Rachel Bernstein, LMFT, MSEd

Meet Rachel Bernstein, a passionate educator and compassionate therapist with a journey rooted in understanding the need for connection and purpose, and how to set people on a road to recovery from trauma, and help them regain their power after it's been stripped away.

Beginning at Boston University's School of Education in 1987, Bernstein's enthusiasm for teaching took root as she earned her Bachelor of Science and teaching credentials. Her journey continued at USC's Rossier School of Education, where she cultivated her expertise with a Master of Science in Education (MSEd) and a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT) in 1989.

From 1989 to 1993, Bernstein embarked on a unique path, embracing roles as a Special Education Teacher and Family Therapy Intern at Vista Del Mar, Los Angeles, developing support groups for the siblings of those with special needs, and support groups for those who became ensnared in controlling and damaging relationships. In 1991, Bernstein achieved licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

From Los Angeles to Manhattan and back to Los Angeles, Bernstein's journey started by encompassing diverse roles and working with a unique population at the Cult Clinic. With an unwavering focus on recovery, she supported former cult members and their families, all while creating avenues for education and prevention. She ran the Speakers Bureau there, training former victims to go out and tell their stories. In New York, she was the clinician at the Cult Hotline and Clinic, providing counseling, a support group for former cult members, support groups for the families of those in cuts and dangerously manipulative relationships, and she was approached by media outlets, from news channels and newspapers, to educate the public about this issue. Her dedication to the community rippled beyond therapy as she also lent her heart and time to Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS.

Settling back in Los Angeles in 2001, Bernstein's private practice evolved into a haven of healing. She embraces general clients while providing a lifeline for former cult members and their loved ones. Her support groups, like beacons of resilience, aid those recovering from narcissistic relationships and the clutches of cults.

Bernstein's footprint extends further, from workshops, conferences, and media from CNN to The BBC, and from Netflix, and Starz to Hulu. She is on the board of the International Cultic Studies Association and is a yearly presenter at their conferences. She has gone back to USC, her Alma Mater, as a guest lecturer in the schools of Education, Social Work, and Psychiatry.