Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians

CE Hours 9

About this course

This course will help mental health professionals understand cults, brainwashing, thought reform, mind control, and undue influence. It will teach them how people can be programmed into a destructive authoritarian cult and inform them on undue influence and destructive cults. Additionally, they will learn how to recognize patients in need, several approaches that work, and guidelines when working with those affected by destructive cults. This is a course by Dr. Steven Hassan, a licensed mental health professional and former cult member. He has over 45 years of experience helping people recover from destructive cults including relationships, groups, and online influence.

Learning Objectives

Assess the components of healthy social influence.
List situational vulnerabilities that facilitate cult involvement.
Describe as well as diagram the structure of a cult.
Compare and contrast Due Influence and Undue Influence.
Identify several synonyms for Mind Control.
Analyze the psychology of cults.
Explain identity changes that cult members experience.
List elements of Scheflin’s Model of Social Influence.
Identify clinical tools and techniques for intervention.

Learning Levels

All Levels

Course Instructor(s)

Steven Hassan

Steven Hassan, PhD is a mental health professional and expert in undue influence tactics used by authoritarian leaders and destructive cults. His expertise includes harmful influence in cases of destructive religious and political cults, human trafficking, extremist and terrorist groups, one-on-one relationships, families, parental alienation, mini-cults, therapy and self-improvement groups, professional and institutional abuse, corporate and multi-level marketing programs, and harmful belief systems.

He developed the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control to identify control tactics and the Influence Continuum Model to discern ethical from unethical influence. He developed the Strategic Interactive Approach (SIA), as an effective and legal intervention alternative for families to help cult members. He is the author of four books including Combating Cult Mind Control, Freedom of Mind, and The Cult of Trump. His online video courses include Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians. He is the Founding Director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center, which provides training, consulting and support to individuals who are struggling to leave or recover from a cult and to families and organizations that are concerned about cult behaviors. He is also the founder of Freedom From Undue Influence, a not-for-profit entity founded to help conduct and publish the research on undue influence needed to update legal and social policies.

Dr. Hassan believes that access to the truth, freedom of thought, and freedom from undue influence are basic human rights. A complex systems approach, based in science and supported by the rule of law, is necessary to protect these rights. He is a member of the Program in Psychiatry and the Law at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Dr. Hassan began helping people affected by undue influence after he was deprogrammed from the Moon cult in 1976 at age 22. His over 47 years of experience give him a unique perspective on the damaging effects of undue influence and exploitation by destructive cults. He is a frequently requested speaker and media interviewee. Dr. Hassan holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Cambridge College and a Doctorate in Organizational Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University School of Leadership Studies. Visit freedomofmind.com for additional information.

Disclosure

DISCLOSURE OF RELEVANT FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS CE Learning Systems adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CE activity ― including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others ― are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (formerly known as commercial interests). The following relevant financial relationships have been disclosed by this activity’s planners, faculty, and the reviewer: PLANNERS AND REVIEWER The planners of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships. FACULTY The faculty of this activity have reported that they have no relevant financial relationships.

References

Castaño, Á., Bélanger, J. J., & Moyano, M. (2022). Cult conversion from the perspective of families: Implications for prevention and psychological intervention. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 14(1), 148–160. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000410
Eichel, S. K. (2022). The Theory That Won't Go Away: An Updated Review of the Role Hypnosis Plays in Mind Control. International Journal of Coercion Abuse & Manipulation, 3. https://doi.org/10.54208/1000/0003/001
Hankir, A.Z., Hassan, S. (2019). Psychological Determinants and Social Influences of Violent Extremism. In: Moffic, H., Peteet, J., Hankir, A., Awaad, R. (eds) Islamophobia and Psychiatry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00512-2_32
Hassan, S., Caven-Atack, J. (2020). Anti-Semitism in Cults and Hate Groups. In: Moffic, H., Peteet, J., Hankir, A., Seeman, M. (eds) Anti-Semitism and Psychiatry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37745-8_23
Holzer, J. C., Dew, A. J., Recupero, P. R., & Gill, P. (Eds.). (2022). Lone-actor Terrorism: An Integrated Framework. Oxford University Press.
Hassan, S. A. (2020). The BITE Model of Authoritarian Control: Undue Influence, Thought Reform, Brainwashing, Mind Control, Trafficking and the Law (Doctoral dissertation, Fielding Graduate University).
Hung, H. T. (Bosco). (2022). Keep Your Eyes on China’s Metaverse: Another Tool for Maintaining its National Security. The Journal of Intelligence, Conflict, and Warfare, 5(2), 1–31. https://doi.org/10.21810/jicw.v5i2.4340
Yousafzai, A. W. (2022). POLITICAL POLARIZATION AND ITS IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH: WHERE DO WE STAND? Khyber Medical University Journal, 14(1), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.35845/kmuj.2022.22777

