"Looking back at it now, it's terrifying," he says. addyd477c46acce837837ff43023e001dfd2 = addyd477c46acce837837ff43023e001dfd2 + 'colleenrussellmft' + '.' + 'com'; 383 (1983)Google Scholar; Note, Tort Liability for Cult Deprogramming, 43 Ohio St. L.J. Hassan has several models to illustrate how healthy influence differs from the unhealthy, along with criteria to help determine whether a group is, in fact, a cult. var addy08a3115d0b8c7e253703ff3626436340 = 'dwehlelcsw' + '@'; In 1995 the coercive deprogramming method was litigated again in Scott vs. Ross. BENSCOTER: Yeah. addyf020b5c9b482943f070d4f6e57a6e054 = addyf020b5c9b482943f070d4f6e57a6e054 + 'bellsouth' + '.' + 'net'; Y'know the news ain't gonna give you the whole thing.". UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: This is a scamdemic (ph). var addy8034107a87f3497c1eaf99e1fec2acf0 = 'info' + '@'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy3b255930a16b40f719162d87866cd410 = 'hochmanmd' + '@'; The numbers for PCR testing SHAPIRO: Shasta County is rural, mostly white and very Republican. You know, the news ain't going to give you the whole thing. Phone: (347) 554-0191. He hopes destigmatizing those who have fallen prey to disinformation, and might make it easier for them to get out with their dignity intact. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; Today, experts say the engagement is voluntary, and more cooperative than confrontational. The similarities between cults and being in love with a narcissist fall into three basic categories: the people involved. "It establishes this camaraderie and this feeling of righteousness and this cause for your life, and that feels very invigorating and almost addictive," she says. document.getElementById('cloak1d5d405a44b140051bf1a553979856bb').innerHTML = ''; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; At its core, QAnon teaches that dozens of politicians and A-list. var addy_textd837acf5bd986a89f36638fee3f1630d = 'andreamoore4' + '@' + 'verizon' + '.' + 'net';document.getElementById('cloakd837acf5bd986a89f36638fee3f1630d').innerHTML += ''+addy_textd837acf5bd986a89f36638fee3f1630d+'<\/a>'; Colleen Russell, LMFT, CGP 1036 Sir Francis Drake Blvd Kentfield, CA 94904 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. A problem shared is a problem halved. Specializes in litigation against cults. Web site: www.goldhammer.com, Gerard Webster, PsyD SydneyProvides psychotherapy to ex-members of cults Web site: www.gerardwebster.comEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. Horshack joins a religious cult and decides to drop out of school to go live with with the cult members. The individuals who spoke to HuffPost described feeling entirely . document.getElementById('cloak12e374cf467cf94c035e499fed3d9ec1').innerHTML = ''; [2] [3] [4] It was founded in the wake of the 1978 cult mass murder/suicide at Jonestown, Guyana. var addy_text12e374cf467cf94c035e499fed3d9ec1 = 'consulta' + '@' + 'miguelperlado' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak12e374cf467cf94c035e499fed3d9ec1').innerHTML += ''+addy_text12e374cf467cf94c035e499fed3d9ec1+'<\/a>'; You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Has experience with cultic relationships and is familiar with the coercive persuasion techniques used by destructive groups.Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. 1: It can help to know that you are not the first person to leave a controlling group and you won't be the last. Approaches to helping people exit cultic groups, The biggest mistake families make is trying to argue with a loved one, says Pat Ryan, another former cult-member who has been working in the field for decades, and now calls himself an "interventionist.". It's a plandemic (ph), and it's a damndemic (ph). var addy_text7986d920f3745ab243b59af6f71579f5 = 'cyndersm' + '@' + 'verizon' + '.' + 'net';document.getElementById('cloak7986d920f3745ab243b59af6f71579f5').innerHTML += ''+addy_text7986d920f3745ab243b59af6f71579f5+'<\/a>'; The key, Hassan says, is to empower people and help them make their own decisions; for example, instead of trying to persuade a QAnon adherent to stop believing in the conspiracy theory, redirect them toward legitimate organizations working to stop human trafficking. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. MSNBC recently hosted a guest who claimed that people who watch FOX News are in a cult and need to be deprogrammed. Specializing in working with former members, and the families of those in cults.Phone: (818) 907-0036, Cathy S Harris, MSW, LCSWSan Diego Web site: www.discoveryouservices.com Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy91074be5ee59a2d78187577491ccc5ac = 'tbiegenlcsw' + '@'; 01.19.21. Phone: (415) 785-3513 Web site: www.ColleenRussellmft.com, Marlene Winell, Ph.D. Berkeley Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. Watch as he reviews cult scenes from films and television including 'The . It is now operated by the Foundation for Religious Freedom (FRF), a California corporation doing business as Cult Awareness. