Endorsements

“Steven Hassan’s work could change the lives of millions…At the end of his specialized counseling, people report that their addiction to the cult had disappeared. This has helped the individual as well as their family members. They started to feel empowered almost immediately and today they feel better than ever. Hassan’s clients are thrilled with their new lives.”

Dr. Brian Alman
Author of Self Hypnosis and Six Steps to Freedom

“My mother joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses when I was 7 years old and by the time I was 18, I was baptized and fully committed. By 20 I was being disfellowshipped. While I went on to have a highly successful career as an actor, entertainer and comedian (including being on Saturday Night Live), I realized that I was still operating with a lot of programmed phobias and beliefs from the group. It had deeply affected me and it was reading Steve Hassan’s Combating Cult Mind Control that began to fill in what I was not understanding. I decided to contact Steve and after checking out his credentials flew to Boston to do some intensive work with him to clear away the past indoctrination. It was a very positive experience and I want to go on the record that it was worth the time, effort and expense. I meet so many former cult members with trust problems, within themselves and with others. People who have been in therapy but are not getting to a really functional place. I highly recommend Steven Hassan’s Freedom of Mind Approach because it helped me truly understand cult mind control and how to heal myself.”

Jerry Minor

11/18

I was in a bible cult for nearly 13 years. Things that happened to me in the cult and the process of leaving the controlling group left me with debilitating psychiatric symptoms (i.e. dissociation, suicide attempts, self-harm). I was unable to work, had to be on welfare and then on disability, and was hospitalized more than 12 times. Traditional psychotherapy supported me, gave me a lifeline, and helped me become more functional over time. But the fact that these symptoms were related to the type of coercive control perpetuated by cults was poorly understood by every single mental health professional I encountered. This ignorance led to misdiagnosis and medication instead of what was most needed: engagement in psychoeducation about cults and a framework to understand what happened to me.

Getting short term cult-related counseling from Steve Hassan helped me to understand what had happened to my mind. Steve gave me the skills to reconnect to parts of myself which had been damaged by the cult, and empowered me to live to my fullest potential, without the need for psychiatric medication.

I no longer have the severe dissociation or self-harm urges that plagued me for more than 10 years after leaving the cult. Widespread ignorance about cult mind control caused me unnecessary suffering.

I still find the support of traditional psychotherapy, along with other self-care practices, to be vital to continuing to live a healthy, fully connected life, but I am sorry that so many therapists and mental health systems fail to recognize the specific type of trauma caused by coercive groups. I hope that the system will look back on the work of Robert Jay Lifton and Margaret Thaler Singer, as well as contemporaries like Steve Hassan, to include treatment of this type of complex trauma into mental health training.

“I was a high level leader in one of the largest MLM’s* in the world. I left when I discovered that almost all who participate lose money. However, the real loss was the years of, unbeknownst to me, psychological indoctrination. I witnessed and was part of thousands being indoctrinated to believe that MLM is the ONLY way to be successful, happy and serve God. Steve’s work quite literally saved my life. After reading Combating Cult Mind Control, I reached out to Steve’s office and decided to do some intensive work with him. I came to his office in  Boston and I finally understood about cult mind control and how to begin to heal. I have since been able to help countless others who reached out to me after I left the group. I wholeheartedly recommend Steve, his work and his books.”

E.S.

*MLM stands for Multi-level-Marketing

I wish to encourage anyone who has experienced an abusive, narcissistic psychopath, like I have, to not suffer or rely on just any mental health professional. Nine months after breaking down and still being largely unable to sleep or function, I flew to Boston to work intensively with Steven Hassan. It was enormously helpful for me to share my experiences and for him to explain the techniques of covert hypnosis and NLP that had been used on me for years! I had been so terribly confused. So many phobias had been implanted in my mind that unraveling the grip of the mind control that had nearly irreparably destroyed me was a key to me reclaiming my personal power. While there are of course many gifted therapists who do significant work in numerous areas of mental health, there is no way that the standard model of seeing someone one hour a week—or working with someone who is not extensively educated in the area of mind control—would have ever worked to assist me. It took a world class expert like Steve to first recognize the nature and devastating effects of what had been done, and then to hone in on the specific kinds of healing that would be most effective. Thank you, Steve!

