I feel sorry for her though as I feel that she's trapped. She used to be an agnostic verging on atheist but she attended an Alpha course soon after a bereavement and they took advantage of her while she was very vulnerable.
I think you are right - she IS trapped.
Alpha courses are usually very Christan in their ethos, and have been responsible for a number of people becoming Christian , This is the first time that I've heard anything negative about it - it's usually "This is what we believe and this is why. Take it or leave it." as far as I am aware. They encourage people to go to church (not necessarily the one that ran the course), but don't follow up or put pressure on anyone. (I've never been involved with Alpha myself - but I have heard a lot of good stuff about it from Methodist friends).
I wonder if your friend has come to faith through Alpha, and then been unfortunate enough to encounter this cult when she was still emotionally vulnerable and yet convinced that God exists?
I'd never even thought of such a scenario, but I can see how dangerous it could be.
Vulnerable person +someone who seems to have all the answers + "love-bombing" congregation = exploitation + disaster
to my mind.
And if someone emotionally insecure is convinced that it is their own fault that some awful things have happened in their life, then they will be desperate for others to "help" them - they become more and more dependent upon the cult.
Would she consider going to a different church (PP suggested RC church) for a different type of service and a non-blame culture (I'd hope!)?
Though even if she decided she wanted to leave them she'd have her work cut out - they won't let her go easily.