Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
ICSA Conference 2025 - Montreal, QC
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Navigating the Journey Out: Intervention Strategies for Supporting Current and Former Jehovah’s Witnesses Members from the High-Control Religious Organization, The Watchtower Society
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Michael Miller
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Abstract: This study explores intervention strategies for supporting former members of high-control groups, specifically Jehovah’s Witnesses, during transition periods of autonomy, critical thinking, and personal growth. High-control groups often impose rigid, unorthodox belief systems and restrictive social practices, making disaffiliation, disassociation, disfellowshipping, and shunning a complex and emotional process.
The following five research questions guided this study: How do current and former JW members of high-control groups navigate their transition out of the group, particularly regarding emotional, social, and spiritual adjustments? What are the primary challenges that current and former JW members of high-control groups face when dealing with the effects of group affiliation or disaffiliation? What intervention strategies can support current and former JW members in rebuilding healthy relationships and reintegrating into society? How do current and former JW members of high-control groups reconcile their past belief systems with their current values and worldviews? and What role do professionals (counselors, therapists, religious leaders, and many other professionals) play in facilitating effective interventions for current and former JW members? This phenomenological study aims to understand the lived experiences of individuals leaving the high-control religious organization, The Watchtower Society (TWS), and their day-today challenges.
ICSA Conference 2025 - Montreal, QC
-
Navigating the Journey Out: Intervention Strategies for Supporting Current and Former Jehovah’s Witnesses Members from the High-Control Religious Organization, The Watchtower Society
-
Michael Miller
-
Abstract: This study explores intervention strategies for supporting former members of high-control groups, specifically Jehovah’s Witnesses, during transition periods of autonomy, critical thinking, and personal growth. High-control groups often impose rigid, unorthodox belief systems and restrictive social practices, making disaffiliation, disassociation, disfellowshipping, and shunning a complex and emotional process.
The following five research questions guided this study: How do current and former JW members of high-control groups navigate their transition out of the group, particularly regarding emotional, social, and spiritual adjustments? What are the primary challenges that current and former JW members of high-control groups face when dealing with the effects of group affiliation or disaffiliation? What intervention strategies can support current and former JW members in rebuilding healthy relationships and reintegrating into society? How do current and former JW members of high-control groups reconcile their past belief systems with their current values and worldviews? and What role do professionals (counselors, therapists, religious leaders, and many other professionals) play in facilitating effective interventions for current and former JW members? This phenomenological study aims to understand the lived experiences of individuals leaving the high-control religious organization, The Watchtower Society (TWS), and their day-today challenges.
