No, I don't think so. I have information that suggests he is not meeting some requirements to get it reinstated. Regardless, my point is that this is not being disclosed, and he is essentially operating without a valid license.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

"Exit" counselor Steven Hassan has been working with a lapsed and expired license since Jan 1, 2016. See the following link from the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health: Division of Professional Licensure: License Search This web site displays disciplinary actions dating back to 1993. Lapsed could mean that Hassan has either not submitted the required paperwork required to r
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Jill, anger is good. It motivates many into action. In terms of Hubbard, he may have been the worst of a group of very dangerous cult leaders, such as Applewhite, Prophet, and others, who have been found medically to have brain lesions or epilepsy (Prophet laid in a near coma for the last 9 years of her life due to gross diminishiment of the brain.) The question is not to separate them by labe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm not sure if any real experts have used these terms. Perhaps you could say which ones? Also, there is research on the psychological history of Hubbard, with proper citations and references, which anyone is welcome to conduct a search for if they wish to be further illuminated. It serves no purpose in dismissing Hubbard by calling names. It diminishes his responsibility for his actions
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You miss the point entirely. Using terms like "off rocker" and the psychological terms Brian used are not only inaccurate, but they diminish the credibility of anyone trying to honestly criticize a cult leader. Hubbard many have done many bad acts, but unless you're somehow superior to him, have the credentials to label him psychologically, and/or have evaluated him, such judgme
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Brian, you are sure using a lot of derogatory psychological terms toward Hubbard without having the credentials to do so, and you have not evaluated him (not qualified to do that either). Perhaps you could stick to what you know, and restrain your self righteous judgments. Cathleen Mann PhD
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think many people fear hypnosis or grant it special powers that it does not have. I do not support hypnosis at all, and I think it should not be used in legitimate counseling or anything else for that matter. There are absolutely no outcome studies that show it works for smoking cessation or weight loss, except as the placebo effect. The evidence we have is that hypnosis is falsely marketed w
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

I have refuted your statement, and continue to do so. "Mainstream" Christianity is very diverse. You can either accept that or reject it. It doesn't matter anyway because beliefs are not how cults are defined. I'm glad you are comfortable in your assumptions, but that does not make them facts. I have always posted using my real name. It's easy to check out. I have n
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

You are mistaken that *all* Christians believe the things you list. Perhaps you should read more widely. I am a member of Rick Ross's advisory board and wrote the forward to his book. Perhaps you can check it out sometime when you feel the need to question my motives, since doing so is ad hominen. I was never debating beliefs. However, you are incorrect if you think that all Christi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm not saying that we cannot rely on ex member accounts completely. Most former cult members are strong, resilient, and often confused as to what has happened to them. All cults are predatory, and use deception to trap people. Often it takes a good length of time to sort how the many ways people have been harmed by cults, that is very true. I agree that deception is a major problem.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Actually it's hard to rely on experiences, because the experiences vary greatly even if two or more people are in the same group. People's memories fade, get contaminated, or are inaccurate. Self report is the least reliable form of data. I'm not sure how Richard Dawkins got into this, but your quoting of him does not really support your point. Dawkins never has said he has e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So...you're basically debating doctrine and "scripture," which is pointless in terms of understanding how cults operate. You are assuming an awful lot. I don't think there's is any evidence as to what "most Christians" believe or don't believe. If you have any survey data or research citations, please post them. But, I am not going to debate beliefs.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Opinions are subjective by their very nature, so they are not a reliable source of information. However, expert opinions, such as those rendered in court, are supposed to be more informed and objective. I also disagree that Wikipedia is a reliable source. The only thing reliable about Wikipedia are the references or footnotes at the end. Wikipedia has written false or misleading statements ma
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, I appreciate your clarification. However, I must say that the New Testament of the Christian or Catholic Bible (in any one of its 40+ translations) does not necessarily represent an actual record of Jesus's teaching, even if such as historical figure ever existed. The creation of the Bible was largely a political process with the Council of Nicea. I think it is important to remem
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, your source is tied into this google result: Ron Hubbard and Rudolf Steiner - Uncle Taz www.uncletaz.com/hubbstein.html With half-truths and quarter-truths, on the other hand, you can make people believe almost anything. This is my point of departure, and I will come back to it ____________________________ Do you consider this a reliable source? I think if you'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, do you have a reference for the material in your post in italics? It's hard to tell if these are your words and ideas, or if they belong to someone else. Cathleen Mann, PhD
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Corboy, I am confused with this post, which seems to be a complete block quote. I am wondering if you could just lead people to the actual source, rather than just quoting without comment. Your link to a conspiracy website as a source is misleading and does not show any critical thinking as to the source or its website. In my view, merely repeating information, which may not be accurate, doe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Checklists tend to overpathologize symptoms. I think they are manipulative. Second, John Knapp has been sanctioned by the NY social work board, and has lost his license. He also is no longer performing as Knapp Family Counseling, nor is he allowed to provide "therapy" to anyone as a licensed mental health professional. Cathleen Mann, PhD
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

Also, the term "therapist" or "marriage and family counselor" have no legal meaning. Anyone can call themselves a therapist. That is one reason I despise the word, and never use it, because it is designed to fool people into thinking someone is more qualified than they are. Coaching is a "discipline" in which there is poor regulation. These individuals often tr
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm not sure what you mean by "certificate," but it does not sound like a license to me. Only licensed professionals are allowed to call themselves licensed anything. Anything other than a true, state-issued, license is fraud. My experience with life coaches is that they sometimes inflate their credentials, or they claim to be "retired" from counseling or some other ment
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The title "psychologist" is legally regulated in all 50 states. Having a degree in clinical psychology, even if true, is not a guarantee of licensure. When someone claims ignorance of the law, usurps the title, it causes trouble for them and for those with legitimate credentials to overcome obstacles. Everyone with any credentials of any kind has an ethical duty to correct any missta
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"