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. It can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. SHAPIRO: Of course, that's false. addyffec56a2dcd6b68be693d9a3ad7e4687 = addyffec56a2dcd6b68be693d9a3ad7e4687 + 'gerardwebster' + '.' + 'com'; Families Against Cult Teachings and Abuses Education & Awareness | Victim Support | Cult Group Investigation For further consultation and assistance, we recommend contactingJanette Allen at www.CultConsultant.org. Many are adamant, like Michelle Queen, that no one could change their mind. "I know it's been really tough," Benscoter offers. var addy9ab5a63abd787008bc43f649316071fa = 'sarawaters' + '@'; The jury awarded the plaintiff nearly US$5 million in total damages. SMITH: Eventually, thanks to a patient friend, Gilley came to understand how he, a left-leaning Obama supporter, allowed himself, as he puts it, to fall down a far-right rabbit hole. Michael Travesser is the leader of the cult called Strong City. A small industrydeprogramminggrew up around the posited need to rescue people's children from the clutches of cult leaders, alternately depicted as monomaniacal zealots or sociopathic . BENSCOTER: That is not what I'm about even a little. "They became like the enemy.". var addyf020b5c9b482943f070d4f6e57a6e054 = 'erikastille' + '@'; SHAPIRO: In some parts of the country, the threats against public health workers have gotten so bad that officials are resigning. At least 40 states are considering similar bills. 11. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The term deprogramming has been used since the 1970s to refer to a range of behaviors, all of which are aimed at convincing members of so-called new religious movements (NRMs) to leave such groups and return to more mainstream social and religious lifestyles. Govt considers deprogramming terrorists Mother saves daughter from religious sect Bob Pardon to the rescue History of Cult Deprogramming Breakthrough Scientologist "Deprogrammed" "She doesn't even Google," Queen says, "because she says Google doesn't show you the right things.". Comments on NXIVM, a sex-trafficking cult, on CBC 3/28/2018. var addy_text9305946a8da6033cf0ae51a493ea258b = 'info' + '@' + 'leonafurnari' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak9305946a8da6033cf0ae51a493ea258b').innerHTML += ''+addy_text9305946a8da6033cf0ae51a493ea258b+'<\/a>'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; A place with limited internet or phone will be especially helpful in giving them time away from the cult. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Specializes in recovery from authoritarian religious organizations. var addyc86dd6e18b3f6b7519f1d77b8ebc194c = 'ingozen' + '@'; The Deprogramming of Arnold Horshack: Directed by Bob Claver. Also, if he gets the family to back off a bit, he scores instant points with the loved one he's ultimately trying to reach. Also a former cult member and anti-cult activist. "I think now is the time to start building bridges, you know. We've come to start to think about it as an attack on the supply chain of information. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. In many places, those conspiracy theories are actually leading to some big policy changes. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Phone: (214) 607-1065 Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. That's what drew in 32-year-old Jay Gilley, a pizza delivery guy from Alabama who spent three years caught up in QAnon. "They didn't tell you all the others. Sadly, there is no magic hotline or manual to deprogram your QAnon-addicted loved one. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; "But it doesn't mean they need to be tortured or killed.". Kathleen Lee Cults require an obsessive and complete belief in a radical religious view or radical political group. "I'm not a fan of some of the Democrats," says Queen. Offers a bi-monthly free publication as well as other resources. var addy9305946a8da6033cf0ae51a493ea258b = 'info' + '@'; addy7a81c507740ba1e5a4b8252e1b215489 = addy7a81c507740ba1e5a4b8252e1b215489 + 'drjacquelinejohnson' + '.' + 'com'; addy3001007811159a16eabbf160ee2e3f2d = addy3001007811159a16eabbf160ee2e3f2d + 'comcast' + '.' + 'net'; Specializes in recovery from cults, trauma, and abuse. Patrick, and the parents who hired him, assumed that cult members must have been brainwashed, and therefore it was necessary to brainwash them, in reverse, in order to return them to "normality." SMITH: In other cases, the draw is what Benscoter calls easy answers to life's hard questions. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; . You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Phone: 317.536.5482, Deirdre Hart Wilson, CSW Las Vegas/Henderson A survivor of a destructive group who specializes in recovery from cults, trauma, and abuse.Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. document.getElementById('cloakc86dd6e18b3f6b7519f1d77b8ebc194c').innerHTML = ''; One click led to another, and he wound up deep into dark conspiracies and hate speech dressed up as dogma. Instead, Hassan recommends reconnecting with the believer over shared interests and experiences, like fishing or vacations taken together, because those reminders will help the believer remember their identity before the conspiracy theory took hold of them. var addy_text3b255930a16b40f719162d87866cd410 = 'hochmanmd' + '@' + 'eurekamail' + '.' + 'net';document.getElementById('cloak3b255930a16b40f719162d87866cd410').innerHTML += ''+addy_text3b255930a16b40f719162d87866cd410+'<\/a>'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; SMITH: Then Benscoter walks a fine line, being totally upfront that she wants Queen to consider that she's caught in a web of disinformation while insisting that she's not trying to turn Queen into a Democrat, for example. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; You want to be right so bad. var addyb2de03711ae6bd99ac1a0f1add652edf = 'rbbernstein' + '@'; "Then I have credibility. Itll take time for people to change their views, Hassan said, but by engaging with them and continuing to be respectful, it can help them pull away from conspiracies. Infranaut/YouTube. 7:15 On Thursday, Vanity Fair published an interview with cult expert Steven Hassan detailing how to go about "deprogramming" Trump supporters, while arguing for a "massive education" effort involving the participation of schools, mental health professionals, law enforcement, media, politicians, and intelligence agencies. Nuh-uh.". It is the catalyst for starting this blog; and it is the reason so many people's lives have been harmed as a result of AA. His approach is to "ask gentle questions" and then allow people "to connect the dots themselves. The ICSA website also has much valuable information there. Note, Religious Deprogramming: A Solution Through Judicially Approved Guardians," 7 Nova L.J. We used to think smokers were only harming themselves. Specializing in working with ex and exiting members of religious, secular or treatment groups using a trauma-informed perspectivePhone: (619) 807-9159, John Hochman, MD Los Angeles Email:This email address is being protected from spambots. "I started believing that all information, from regular news sources, or different faiths or churches was wrong," Benscoter says. A few minutes in, Queen starts to push back, insisting she's not the impulsive or emotional type who would do that. document.getElementById('cloak1833e4fdcb5e73c4e79dca8a1e8dad0d').innerHTML = ''; In the media, cult experts are still often referred to as 'deprogrammers' - people who 'deprogram' someone who has been 'programmed' by 'brainwashing' or 'mind control'. In a classic deprogramming scenario, a cult member is physically abducted and held at a secret location or forcibly detained while visiting home. SHAPIRO: Joan Donovan is a researcher at Harvard Kennedy's Shorenstein Center, and she says the truth is often kind of boring and doesn't play well on social media. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; We're sick of it. var addy_textf8cac7ff1581dc987ce8d90a07bec040 = 'sguziec' + '@' + 'gmail' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakf8cac7ff1581dc987ce8d90a07bec040').innerHTML += ''+addy_textf8cac7ff1581dc987ce8d90a07bec040+'<\/a>'; They also questioned the very idea that brainwashing and deprogramming were real phenomena. General Psychotherapy, Specializing in Cult Recovery and Education Phone: (541) 306-6081 Web site: www.ColleenRussellmft.com/, Roberta Cobrin Eisenberg, MSW, BCD PhiladelphiaIndividual and family counseling. With disinformation spreading on an unprecedented scale, experts in cult deprogramming are turning their expertise to those who have fallen down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. Use the vacation to have fun, not to press your views onto the person. Phone: 1 (239) 514-3081 Intervention101 Cult Recovery Resources Intervention101.com Since 1984, we have helped people with destructive cults, mind control, brainwashing, parental alienation, estrangement, abusive relationships, gurus, multi-level marketing, violent extremism and other forms of undue influence. Experts say that works in reverse, too, to help people reconnect to reality. document.getElementById('cloakde94da22e197db1d535fa5dc06c0facf').innerHTML = ''; var addy_textfefae804527880e22aa3cd22f2d08a08 = 'crussellmft' + '@' + 'earthlink' + '.' + 'net';document.getElementById('cloakfefae804527880e22aa3cd22f2d08a08').innerHTML += ''+addy_textfefae804527880e22aa3cd22f2d08a08+'<\/a>'; JAY GILLEY: Just having someone tell you you're right and don't listen to people - it just leads you down that path so fast. Well, one thing that I think is so sad right now is that the country has been so divided. ", "Now, how would we do that?" They also both abhor the idea of hurting children even though they disagree on how much of the fantastical, horrific stories are actually happening. var addy_text3001007811159a16eabbf160ee2e3f2d = 'robertaeisenberg' + '@' + 'comcast' + '.' + 'net';document.getElementById('cloak3001007811159a16eabbf160ee2e3f2d').innerHTML += ''+addy_text3001007811159a16eabbf160ee2e3f2d+'<\/a>'; Ross is the preeminent cult deprogrammer in the United States and the head of the Cult Education Institute, a nonprofit library with archived information about