CE Process Info

Content

Module 1: Bio-Psycho-Social Framework

8 parts
- Bio-Psycho-Social Framework Slide Notes
- Bio-Psycho-Social Framework Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. Bio-Psycho-Social Framework
- Part 3. Judith Herman’s Victims of Violence Trauma Seminar
- Part 4. The Influence Continuum
- Part 5. Symptoms of Undue Influence
- Part 6. How Would You Know If You Were Under Mind Control?
Module 2: Vulnerability and Recruitment

7 parts
- Vulnerability and Recruitment Accessible Notes
- Vulnerability and Recruitment Slide Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. Vulnerability: Myths and Facts
- Part 3. 21st Century Vulnerabilities and Digital Technologies
- Part 4. Recruitment Strategies and Personality Types
- Part 5. Media Cults Use
Module 3: Examining Destructive Cults

6 parts
- Examining Destructive Cults Slide Notes
- Examining Destructive Cults Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. Cult Structure
- Part 3. Types of Cults
- Part 4. Cult Leaders, More Cult Types And Case Studies
Module 4: Influence and Control

5 parts
- Influence and Control Slide Notes
- Influence and Control Accessible Notes
- Part 1. The Influence Continuum In Depth
- Part 2. Brainwashing vs Mind Control
- Part 3. Hypnosis: Ethical vs Unethical Uses
Module 5: Mind Control

5 parts
- Mind Control Slide Notes
- Mind Control Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction: the Different Names for Mind Control
- Part 2. Historical Models: Festinger, Lifton, and Singer
- Part 3. The BITE Model In Depth
Module 6: Cult Psychology

4 parts
- Cult Psychology Slide Notes
- Cult Psychology Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. Cult Psychology
Module 7: Identity Change In Cult Members

8 parts
- Identity Change In Cult Members Slide Notes
- Identity Change In Cult Members Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. Dissociative Disorders and Identity
- Part 3. Issues for Those Born or Raised In a Cult
- Part 4. Colonialization and Mind Control
- Part 5. Issues for Those Recruited into a Cult
- Part 6. The Three-Stage Model of Gaining Control and the Dual Identity Model
Module 8: How Clinicians Can Help

8 parts
- How Clinicians Can Help Slide Notes
- How Clinicians Can Help Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. A Specialized Approach
- Part 3. Scheflin’s Social Influence Model and Other Major Influences
- Part 4. Therapeutic Considerations for Survivors of Authoritarian Organizations
- Part 5. Important Clinical Qualities
- Part 6. Common Symptoms
Module 9: Strategies For Recovery

11 parts
- Strategies For Recovery Slide Notes
- Strategies For Recovery Accessible Notes
- Part 1. Introduction
- Part 2. Therapeutic Tools, Strategies, and Techniques
- Part 3. Identifying and Undoing Triggers
- Part 4. Cautions — Group Therapy and Therapeutic Intervention
- Part 5. Healing Goals, Reclaiming Spirituality, and Coping with PTSD
- Part 6. Family and Friends as Frontline Help
- Part 7. The Strategic Interactive Approach
- Part 8. The Authentic Self and Expressive Therapies
- Part 9. Additional Resources and Some Final Thoughts
Your Next Steps

9 parts
- Course Wrap Up
- Books by Dr. Steven Hassan
- General Interest Courses by Dr. Steven Hassan
- BITE Model of Authoritarian Control Downloadable PDF - available in English and in Spanish
- Influence Continuum Model Downloadable PDF - available in English and in Spanish
- Freedom of Mind® Resource Center Newsletter
- Freedom of Mind® Resource Center Website
- Freedom of Mind® Course Completion favicon to add to CV and signatures
- How to Obtain a CE Certificate

American Psychological Association (APA)

CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSEDSW)

CE Learning Systems SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0060.
New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

CE Learning Systems, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYSEDMFT)

CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0045.

FAQs

Refund Policy

We will allow refunds up to 48 hours after purchase of any one time payment product minus a $10 processing fee, provided only 1 module has been completed. Requests for refunds must be made in writing within this period of time.
Course Completion

To complete the course, review the course objectives, then review the material, and then pass the exam with a score of 75% or greater and lastly complete an evaluation. You will get 3 attempts to pass the course, before you will be asked to repurchase. Your certificate will be available to download immediately when you pass the course exam and complete the evaluation.
CELS Grievance

If a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education activities or processes, please contact Tyler Gibson via confidential email to tyler@celearningsystems.com as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion.
Disability Accomodations

ADA accommodations will be made in accordance with the law; please indicate your special needs prior to registering for the course by sending an email to support@ce-go.com or by calling us at 888 498 5578.
Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for behavioral health professionals, including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and MFT's.

Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians

About this course

Learning Objectives

Learning Levels

Course Instructor(s)

Disclosure

References

CE Process Info

Content

American Psychological Association (APA)

New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work (NYSEDSW)

New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (NYSEDLMHC)

New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology (NYSEDPSY)

New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage and Family Therapy (NYSEDMFT)

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