Joyce Martella, M.A., was raised in a pseudo-Christian cultic group in Northern California. The estranged daughter of the group's prophet-leader, she left after 24 years in 1984 and has been cut off from her many siblings and relatives there. She is currently a counselor and administrator at a Batterer's Intervention Program and pursuing a Doctorate in Depth Psychology. She is also an active speaker and facilitator in trauma and cult recovery.