A CE Course for Professionals:

Psychologists, Social Workers, Nurses, Professional Counselors, and Marriage & Family Therapists.

The CE Company is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The CE Company maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

  • Includes 9 sections and 9.2 hours of video instruction

    You will learn directly from Steven Hassan, PhD, MA, MEd, LMHC, NCC, and recognized destructive cult expert.

  • No Prerequisites

    This is a first-of-it's-kind course is for anyone who is concerned about 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.

  • Exams, Credits & Certificates

    Students will have exam questions to successfully complete the course.

    Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive:

    - 9 Continuing Education (CE) Credits / Certificate
    - Freedom of Mind Certificate of Completion

Instructor(s)

Steven Hassan PhD

Steven Hassan, PhD, is a licensed mental health counselor who has been educating the public about mind control, brainwashing, and destructive cults since 1976. He’s the author of Combating Cult Mind Control: The Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults; Freedom of Mind; The Cult of Trump, and he is the founder of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center.

Course Curriculum

    1. PDF notes with thumbnails to download to accompany Dr. Steve Hassan's course for clinicians.

    1. Module 1: Bio-Psycho-Social Framework (2:54:03)

    2. Module 1: Quiz

    1. Module 2: Vulnerability and Recruitment (49:08)

    2. Module 2: Quiz

    1. Module 3: Examining Destructive Cults (51:28)

    2. Module 3: Quiz

    1. Module 4: Influence and Control (35:31)

    2. Module 4: Quiz

    1. Module 5: Mind Control (37:12)

    2. Module 5: Quiz

About This Course

  • $525.00
  • 9.5 hours of video content

Testimonials

“As a medical doctor with decades of experience, I wish to say that I very much enjoyed the content and I think it is incredibly well done.
The course is highly comprehensive, and I do believe that anyone who takes all the modules will come out with a very good understanding of this topic.
If everyone took this course and absorbed the messages, the world would be a much safer and more loving place for all.”

Richard Parker, MD

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

Those interested in understanding cults and other harmful undue influence situations.

  • People in recovery

  • Concerned family and friends

  • Middle school, high school, college, and university communities (students, parents, educators, staff, student life, and counseling)

  • Community and advocacy organizations

  • Researchers & students writing papers and dissertations

  • Health and wellness professionals and coaches

  • Legal professionals

  • Financial advisors, law enforcement and military legislators, government and non-governmental organizations, media, other people who want to help

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Module 1 : Bio-Psycho Social Framework

    • Participants will discover the components of healthy social influence.⁣
    • Participants will identify the elements of unhealthy social influence. ⁣
    • Participants will recognize The Influence Continuum.⁣
    • Participants will learn the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control.⁣
    • Participants will provide examples of symptoms of Undue Influence.⁣
    • Participants will match symptoms of Undue Influence to a DSM 5 diagnosis.⁣
    • Participants will apply differential diagnostic skills to symptoms of Undue⁣ Influence and its corresponding DSM 5 diagnosis.

  • Module 2 : Vulnerability & Recruitment

    • Participants will list situational vulnerabilities that facilitate cult involvement.
    • Participants will describe individual vulnerabilities for and susceptibilities to cult involvement.
    • Participants will explain macro trends of the 21 st Century that contribute to cult involvement.
    • Participants classify cult recruitment strategies.
    • Participants will understand how cult recruiters classify individuals into 4 types of people and develop tailored recruitment tactics for each.
    • Participants will define Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) and how it pertains to cult involvement.

  • Module 3 : Examining Destructive Cults

    • Participants will define a cult.
    • Participants will describe as well as diagram the structure of a cult.
    • Participants will list and categorize types of cults.
    • Participants will identify and describe traits, characteristics, and behavior of cult leaders.

  • Module 4 : Influence and Control

    • Participants will analyze The Influence Continuum.
    • Participants will compare and contrast Due Influence and Undue Influence.
    • Participants will distinguish between Brainwashing and Mind Control.
    • Participants will examine the processes of Undue Influence.

  • Module 5 : Mind Control

    • Participants will identify several synonyms for Mind Control.
    • Participants will comprehend Leon Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Theory and apply it to Mind Control.
    • Participants will delineate 8 criteria of Robert J. Lifton’s Thought Reform Model.
    • Participants will outline Margaret Singer’s 6 Conditions for Thought Reform.
    • Participants will analyze Steve Hassan’s BITE Model of Authoritarian Control.

  • Module 6: Cult Psychology

    • Participants will analyze the psychology of cults.
    • Participants will analyze how cults control individuals’ subjective experience.
    • Participants will explain how cults employ selective recruitment.

  • Module 7 : Identity Change

    • Participants will explain identity changes that cult members experience.
    • Participants will describe Kurt Lewin’s 3-stage model of gaining control of the mind.
    • Participants will define the Dual Identity Model of cult members’ personality.

  • Module 8 : How to Help Through Psychoeducation and Empowering People to Become Their Authentic Self

    Participants will list elements of Scheflin’s Model of Social Influence.

    Participants will list key figures in social psychology and social influence. 

    Participants will name contributors to client-centered psychotherapy. 

    Participants will identify clinical considerations (including cautions) as well as qualities of effective clinicians.

    Participants will describe symptoms of cult involvement. 

    Participants will identify goals of healing.

  • Module 9 : Part 2 of How to Help Through Psychoeducation and Empowering People to Become Their Authentic Self

    Participants will acquire clinical tools and techniques for intervention. 

    Participants will articulate Steve Hassan’s Strategic Interactive Approach (SIA) to intervention.

PRICING & PAYMENT OPTIONS

While we have one price for the course, we have made payment plans available for those interested in taking the course to pay over time. While the payment plan doesn't incur interest, we do have a $100 discount if you can pay in full at the time of checkout.

FAQ

  • Will I get a certificate?

    Yes - you will receive Freedom of Mind certificate of completion.

  • Are there exam questions?

    Yes, there are exam questions which are required to complete the course.

  • Are there any prerequisites to taking this course?

    No. This course is available to anyone.

  • Do I need to take the "Understanding Cults: The Basics" course first?

    No. Content in the "Basics" course is included in this more in-depth "Foundational Course".

  • Is there a difference in the content between the "with CE" and "without CE" versions of the "Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course for Clinicians" courses?

    Ultimately, no. The content is the same, however to obtain CE credits, you must meet the requirements for completing the "CE" version of the course.

  • Grievance Policy

    We seek to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to center@freedomofmind.com. Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We will allow refunds up to 48 hours after purchase of this course minus a $10 processing fee, provided only 2 modules have been completed.

  • Conflict of Interest Policy

    There is no known commercial interest or conflict of interest for this workshop.

  • ADA Compliance

    Please contact center@freedomofmind.com if special accommodation is required.