The Order of Psychologists expresses its solidarity with Lorita Tinelli and Luigi Corvaglia.

Dr. Lorita Tinelli and Luigi Corvaglia

Giuseppe Vinci, President of the Order of Psychologists of Puglia, expresses his closeness to professionals who work with victims of abusive cults.

These words come after the news of a parliamentary question in the Chamber of Deputies by Representative Stefania Ascari (M5S), in which she reports and draws attention to the harassment that scholars critical of cults and ideological radicalization receive, specifically the Local Health Authority (ASL) director Luigi Corvaglia, with threats even to his life, and the ongoing defamation of Lorita Tinelli, psychologist and president of CeSAP, the Center for Psychological Abuse Studies based in Noci, who has also been involved in the cause for over twenty years.

"Total solidarity with the professionals, Luigi Corvaglia and Lorita Tinelli, for the extremely important work they are doing. Their work is a testament to courage in the help they are able to provide to victims of mental manipulation," says President Vinci. "Psychologists are on the front lines in learning about this tragedy: we come across people who are struggling to free themselves from these groups. Tinelli and Corvaglia are doing their job thoroughly. I express my solidarity and thank them for what they do."

In 2024, CeSAP, which Corvaglia is a member of, held a press conference in the Chamber of Deputies to raise awareness of the issue and call for new surveys to be conducted nationwide to map the presence of abusive groups and new cults, precisely because data on the phenomenon is not up to date.

"Psychology is an art of liberation, and we help people free themselves from the inappropriate constraints that condition their lives and existence," the president continues, confirming how psychologists' work is often disliked. "Our field is never sympathetic to those who impose obedience and coercion, and it has always been opposed by totalitarian systems, which have always burned psychology textbooks."

And then he urges us not to underestimate the danger: "People who fall into sectarian organizations are often people who are going through a phase of vulnerability, individuals who are fragile at that moment and in search of certainties, points of reference."

And the primary technique commonly used to lure is love bombing, a way to quickly break down the victim's defenses.

In Puglia, several cases of psychological abuse involving "holy men" or controversial cults have been reported over the years. For this reason, CeSAP has repeatedly urged the Puglia Regional Council to establish an observatory.

"We appreciate the work of Dr. Tinelli, who, with the creation of the association, was a pioneer and fighter in this field," Vinci concludes. "We will meet with the two professionals and together find ways in which the order can help."

QUOTIDIANO DI BARI del 10/10/2025