Are you ready to uncover the secrets behind cults, brainwashing, mind control, and undue influence?

Gain profound insights and protect yourself and your loved ones from the clutches of manipulation. Join me, Dr. Steven Hassan, on a journey of knowledge and empowerment.



Picture this: You stumble upon a seemingly innocent group that promises answers, community, and purpose. Slowly, your thoughts are manipulated, your autonomy eroded, and your identity rewritten. You find yourself entangled in a web of mind control, completely unaware of the true nature of the group you've become a part of.

That's exactly what happened to me. I was a bright, independent young person, but I fell prey to the manipulative tactics of a cult. It took immense courage and years of study to break free from the grip of mind control and reclaim my life. Now, I'm here to share my knowledge and experiences with you.

Steven Hassan, PhD

Introducing Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course

A comprehensive program designed to arm you with critical knowledge and empower you to protect yourself and your loved ones.

In this course, you will dive deep into the psychology of cults, exploring the insidious techniques they employ to control minds and exploit vulnerabilities. With my expertise as a renowned expert in the field, I will guide you through the intricacies of brainwashing, thought reform, and undue influence.

You will gain a profound understanding of the warning signs, red flags, and manipulative tactics used by cults and other high-control groups. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to recognize and resist these influences, protecting yourself and those you care about.

But it doesn't end there. This course goes beyond awareness by providing you with practical tools and strategies to help individuals who may be trapped in the clutches of mind control. You will learn how to approach and support them, offering a lifeline for those seeking to break free.

Now is the time to equip yourself with the knowledge and insights necessary to navigate the complex world of cults and undue influence. Join me, Dr. Steven Hassan, on this transformative journey of understanding, empowerment, and protection. Enroll in Understanding Cults: A Foundational Course today and embark on a path of enlightenment and safeguarding.

Are you a Clinician seeking American Psychological Association Continuing Education Credits? Click here.

Protect Yourself and
Your Loved Ones

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Here's what's inside...

Help Yourself Help Others

    1. How To Navigate This Online Course & Important Notes

    1. Overview and Slide Notes

    2. Introduction {3:45}

    3. Bio-Psycho-Social Framework and What Are Psyops? {13:57}

    4. Judith Herman's Victims of Violence Trauma Seminar {1:41:04}

    5. The Influence Continuum {10:42}

    6. Symptoms of Undue Influence {23:32}

    7. How Would You Know If You Were Under Mind Control? {20:46}

    8. Quiz

    1. Overview and Slide Notes

    2. Introduction {0:23}

    3. Vulnerability: Myths and Facts {20:34}

    4. 21st Century Vulnerabilities and Digital Technologies {16:01}

    5. Recruitment Strategies and Personality Types {18:49}

    6. Media Cults Use {3:17}

    7. Quiz

    1. Overview & Slide Notes

    2. Introduction {1:15}

    3. Cult Structure {4:59}

    4. Types of Cults {26:20}

    5. Cult Leaders, More Cult Types And Case Studies {19:08}

    6. Quiz

    1. Overview & Slide Notes

    2. The Influence Continuum In Depth {16:20}

    3. Brainwashing vs Mind Control {4:33}

    4. Hypnosis Ethical vs Unethical Uses {14:49}

    5. Quiz

    1. Overview & Slide Notes

    2. Introduction the Different Names for Mind Control {3:08}

    3. Historical Models Festinger, Lifton, and Singer {13:27}

    4. The BITE Model In Depth {20:49}

    5. Quiz

Check it out!

  • $199.00
  • 9 hours of video content
  • Freedom of Mind® Certificate of Completion

What they're saying about Understanding Cults:

A Foundational Course

5 star rating

Groundbreaking Course in Understanding Cults - A Must for Anyone Dealing with Cult Influence

Cynthia Reynolds

While not a therapist, we have had direct experience with cults and are actively involved in the process of de-programming from decades of the undue influence of a destructive cult. This course helped to frame many aspects of this process for us a...

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While not a therapist, we have had direct experience with cults and are actively involved in the process of de-programming from decades of the undue influence of a destructive cult. This course helped to frame many aspects of this process for us and provide a systematic way to look at the process of coming to understand what happened to us, with help from our therapist who also took this course. Steven Hassan is such as asset to the body of knowledge surrounding this phenomenon. We are more than grateful!

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5 star rating

An excellent course for understanding the psychology of cults and cult recovery

Joanna Gillan

As a former cult member, as well as someone who is undertaking studies to specialize in the psychology of cults, I hugely benefited from taking Dr Hassan’s course. Prior to this, I knew only my own cult experience. I was not aware that things I be...

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As a former cult member, as well as someone who is undertaking studies to specialize in the psychology of cults, I hugely benefited from taking Dr Hassan’s course. Prior to this, I knew only my own cult experience. I was not aware that things I believed were unique to my own cult, are actually common among many cults. The course helped me gain a deeper understanding of cult leader psychology, individual and situational vulnerabilities to being recruited, and many strategies of mind control. Most importantly, it outlines the path to recovery, and how therapists can help those heal from the very specific experience of mind control abuse. I was very fortunate to have found a therapist who was able to help me through the process of recovery, but I know others whose therapists struggled to understand the unique cult experience and how to help. I do believe that any mental health professional who takes this course will be better able to help former cult members recover and rebuild their lives. - Joanna Gillan, BSc (Psychol.)

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5 star rating

Very informative and insightful

Ariela Sarai

This course provides a clear and helpful framework for clinicians wanting to understand and work with clients who have experienced undue influence. I highly and wholeheartedly recommend it!

This course provides a clear and helpful framework for clinicians wanting to understand and work with clients who have experienced undue influence. I highly and wholeheartedly recommend it!

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5 star rating

Important and valuable information

Kirsten Moore

This course -- for clinicians and civilians -- teaches how to recognize and treat problematic undue influence and cults in our world and is so needed! Thank you, Dr. Steven Hassan.

This course -- for clinicians and civilians -- teaches how to recognize and treat problematic undue influence and cults in our world and is so needed! Thank you, Dr. Steven Hassan.

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Help Yourself Help Others

Want to enroll your group?

We have discounts available for you!

Learn More

Meet Your Instructor

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.