When Gillie Jenkinson was in her early 20s she ended up in a religious group that developed into a cult.
She says it was in the 1970s and creating 'community' was very popular, but one man soon took over the group.
It then started to show the hallmark signs of being a cult - there was coercive control, physical beatings and financial exploitation.
It wasn't until the man was confronted by a group of women in the group that the cult fell apart and Gillie left with Tony, another member, who she would end up marrying.
Gillie then had a long journey bouncing from various religious groups before deciding on a career as a counsellor.
She has since become a leading expert in psychotherapy for people leaving cults.
Gillie is the director of Hope Valley Counselling in the UK, and is in New Zealand giving workshops on cult recovery training.
She was also a keynote speaker at the Decult Conference held in Christchurch last weekend.
A Give-A-Little page has been set up by the Olive Leaf Network to cover the cost of bringing her to New Zealand.
Photo: Supplied by Gillie Jenkinson
