LinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterAmazonAmazonYouTubeVimeoRedditRss

News and Updates

Is Justin Bieber in a Cult?

2018-12-16T19:15:03-04:00July 27th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

A few days ago, there was an announcement that Justin Bieber abruptly canceled a large portion of his "Purpose" tour dates. Now we hear it might be because of his involvement with Pastor Carl Lentz of Hillsong Church in Montclair. Several articles have been posted that allege that the founder of Hillsong Church had molested at least one child, that the church holds faith healing services, and that many millions of dollars are being made in questionable ways. This controversy has led a lot of people to wonder, "Is Hillsong a cult?" I thought I might weigh in as [...]

My Week at the IALMH Congress

2019-02-13T13:35:08-04:00July 20th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

I want to share with you the wonderful experience I had attending the 2017 Congress of International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH) in Prague. From July 9-14 I was among over 1500 people from over 100 countries who gathered at this event. Being at the congress was a fantastic experience. I truly learned a lot and got to spend time with some great people. One of the co-founders of Harvard's Psychiatry and the Law program, Dr. Harold Bursztajn, asked me if I would like to speak on a panel with him and Dr. Ivana Viani. I was [...]

Persuading Someone to Take His Own Life: Judge Says She is Guilty!

2018-12-13T21:20:43-04:00June 22nd, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

On June 16, 2017, a Massachusetts woman, Michelle Carter, was found guilty in the precedent setting case of the involuntary manslaughter death of her boyfriend Conrad Roy. Roy, who died on July 13, 2014, carried out his suicide plan after receiving a number of text messages and phone calls from Carter when he was having second thoughts. After Roy’s death, Carter contacted friends seeking sympathy and confessing that she had been in communication with Roy during the event itself–doing nothing to help. Though there are no specific laws in Massachusetts making it illegal not to intervene in a suicide [...]

“Conversion Therapy” is Dangerous and Abusive

2018-12-15T20:26:38-04:00June 8th, 2017|Blog, News and Updates, Resources and Support|

The 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots is coming up on June 28, and many cities in America are holding Gay Pride parades and festivals around this time. With the Trump election and Mike Pence as Vice President, all the accomplishments advancing human rights seems like they are in jeopardy. This week, I attended the Pride Day celebration at Newton City Hall and Mayor Setti Warren created a liaison position and appointed trans activist Holly Ryan. Bob Parlin, founder of the Gay-Straight Alliance was recognized and given commendations from the Legislature. I’ve written before about how important it is to [...]

Mooniverse (My Former Cult) is Attempting a Reboot

2018-12-16T21:01:16-04:00May 11th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

Forty-one years ago today, I was deprogrammed from the cult of Sun Myung Moon. Many of you may not be familiar with the Unification Church, AKA the “Moonies.” The church and its many front groups and related organizations have not been in the news as much recently. They lost a lot of their American membership after this book exposed abuse and corruption within the Moon family. (Ex-member Nansook Hong wrote that her husband Hyo Jin Moon, the so-called sinless eldest son of the Messiah used cocaine, frequented prostitutes, and even hit her stomach while she was pregnant.) Despite founder Sun [...]

Parental Alienation Harms Children by Using Undue Influence

2019-01-15T15:12:10-04:00May 4th, 2017|Blog, News and Updates, Resources and Support|

This past week, a very important legal custody case was decided which involves Infowars’ Alex Jones and his ex-wife Kelly. Kelly Jones was able to successfully show that her children had been turned against her and unduly influenced by Alex Jones. The judge awarded her the power to decide where her children will live from now on. She will now have the opportunity to re-establish relationships with her own children. Parental alienation is real and its results are devastating. My friend and psychiatrist Nick Child's site is filled with wonderful resources. Through my work, I have had the opportunity to [...]

North Korea: Hopefully Not a Potential Global Waco?

2018-12-13T18:18:28-04:00April 20th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

 When it comes to North Korea, the Trump administration has been quick to rattle sabers regarding the threat of nuclear missile testing although it turned out the Naval Armada was traveling in another direction for maneuvers in the Indian Ocean. Fortunately, the last big North Korean missile launch was another flop–some news sources cite possible secret cyber countermeasures. However, the dropping by the U.S. of the largest non-nuclear bomb in Afghanistan and launching a cruise missile attack on Syria does seem to convey a message that the Commander in Chief is prepared to use the military–increasing tensions and risking war. [...]

Remembering the Boston Marathon Attack

2018-12-16T19:25:56-04:00April 12th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

Four years ago, on April 15, 2013, Boston was attacked by terrorists during its annual legendary Marathon. Four people lost their lives and 264 more were wounded. Boston Strong was the phrase used, but we all were in lockdown while police tried to hunt down those responsible. For me and countless others, it brought up painful emotions of the 9/11 attack. Soon, reports came out linking the attack to extremist beliefs and rumors of ties to Islamic extremists started circulating. As a mental health professional who lives in Newton and helps people that have been unduly influenced by cults [...]

Confusion Techniques Can Control Minds

2018-12-13T18:12:44-04:00April 6th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

Ever since Trump became a serious contender for the White House, and especially in recent days since he was sworn into office, confusion reigns. How can he say these things? How can he lie like that? Isn’t he completely contradicting what he promised during his campaign?Then when confronted, Trump lambasts the critical press calling them “pathetic, dishonest, and fake news.” From barring certain news organizations like CNN and Politico from a press conference to openly accusing the media of lying, Trump has started a war with America’s free press–a protection guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution.A recent Los [...]

Is It Good Policy to Ban Religious Cults?

2018-12-16T20:48:37-04:00March 30th, 2017|Blog, Current Events, News and Updates|

This week, there had been a lot in the news about Russia’s possible ban of the Jehovah’s Witnesses-- labeling them an extremist group. While I have personally worked with and become friends with many who have suffered as Witnesses under the policies of Watchtower, I do not agree that banning groups is a responsible policy. In Chapter 12 of my book, Combating Cult Mind Control, I discuss this issue at length. It is my belief that banning cults is not a productive way to solve the problems that surround them. Not only will this not address the core issues that [...]