Our Team

Tara Backes

Administrative Assistant

 

Owner of Projects Made Simple, LLC, a virtual-assistant firm, Tara directly focuses her team and work solely with small businesses and nonprofits all over the world. Her mission is to provide day-to-day online support in all areas while helping her clients do what they love. With a Master’s in Business Management and Project Management, she has successfully virtually managed more than 300+ clients and led teams for more than 20 years.

Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion with Dr. Janja Lalich- Tara Backes,<br /> Administrative Assistant

Nichole Nelson

Workbook Co-Author

 

Nichole is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Rhode Island College, where her scholarly pursuits focus on coercive control and onworking with survivors, including individuals who are hesitant to seek mental health support. Nichole supports the Lalich Center through writing and hosting a psychoeducational book club.

Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion with Dr. Janja Lalich- Nicole Nelson, Workbook Co-Author

Melanie Friedman, LCSW

Content Creator

 

Melanie Friedman, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in complex trauma and recovery from coercive control environments. A survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry, she combines clinical expertise with lived experience to support trauma survivors and advocate for improved awareness, prevention, and mental health treatment for those affected by coercive control systems.

Melanie Friedman, LCSW

Frank Fradella

Graduate Intern/Media & Communications

 

Frank Fradella is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. As a Graduate Intern with the Lalich Center, he supports communications, public education, and creative projects that help make information about cults and coercive control more accessible. A former cult member himself, Frank’s professional interests include counseling survivors of high-control groups, coercive control, and trauma recovery. Before entering the counseling profession, he spent more than two decades as a writer, filmmaker, and creative director, producing educational and documentary media.

Melanie Friedman, LCSW