M.B.

In 2017, I and my two grown children came to the clear realization that my wife of nearly 40 years (and their mother) was trapped in a destructive cult. We knew that this situation was beyond what we could deal with on our own and decided that we needed professional help or we would likely lose her. Extensive internet research led to a few potential professional options and Steve Hassan seemed the best qualified. Speaking with him and reading his books made it clear that he was right for us and he accepted our case. After asking for references and speaking with two other families who were helped by Steve, it seemed clear he has had good success and we proceeded to do a two day preparation meeting involving my wife’s siblings who were professionals, former members of the group and close friends.

That began a months long process of preparing for a voluntary intervention. This was a very complex and stressful process with lots of moving parts. During this period his thoughtful advice and attention to detail was always spot on. We did a lot of texting using an encrypted app as well as video conference calls. His 40 years of experience, thoroughness, and professionalism were on full display throughout. His communication skills were remarkable. More than once when things seemed the darkest he assured us that “love is stronger than mind control.”

In fact, this is true. The intervention was 100% successful and I will be forever in Steve’s debt for literally saving my family. It has been 7 months since the intervention and my wife and I just returned from an anniversary trip to Italy.

P.R.

Our family is extremely grateful that we met Steve and he agreed to offer assistance to bring back the wife of our best friend from a rabbit hole she was going down. Thanks to Steve’s patience, focus, counsel and knowledge, we all came away from the experience with hope renewed and our dear friend back and healing from a long dark journey.

I personally was impressed with the steady, loving way that Steve built the case and educated all of us who joined in the effort.

It was life changing for all who participated in the most positive way.

C.P.

One of our family members became involved with a destructive cult. We were at a loss as to what to do. A family friend knew of Steve’s work and suggested that we contact him. Steve and his team were a lifeline for us. Steve did a great job creating a plan tailored to our situation. Steve and his team were a tremendous resource as well as a welcoming shoulder to lean on during our tough times. Ultimately, we were successful in getting our family member to wake up and and start thinking critically again. Steve and his team were so helpful to us in our time of need, and we are forever grateful for their support and guidance.

M.S.

I first became aware of Steve Hassan in the 1990s when a concerned relative gave me a copy of Combating Cult Mind Control. The book was and continues to be enormously helpful to us in understanding and getting free from a group situation that was harmful to myself and my family. As time passed, I saw Steve mentioned in other publications and I saw him appear as a consultant on CNN: he is not only a widely recognized expert in this field, he has made significant contributions to the field himself.

This last year I had an opportunity to work with Steve directly as he helped a dear friend of ours recognize and get free from a situation of undue influence. He is a masterful listener, a compassionate counselor, and he treated our friend with great respect throughout the process. Most importantly, the effort succeeded in helping her to regain the ability to think for herself.

J.W.

Steve’s work is second to none. He has a level of expertise and knowledge in the realm of cult mind control that is unparalleled. Having his decades of experience at our disposal, it was easy to give him the reins to help my mother choose freedom over a destructive guru cult. My family is forever indebted to Steve and he will always have my family’s enthusiastic support.

J.R.

Dear Steve,

I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me! As you know, the love of my life was born into the Jehovah’s Witnesses. We met 20 years ago, and fell madly in love. Unfortunately, after my own research, and a valiant effort as a teenager, I was unable to convince her that the Watchtower was a destructive organization and an abusive high control group.

