Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center

Wellspring is a Christian-based retreat center. But [Wellspring counselor Tiffany] Hawkins said staff members let clients bring up the topic of God. They don't want to push spirituality because many clients left situations in which leaders used God to manipulate them.

"Some don't want anything to do with God," she said. "They have been wounded in the name of God."

People come to Wellspring with symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. They spend two weeks there, where counselors do one-on-one meetings and group sessions. The goal is to let former cult members tell their stories and teach them how to think critically again. - Source: Counselor helps cult survivors, Greeley Tribune (Colorado), July 6, 2003

Most senior staffers, including [Wellspring Founder Directory Paul] Martin, say they are themselves former members of cults. The staff is made up of Christians, but staffers say they respect clients' religious views and don't push Christianity on unwilling clients. They point out that Wellspring is an accredited health-care facility, no one comes there against his will and clients are always free to leave. - Source: Cult Exit, The Dayton Daily News, May 7, 2000