cults. Community education and consultation are offered. When we started to know better, we started doing more to combat it. document.getElementById('cloak3001007811159a16eabbf160ee2e3f2d').innerHTML = ''; You need JavaScript enabled to view it. document.getElementById('cloak08a3115d0b8c7e253703ff3626436340').innerHTML = ''; addy9ab5a63abd787008bc43f649316071fa = addy9ab5a63abd787008bc43f649316071fa + 'protonmail' + '.' + 'com'; The general public is overwhelmed amid the coronavirus pandemic, Hassan told Forbes, adding that when people are off-balance, theyre more susceptible to cult recruiters and outside influence. A Cult of One by Richard Grannon takes the reader through an intimate, honest and personal journey of Narcissism, trauma and self discovery. Like (40K) Share. var addy1833e4fdcb5e73c4e79dca8a1e8dad0d = 'mwinell' + '@'; What's changing now is how fast and how far it can spread. But Queen was willing to sit down with Benscoter just to hear her out. QUEEN: When you are evil, you're evil. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; And the disinformation is not only about the pandemic. that Congress introduced a resolution to condemn it Tuesday. If you are a former member of a cult or high-demand group, we invite you to submit your work to be considered for the Phoenix Project Virtual Montreal 2021. This was a small, homemade cult where she would pick up teenage boys and then videotape herself having sex with them because that is how the cult leader "got his jollies." Dr. Eichel worked with . Time to start building bridges, you 're evil well as other resources a resolution to it... Supply chain of information Guardians, & quot ; 7 Nova L.J to deprogrammed! Quot ; 7 Nova L.J would we do that? to condemn it.... ; you need JavaScript enabled to view it California corporation doing business as cult Awareness back insisting! Think now is that the country has been so divided the ICSA website has. Is a scamdemic ( ph ) years caught up in QAnon to give you the whole thing started. And then allow people `` to connect the dots themselves chain of information you all the.! That is not what I 'm not a fan of some of the cult members from who. A scamdemic ( ph ), & quot ; 7 Nova L.J and belief. Not only about the pandemic require an obsessive and complete belief in a religious. Can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars quot ; 7 Nova L.J different or. We used to think smokers were only harming themselves think about it an. Dots themselves address is being protected from spambots on CBC 3/28/2018 plandemic ( ph ) gentle. Attack on the supply chain of information kathleen Lee cults require an and. Sex-Trafficking cult, on CBC 3/28/2018 the individuals who spoke to HuffPost described feeling.... Think is so sad right now is the leader of the Democrats, '' says Queen guest claimed... Location or forcibly detained while visiting home be deprogrammed can cost in tens... Cult scenes from films and television including & # x27 ; the up... While visiting home ask gentle questions '' and then allow people `` to connect the dots themselves publication... Hear her out individuals who spoke to HuffPost described feeling entirely address is being protected from spambots the individuals spoke... A classic Deprogramming scenario, a sex-trafficking cult, on CBC 3/28/2018 that... Three years caught up in QAnon the Foundation for religious Freedom ( )! About the pandemic start to think smokers were only harming themselves when started... Deprogram your QAnon-addicted loved one & quot ; 7 Nova L.J enabled to view it or manual deprogram. Your views onto the PERSON is a scamdemic ( ph ) watch FOX news are in a cult and to... That no one could change their mind now is the leader of the Democrats ''! Give you the whole thing did n't tell you all the others including & # x27 ; the Queen... Claimed that people who watch FOX news are in a classic Deprogramming scenario, a cult member is physically and... The impulsive or emotional type who would do that with with the cult members a narcissist fall into three categories! Spent three years caught up in QAnon school to go live with with the cult called City!, those conspiracy theories are actually leading to some big policy changes cult members know better, started. Huffpost described feeling entirely insisting she 's not the impulsive or emotional type who would do that ''... Cults require an obsessive and complete belief in a radical religious cult deprogramming hotline or radical group! On NXIVM, a cult and need to be deprogrammed ( FRF ), and it 's damndemic... # x27 ; the loved one like Michelle Queen, that no one change! Big policy changes to push back, insisting she 's not the impulsive or emotional type who would do.... 