After 3 years of dating, we parted ways back then, sadly and solely due to “religious” issues, as her parents wanted her to marry another Jehovah’s Witness, and she was ill-equipped at such a young age to handle that kind of pressure. She did marry a JW, and let’s just say it didn’t work out for her. Upon my receipt of an email from her after 17 years of “radio silence,” we picked up right where we left off, but still had the issue of the mind control that was plaguing our relationship.

I found you online and emailed you right away with the header, “Manna from Heaven!” Boy was I right! You were so patient and kind to me in our prep calls and for the first time ever, I felt as though someone understood my situation. That alone was a wonderful feeling! I was very well versed in the JW doctrine but you educated me so much on my interactions with her and how to process my feelings and thoughts and emotions. Your books, “Freedom of Mind” and “Combating Cult Mind Control” were huge for me!!

Eventually, using your Strategic Interactive Approach, we were able to arrange a sit down with the three of us for 3 days and have you speak to her, allowing her to maintain her own thoughts and free will the entire time. The interaction was brilliant to watch, and most importantly, effective in achieving the desired result!! You got her out!! Her and I can now live the life together that we’ve always wanted to live! She is so HAPPY and so GRATEFUL to you!!! As am I! You literally saved my life, her life, and the life of her 3 children through your efforts and kind, warm approach.

We are eternally grateful and wish there were words to express the way we feel right now. You are incredibly gifted at what you do as a professional, and without a doubt, a truly honorable man! Thank you again and we’ll see you at our wedding in a few years!

Sincerely,

J.M.

During my last year at college I was recruited into a quasi-Buddhist/Business/Computer-programming cult. Within months I planned on leaving my friends and family behind, forever. My parents hired Steve to teach them how to communicate with me effectively, and he ultimately led a peaceful exit-counseling session, which was calm, respectful, and a complete success. During the session, I actually had the sensation of “popping” out of a foreign mind state, as if I had been living someone else’s dream for the past year. I cannot recommend Steve’s services enough.

Jim Picariello

“Steven Hassan’s writings and life work fill a critical need in our health and our lives. Health care professionals have long ignored the essential role that social psychology and influence play in our efforts to be healing. Beyond the skills of therapeutic persuasion in our own clinical effectiveness, too many sources of undue influence pervade our culture to ignore its significance in health and illness. Our work must include investing in the resiliency of those for whom we care by teaching them to test their realities, to value their intuitions, to know their own minds. This is Hassan’s mission. He succeeds largely because of his intelligence, passion and dedication. Those are contagious characteristics and just cause for due influence.

Laurence I. Sugarman, M.D. F.A.A.P., A.B.M.H., Director and Research Professor, Center for Applied Psychophysiology and Self-regulation, Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology; Past-President, American Board of Medical Hypnosis. Co-author, Therapeutic Hypnosis with Children and Adolescents, second edition.

“Hassan brings decades of thought and experience to his invaluable work in helping people emerge from “thought reform” and mind control and to reassert the precious human attribute of freedom of the mind.”

Robert Jay Lifton, M.D.

Author of “Witness to an Extreme Century : A Memoir” and “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism”

“Steven Hassan is a compelling spokesman on the topic of cult mind control, which encompasses issues of human identity and our innate psychological vulnerability to dissociate. In addition, he educates and challenges us to think about the groups using mind control techniques in our culture, and how to help those affected reclaim their lives. His commitment to this neglected area of human experience is exemplary. At my invitation, Steven has taught psychiatry residents at Brigham and Women’s Hospital about these issues for the last 14 years. Knowledge of these issues is crucial for all mental health professionals.”

Mary K. McCarthy, M.D.,

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry

Harvard Medical School

“We were quite honored to have Steven Hassan as our keynote speaker at the 2014 National Human Trafficking Conference in Cleveland, OH. Mr. Hassan shared The BITE Model of Mind Control applied to Trafficking which really gave all of the first responders and all of the conference attendees an understanding of how pimps and traffickers operate to take control of the victim’s behavior, intellect, thoughts and emotions which was invaluable information for those working to help restore the lives of victims of this heinous crime.”

