I recently gave my first TEDx talk on August 1, 2018. (update, it was added to the TED platform the end of November 2019). So exciting! I decided to give this blog the funny title […]
I Happily Join the TEDx “Cult” Read More
August 2, 2018: This past June, I did an online survey on influence to conduct, analyze and publish research on undue influence. Scientific data is required to help establish specific evaluation criteria to update legal and social
The BITE Model and Jehovah’s Witnesses Read More
June 19, 2018 I try to blog every week with updates about my work, research, current events, high control groups, coercive control, media and other topics. I have written pieces on U.S. politics, world news,
Freedom of Mind: Index of Blogs Read More
Steven Hassan speaking at 2018 ICSA conference July 12, 2018, 2018 ICSA Annual Conference Last week, I was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and gave a talk on the Freedom of Mind Approach to helping people raised
Freedom of Mind Resource Center: Mid-Year Update 2018 Read More
Download Influence Continuum June 28, 2018 This Influence Continuum graphic describes my model for evaluating influence–from the healthy to the unhealthy. My BITE model offers a list of concerning practices that represent unhealthy mind control:
A Response to Academics Who Say There Is No Undue Influence in Destructive Cults Read More
June 14, 2018 Dr. John Dehlin & Mormon Stories Podcast STEVEN HASSAN – WHAT THE MORMON CHURCH CAN LEARN FROM CULTS TO DO/BE BETTER Mormon Stories Podcast 938-939 About a month ago, we received an
The BITE Model & Mormonism: An Exploration with Ex-Mormon John Dehlin Read More
Have a Positive Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Not a Negative One In my opinion, giving up hope is a dysfunctional coping mechanism to deal with the pain. Unfortunately, it suggests incorrectly that there is nothing constructive that
Errant Belief #10: “We Have Lost Hope” Read More
6-18-2018 Update **This survey is now closed. We thank everyone that participated. We have received 1028 responses out of which 989 are 100% answered, giving us enough data to analyze. ** Please Take Our Scientific
Scientific Research Survey to Understand Influence Read More
Is She Really Free to Leave? This attitude presumes that the cult member has the freedom of mind, finances, and the resources to just “leave.” The bars are invisible but very real. In my experience,
Errant Belief #9: “She’ll Walk out on Her Own When She Is Ready” Read More
Are They Better Off Being Left in the Group? Sometimes family, friends, and even mental health professionals may think that a person is better off in the cult. This way, the family, and friends may
Errant Belief #8: “She’s Better Off Where She Is” Read More
Mental Health Awareness Month May is Mental Health Awareness Month! I wanted to write this blog on how some high control groups program their members away from mental health help. This is true, especially in
High Control Groups Program Members to Fear Mental Health Help Read More
The Freedom of Mind approach to recovery and healing from destructive cults is customizable and designed to meet the needs of most any person who has been influenced by a cult. People who were born
The Freedom of Mind Approach to Recovery and Healing from Destructive Cults Read More
