American Psychological Association

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.

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

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 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.

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.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

This course is the first of its kind. Understanding cults and the people who leave cults is vitally important for clinician care and diagnoses. Even if you are not a licensed clinician, learning about this topic can help so many organizations and individuals.

Buy Now

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE?

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

  • People in recovery

  • Concerned family and friends

  • Parents

  • 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

  • Mental health and medical professionals (a separate CE course is in development)

  • 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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    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 Objectives

    Participants will acquire clinical tools and techniques for intervention. 

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

PRICING AND 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.

  • 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.