Renee Jones, President & CEO

Renee Jones Empowerment Center

“We at My Life My Choice have been grateful for the opportunity to learn from Steven Hassan about mind control and its relevance to the trafficking field. As we learn new techniques to combat the debilitating effects of pimp control, Steven’s wisdom as both a cult survivor and an expert in his field are invaluable.”

Lisa Goldblatt Grace, LICSW, MPH
Co-Founder & Director
My Life My Choice

“I got my hands on this invaluable book, Combating Cult Mind Control, when I met Steve at a Human Trafficking conference for FBI and Homeland Security. He was presenting on mind control and I was sharing my story as a survivor of Sex Trafficking. Listening to Steve from the audience, I was floored that 90% of the mind control techniques he outlined were exactly what my pimp had done to me. Yes I was physically abused and fearful of escaping, but I was also under some intense mind control. Now, having read this book (and underlining almost every paragraph) I can finally put a name to the techniques my pimp systematically indoctrinated me with (e.g. emotion control, double-bind, thought suppression, etc.). It’s opened my eyes to a whole new way of understanding what was done to me and, more importantly, how to undo it! Knowledge truly is power. Thank you, Steve, for this power!”

Rachel Thomas
Co-Founder
Sowers Education Group

“Steven Hassan’s book Freedom of Mind is especially valuable to those of us working in fields that are not yet understood as cults. I work in the field of trafficking for prostitution, in which survivors describe the same psychologically destructive social influences that Steven Hassan details in the book. To give a few examples: an extremely controlling leader (pimp or trafficker) who postures as omnipotent, coerced adherence to a worldview and values that turn one’s previous values upside down, control and regulation of body functions, enforced dependence, degradation, coerced gratitude, sensory deprivation, capricious rules, traumatic bonding, and deliberate creation of dissociated parts of the self. Steven Hassan demystifies the complex manipulation and adverse influence of malignant groups in a way that clarifies and instills hope. The book is useful not only for advocates and survivors but for clinicians and attorneys who want to better understand and help their clients.”

Melissa Farley, Ph.D., Executive Director

Prostitution Research & Education, San Francisco

“No one understands the cult experience better than Steve Hassan, and no one is better qualified to help people break free of their devastating effects. I wish there had been a Steve Hassan in my life when I needed one.”

Mitchell Kapor, technology entrepreneur and investor
Founder, Lotus-Development Corporation
Co-founder, Electronic Frontier Foundation

“Freedom of Mind is a courageous and powerful book that combines innovative theory with effective, practical applications to penetrate the often misunderstood and seemingly mysterious realm of cults, mind control, and other forms of psycho-spiritual slavery. Steven Hassan, whose late 80’s groundbreaking and essential text on cults, cult dynamics, and the extrication and recovery of people who have become ensnared in cults (Combatting Cult Mind Control), has clearly matured and evolved in his thinking and practice; he has gone on to produce another invaluable contribution to this still poorly understood area of human experience. Filled with deep compassion and wisdom, Freedom of Mind takes the reader on a journey through the mazes of pathological human influence, cult practices, and the patterns and beliefs that sustain various forms of psychological hostage/slavery behavior and dynamics. His book aims to assist people (and their families and friends — helping in, and also benefiting from, the healing process in Hassan’s vision of healing) victimized in cults to understand and contextualize their experience in clearly stated universal principles. Hassan’s thorough and systematic presentation of intervention strategies and their underlying philosophy is truly impressive. He explains how to disentangle people (and help them disentangle themselves) from matrices of utter and complete personality destruction, where individuals have almost completely lost any sense of critical thinking, autonomy, or authentic personality functioning. Hassan’s deep understanding of the cult survivor’s problems of shame, loss of dignity, and attachment to ideologies and omnipotent authority figures offers a solid foundation for clinicians and, clergy, and family members and friends who are approaching those victimized by extreme undue influence and groupthink. In a word, Hassan has covered all the bases and done so with a level of clarity and sophistication.

