents individually.
https://www.homeandfamily.net.nz/
The Methodist Mission
Has various services for children and parents. They offer children’s programmes and therapeutic support for all ages.
https://www.mmsi.org.nz/
Catholic Social Services
Catholic Social Services have various counselling for trauma related issues, available for children and parents. You don’t have to be catholic to utilise their services!
http://css.nzl.org/
Arahura Centre
Offer counselling to young people and adults with a range of counsellors. Fees and prices vary between counsellors but they can offer some funding assistance and options for payment if needed.
https://www.thearahuracentre.co.nz/
Te Tahi Youth
Wide range of services for vulnerable youth in Christchurch including mental health support, counselling, mentor service, group activities, medical centre and GP professionals.
https://tetahiyouth.org.nz/
Petersgate Centre
Affordable counselling for adults only (Christchurch). Range of counsellors and use a sliding scale based on income for counselling fees, will also offer payment options and take consideration to individual situations based on need and ability to make ongoing payments based on a payment plan or subsidies etc.
https://www.petersgate.org.nz/who-we-are
Te Whare Awero
Offer counselling to all but also community development and Child & Family Support. Christian based service that underlyingly upholds their faith within the service but users and clients do not need to identify as Christian.
https://tewhareawhero.org/
Whatsup
This telephone/online chat service provides free counselling to young people and a free call or web chat service especially for kids and teenagers up to 19 years of age.
Their hours vary but they are generally available from 11am to 11pm Monday – Sunday. A trained therapist will always answer or be online to chat.
Free call 0800 WHATSUP or their web chat line can be accessed on the website above.
Te Puna Oranga Inc.
Office Address: 687 Worcester Street, Linwood, Christchurch, 8062
Phone: 03 381 8472. Email: [email protected]
START
Office Address: 18 Queenswood Gardens, Mairehau, Christchurch, 8052
Phone: 03 355 4414, Email: [email protected]
Website: https://starthealing.org/
Sexual Assault Support Services Canterbury (SASSC), a service of Aviva Family and Sexual Violence Services
Office Address: The Loft, Eastgate Mall, Christchurch
Postal Address: PO Box 24161 Christchurch, 8140
Phone: 03 378 3847, 0800 AVIVA NOW (0800 28482 669)
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.avivafamilies.org.nz/I-need-help/
Mid South Island Women’s Refuge and Family Safety Services
Office Address: 12 Sarah Street, Timaru
24/7 Crisis Line: 0800 007 750, Email: [email protected]
Oranga Tamariki, www.orangatamariki.govt.nz
Police: Adult Sexual Assault Team
Email: [email protected]
STOP: Adult, Child & Youth
www.stop.org.nz
Help Auckland
helpauckland.org.nz
Rape Crisis
www.rapecrisisnz.org.nz
AVIVA (Formally Women’s Refuge)
www.avivafamilies.org.nz
Ministry of Justice Sexual Violence Victim Advisor
www.justice.govt.nz
Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care (DASC)
www.dsac.org.nz
Police: Child Protection Team
Email: [email protected]
Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust (MSSAT)
survivor.org.nz
Te Ohaakii a Hine – National Network Ending Sexual Violence Together (TOAH-NNEST)
www.toah-nnest.org.nz
Wellington Help
www.wellingtonhelp.org.nz
Right Services Right Time (RSRT)
www.rightservice.org.nz
Social Service Providers Aotearoa Inc (SSPA)
www.sspa.org.nz
Spiritual abuse occurs when religious or spiritual beliefs are manipulated to control, frighten or harm someone. It can silence questioning, enforce submission and exploit faith for power. Survivors often face deep emotional and psychological scars.
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