A One-on-One Cult: Marissa Ghavami on Spiritual Manipulation and Trauma Recovery

In this episode of The Gaslight Effect Podcast, Dr. Robin Stern welcomes Marissa Ghavami, an advocate, actor, singer, producer, public speaker, trauma-informed coach, and founder of the nonprofit Healing TREE.

Marissa shares the story of the late-adolescent trauma that shaped her life and her work: a friendship and roommate relationship that slowly became psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, and cultically abusive. What began as a magical, deeply affirming connection turned into a one-on-one cult marked by gaslighting, coercive control, spiritual manipulation, isolation, and fear.

Together, Robin and Marissa explore why gaslighting can happen to anyone, even people who are confident, supported, successful, and self-aware. Marissa describes how subtle abuse can build over time, how spiritual language can be weaponized, and how survivors may begin questioning their own reality long before they recognize what is happening as abuse.

Marissa also discusses her healing journey, the trauma-focused therapies that helped her recover, and the work she now does through Healing TREE and trauma-informed coaching. She offers practical insight into nervous system regulation, mindfulness, somatic awareness, EMDR, brainspotting, and the importance of understanding trauma without shame or victim-blaming.

This powerful conversation is about surviving gaslighting, reclaiming the self, and transforming lived experience into advocacy, art, and healing for others.

To check out this and other episodes, head over to robinstern.com.

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Dr. Robin Stern's Books:

The Gaslight Effect

The Gaslight Effect Recovery Guide

Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders

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