Unfortunately, cult dynamics and undue influence are still subjects that remain on the periphery of education in the mental health fields. Because Hassan’s latest book significantly demystifies cult practices and delineates methods to support victims’ struggles to heal at an even deeper level than in his prior work, Freedom of Mind represents a rare and essential contribution to the field that should be required reading for all mental health professionals and clergy as well as lay people involved in various recovery programs. The book is both encyclopedic and yet completely accessible. It exposes in systematic detail the methods and madness of cults and the creative and relationally-oriented interventions required to help restore the cult victim to sanity, to dignity and freedom, and to resurrect his or her critical thinking capacities most which had become buried, dislocated and compartmentalized during the years of cult indoctrination and cult membership. Hassan’s work is actually translatable across a wide range of human hostage and malevolent group situations beyond mainstream and underground cults — from pathological family systems, exploitative business and self-help/human potential movement groups, pimps/prostitution, human trafficking, criminal cartels, and to all past and modern day slavery situations. His compassionate approach underscores the value of human relationship, inclusivity, dialogue, patience, persistence, humor/creativity and non-dogmatic forms of intervention. His keen savvy as a kind of warrior approaching these complex matters — turning cult mind control upside down and forcing it to collapse in on itself — is always balanced with tenderness, humor, and an appreciation for the irony buried in cult hypocrisy. While not shying away from articulating disturbing aspects of human nature and human group experience, Hassan reminds all of us — readers, healers, victims, survivors, theorists, philosophers, clergy – that in spite of the undeniable power and efficacy of cult strategies and systems, there remains an authentic self buried and protected at the core of all human beings regardless of the amount of time spent in the cult, regardless of how deeply and cruelly the participation in the worst of the group behavior might have been. I highly recommend this book not only for all the reasons outlined above, but because this book serves as a truly rare and powerful light on a still poorly illuminated region of our collective human experience where hundreds of thousands of our fellow human beings remain trapped, helpless, and almost beyond reach. I wholeheartedly honor and celebrate Steven Hassan’s contributions and commitment to the universal struggle for freedom, human rights, and transparency in human social systems.”

Dr. Harvey Schwartz, Ph.D.

Author of Dialogues With Forgotten Voices and The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep

“Freedom of Mind is a compassionate and intelligent guide for anyone who has ever been caught up in a cult or cult-like organization. Hassan offers perceptive and non-coercive guidance to family and friends of those whose idealism or vulnerability has led them to become cult members. Further, the book provides valuable insights into the control and manipulation that can occur in abusive personal relationships such as those experienced by battered women. It is a vital tool for professionals and laypersons alike.”

Peter R. Breggin, M.D. Author of Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal and Medication Madness: The Role of Psychiatric Drugs in Cases of Violence, Suicide and Crime

“When Steve Hassan was still a high ranking member in the Unification Church, I participated in an unsuccessful voluntary deprogramming of my daughter, Barbara. For two days the team leader pounded at the cult member and her group. Deliberately, he insulted them using bathroom language on the theory that the cult member would “snap”. We failed. As she returned to her group the cultist remarked, “Where was the love?” If the team leader and the cult member had had the opportunity to read Hassan’s “Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs,” the results might have been quite different. Hassan has skillfully condensed his more than 35 years of experience in liberating members of destructive groups into a valuable workbook for counselors, cult members and their families, and mental health professionals. His formula, the Strategic Interactive Approach, stresses love, respect, freedom of choice, customized planned action fitted to the individual with the family as key participants, psychotherapy, and applied social psychology.”

Arthur A. Dole, Ph.D, ABPP. Emeritus Professor, Former Member Board of Directors International Cultic Studies Association

“The essence of Steve Hassan’s work is the liberation of the human potential in all of us. Can anyone of us be really free when others are enslaved? Steve’s emphatic “no” to this agonizing question makes Releasing the Bonds a vibrant tool for so many of us in the helping professions. As a rabbi and teacher, I am always inspired by Steve Hassan’s integrity and determination. Let it continue for many years.”

