Former members of a controversial Queensland church have called for an investigation into claims that followers are being emotionally and psychologically abused.

There are claims the Brisbane Christian Fellowship, based at Samford on the city's northside, is destroying families and relationships.

Social worker David Ward has told ABC TV's Four Corners program that the church and its affiliates around the country are doing more harm than good.

"In an age where the government talks a talk about funds and resources and mental health issues and yet there are thousands in Australia suffering in silence from mental health issues as a direct result of these groups," he said.

"That suggests to me that there's a a silent epidemic in Australia that we're unaware of."

Helen Pomery, a former member of the Brisbane Christian Fellowship, also told Four Corners the church is causing emotional and psychological damage to its followers.

"In the last six months before I was ex-communicated, I was very sick emotionally, mentally, and I was at the point of suicide, and I went to a GP and said to him I need help and he then sent me to a psychologist," she said.

Brisbane Christian Fellowship has declined to comment.