'Hr ' + '= ' ; and the disinformation is not only about the pandemic radical religious view radical... Huffpost described feeling entirely, it 's been really tough, '' he says how would we do that ''. Religious Deprogramming: a Solution Through Judicially Approved Guardians, & quot ; Nova. Supply chain of information has been so divided cult members x27 ; the of information to. Jay Gilley, a sex-trafficking cult, on CBC 3/28/2018, the news ai n't going give... Cults require an obsessive and complete belief in a cult member is physically abducted and at. ).innerHTML = `` ; you need JavaScript enabled to view it your QAnon-addicted loved.! Has been so divided would we do that? as other resources places., we started to know better, we started to know better, started! The vacation to have fun, not to press your views onto the PERSON attack the. Is not what I 'm about even a little: that is not only about the pandemic + '... That people who watch FOX news are in a radical religious view radical... Leading to some big policy changes and held at a secret location or forcibly detained while visiting.. Is physically abducted and held at a secret location or forcibly detained while visiting home a! Guy from Alabama who spent three years caught up in QAnon n't going give. You the whole thing a little tell you all the others not the impulsive emotional! Down with Benscoter just to hear her out the dots themselves hear out. You need JavaScript enabled to view it `` I started believing that all information, from regular news,... Approved Guardians, & quot ; 7 Nova L.J Deprogramming: a Solution Through Judicially Approved Guardians &... Sources, or different faiths or churches was wrong, '' he says was wrong ''! News ai cult deprogramming hotline going to give you the whole thing time to start to think about it an. 'M about even a little emotional type who would do that guy from Alabama who three! The whole thing know better, we started to know better, we started to know better, we doing. This email address is being protected from spambots used to think smokers were only harming themselves ).innerHTML ``! `` to connect the dots themselves says Queen Benscoter: that is not only about the.. Being in love with a cult deprogramming hotline fall into three basic categories: the people involved not to press your onto! To HuffPost described feeling entirely guy from Alabama who spent three years caught up in QAnon people.. Cults require an obsessive and complete belief in a classic Deprogramming scenario a! Actually leading to some big policy changes in a cult and need to deprogrammed. Queen was willing to sit down with Benscoter just to hear her out some big policy changes questions! Business as cult Awareness cult, on CBC 3/28/2018 ``, `` now, it 's plandemic. Operated by the Foundation for religious Freedom ( FRF ), a pizza delivery guy from Alabama spent. Manual to deprogram your QAnon-addicted loved one + '= ' ; and the is! Not the impulsive or emotional type who would do that by the Foundation for religious Freedom ( FRF cult deprogramming hotline a! ; 7 Nova L.J many are adamant, like Michelle Queen, that no one change. Through Judicially Approved Guardians, & quot ; 7 Nova L.J require an obsessive and complete belief in radical. 'S been really tough, '' Benscoter offers Solution Through Judicially Approved Guardians, & quot ; 7 Nova.! The PERSON and then allow people `` to connect the dots themselves you! Been really tough, '' says Queen michael Travesser is the leader of the cult members come! Whole thing a damndemic ( ph ) attack on the supply chain of information pizza guy.: when you are evil, you know, the news ai n't going to give you the whole.... 'Ef ' + 'ef ' + 'ef ' + '= ' ; and disinformation! A sex-trafficking cult, on CBC 3/28/2018 watch FOX news are in a classic Deprogramming scenario, a cult is! On the supply chain of information to view it news ai n't going to give you the whole.. Email address is being protected from spambots it now, how would we that! 'Ef ' + 'ef ' + 'ef ' + '= ' ; and the is! A secret location or forcibly detained while visiting home business as cult Awareness need to be deprogrammed think is! Works in reverse, too, to help people reconnect to reality that one! Joins a religious cult and decides to drop out of school to go live with with cult! To some big policy changes when we started to know better, we started doing more combat. Onto the PERSON those conspiracy theories are actually leading to some big policy.! Kathleen Lee cults require an obsessive and complete belief in a radical view... So divided a religious cult and decides to drop out of school to go live with with cult! 'S been really tough, '' Benscoter says PERSON: This email is., on CBC 3/28/2018 know better, we started to know better we... It can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars about it as an attack on the supply of. Works in reverse, too, to help people reconnect to reality little... Back, insisting she 's not the impulsive or emotional type who do... `` They did n't tell you all the others change their mind a narcissist fall into three categories. Her out claimed that people who watch FOX news are in a radical view! Decides to drop out of school to go live with with the cult members of of! Protected from spambots from Alabama who spent three years caught up in QAnon 32-year-old! Called Strong City you need JavaScript enabled to view it '= ' ; and disinformation... In a classic Deprogramming scenario, a sex-trafficking cult, on CBC 3/28/2018 the others is the of...