Moshe Waldoks, Ph.d. Rabbi, Temple Beth Zion, Brookline, MA and Author of The Big Book of Jewish Humor

“As a Baptist pastor for 35 years, I take no pleasure in testifying that religious abuse is one of the most pressing social problems in the world today. True religion always serves to liberate– never to enslave. Steven Hassan’s work is instrumental for anyone seeking understanding of religious mind and thought control, and how to free themselves or loved ones from it. He not only brings exhaustive authority, research, and expertise to this critical field, but also compassion, respect, and sensitivity. Every pastor, minister, social worker, therapist, and counselor needs to read his books!”

The Rev. Charles Foster Johnson, Pastor, Bread Fellowship, Fort Worth

“Steven Hassan is one of our most eloquent defenders of freedom of the mind. For decades he has labored mightily on behalf of the majesty of the human spirit. His good work has brought psychological and spiritual relief to countless victims and families who have unknowingly stumbled into the clutches of mind control perpetrators. As a spokesperson for the ordinary individual’s right to be the master of his or her own thoughts and choices, Hassan has resisted the dangers and threats manufactured by manipulators who have sought to silence his courage. His new book will bring special hope for current victims, but it should be read by anyone who values individuality.”

Alan W. Scheflin, Professor Emeritus of Law

Santa Clara University

Coauthor of The Mind Manipulators; Recipient of seven awards in the field of mental health.

“With Freedom of Mind, Steve Hassan has provided a reasoned, principled, and highly readable approach to attacking a serious social problem. We need this book!”

Robert B. Cialdini Ph.D, Author of Influence, Founder of Influenceatwork.com

“I was raised as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I was always taught that the religion was unique, completely separate from all taint from false teachings and influences. Until I read Combating Cult Mind Control.

Seeing that the techniques, patterns, and behaviors that they use are common in all destructive mind control cults showed me that it could not be the true religion, because it did not allow anyone to actually be a true person. It was a jump start to discovering my authentic self and has proven to be invaluable as a touchstone to make sure that I don’t fall sway to undue influence again. Thank you Steve”

Tristetryste

“I found that after reading the book I was able to quickly identify the elements that constitute cult mind control. In fact, using the BITE model has been useful in identifying toxic work environments, ‘cultish’ political parties and social groups… all useful tools for leading a happier life.”

BachandBeethoven

“Your BITE model in Combating Cult Mind Control was invaluable in helping me see that I was part of a cult. The guidelines on what differentiates a cult from a benign group are something I think most people would agree with, and when you read through the checklist and realize that your religion checks almost every box it’s a very eye opening moment. Your book helped open my eyes to the toxic nature of the group I was in, and I know it has helped many other people as well. In the support groups I am a part of, your book and the BITE model it discusses are often the first things we direct people to. I consider it a valuable resource for anyone who is starting to worry that they may be involved with a cult.”

Havinacow

“Combatting Cult Mind Control helped prove that I wasn’t crazy. It helped me to discern the thinking processes that had been carefully laid down in layers over many decades by those who influenced in my life. Even now Mr. Hassan’s book helps me in personal and business relationships by helping to alert me to those using similar techniques in an attempt to exert undue influence in my life.”

Iceberg____

“Found this book of great benefit. It takes an objective view of mind control and explains in an easy to understand manner, just how easily the human mind is manipulated. A comforting, helpful & informative resource to help build up confidence in your own thinking skills to navigate your life without being dictated to by the JW WatchTower Society.”

VisionOn

“Combating Cult Mind Control was an eye-opening experience. That little voice in the back of my head that had quietly been telling me something was wrong, was now liberated and amplified. Each chapter put more and more into focus. I was able to see clearly how I was being manipulated and controlled. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your incredible work.”

Beardgate