yasmin:
Dr. Mann is a trained and licensed psychologist. She has helped former cult members and affected families for may years.
Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman include some research in their book "Snapping". A second edition came out in 1995 and chapter 13 contains research about people recovering from cults.
Please understand that being qualified as an expert in court is objective proof that you are in fact an expert in your field. The court has a specific process to determine this objectively before a judge with opposing lawyers. Dr. Mann has never failed to be qualified and has been qualified and accepted as an expert by courts in 12 states.
Steve Hassan has no such standing as an expert.
Hassan's theories likewise have not been objectivley tested and/or supported by research.
Steve Hassan began his professional life concerning cults as a cult deprogrammer. He was paid to do involuntary deprogrammings. He later returned to school and became a licensed counselor.
In his first book Mr. Hassan advocated involuntary deprogramming as an option to be considered by families.
Now no one that does professional intervention work concerning cults advocates involuntary deprogramming for adults.
The involuntary deprogramming of a minor child would be at the discretion of that child's legal guardian. Involuntary interventions regarding minor children are legally allowable when done under the direct supervision of a custodial parent or designated legal guardian.
Most interventions have historically been based upon an educational model of simply sharing information, i.e. about cults, coerciive persuasion and influence techniques, etc. This has been the history of cult intervention work, rather than blending in a counseling or family therapy model as proposed by Steve Hassan.
In my opinion there are significant boundary issues regarding the mixing of cult intervention work with counseling and/or family therapy.
I see cult intervention work as purely educational and not as personal or family counseling.
After a successful intervention a former cult member may seek professional counseling and follow-up by contacting a licensed mental health professional familiar with cults.
See [
www.culteducation.com]
This is a directory of such helping professionals.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2012 12:21AM by rrmoderator.