Freedom of Mind

Moral Injury

Reclaiming Identity After Cults And Healing Moral Injury

Steven A Hassan PhD on March 28, 2025

Leaving a cult can leave deeper wounds for longer than expected. Moral injury combined with identity confusion can leave survivors left behind as a clinical population.

Leaving a cult can leave deeper wounds for longer than expected. Moral injury combined with identity confusion can leave survivors left behind as a clinical population.

Autism

Cults, Sex, and Neurodivergent Individuals

Steven A Hassan PhD on February 25, 2025

The unique traits of autistic individuals can ease the path into harmful cults and, in turn, put individuals at risk of sexual exploitation.

The unique traits of autistic individuals can ease the path into harmful cults and, in turn, put individuals at risk of sexual exploitation.

Persuasion

9 Things You Need to Know About Destructive Cults

Steven A Hassan PhD on January 22, 2025

Are cult members truly brainwashed? Common myths about cults can be dangerous to those you care about.

Are cult members truly brainwashed? Common myths about cults can be dangerous to those you care about.

Persuasion

How People Get Brainwashed Without Realizing It

Steven A Hassan PhD on December 22, 2024

How to ask the right questions and rediscover core values.

How to ask the right questions and rediscover core values.

Ethics and Morality

Rethinking Humanity's Devotion to Technology

Steven A Hassan PhD on November 24, 2024

What happens when technology mirrors religion? Understanding this shift can help realign our priorities and maintain ethics at a time when all progress is deemed a virtue.

What happens when technology mirrors religion? Understanding this shift can help realign our priorities and maintain ethics at a time when all progress is deemed a virtue.

Politics

Keeping Your Cool This Election Season

Steven A Hassan PhD on October 21, 2024

Feeling the pressure of election season? Take a deep breath. Discover how to reduce stress, manage media overload, and engage meaningfully with others to protect your peace of mind.

Feeling the pressure of election season? Take a deep breath. Discover how to reduce stress, manage media overload, and engage meaningfully with others to protect your peace of mind.

False Memories

How False Memories Can Ensnare Us in a Cycle of Abuse

Steven A Hassan PhD on September 27, 2024

False memory manipulation is a tactic used to control abuse victims and foster dependence. Recognizing how memory functions is key to combatting influence and maintaining autonomy.

False memory manipulation is a tactic used to control abuse victims and foster dependence. Recognizing how memory functions is key to combatting influence and maintaining autonomy.

Persuasion

The Growing Aging Population Needs Protection from Elder Abuse

Steven A Hassan PhD on August 27, 2024

Elder abuse is a growing problem that involves tactics of undue influence, much as cults do. Legal protections are relatively new, and Kamala Harris was an early adopter.

Elder abuse is a growing problem that involves tactics of undue influence, much as cults do. Legal protections are relatively new, and Kamala Harris was an early adopter.

The impact of the cult "The Family" on Assange's early years and actions.

Estrangement is increasingly common. Is it warranted as a way to avoid abuse—or is it a form of abuse in which a a bad actor advises cutting someone off from their support systems?

Persuasion

Beyond Neuroplasticity

Steven A Hassan PhD on June 11, 2024

The traditional term "neuroplasticity" doesn't do justice to the amazing resilience of the human brain; perhaps it's time to adopt a more accurate term.

The traditional term "neuroplasticity" doesn't do justice to the amazing resilience of the human brain; perhaps it's time to adopt a more accurate term.

Conformity

A Few Words for Graduates

Steven A Hassan PhD on May 21, 2024

As today's graduates step into a world of unprecedented advancements, recruiters from destructive groups are waiting to lure the best and the brightest of them.

As today's graduates step into a world of unprecedented advancements, recruiters from destructive groups are waiting to lure the best and the brightest of them.

Persuasion

The Captive Mind, from Soviet-Era Moscow to Modern MAGA

Steven A Hassan PhD on April 15, 2024

Polish Nobel Laureate Czesław Miłosz wrote "The Captive Mind" in 1953 as an exploration of the psyche under Soviet oppression. What can it teach us about movements like MAGA today?

Polish Nobel Laureate Czesław Miłosz wrote "The Captive Mind" in 1953 as an exploration of the psyche under Soviet oppression. What can it teach us about movements like MAGA today?

Authenticity

The Barbie Movie—A Powerful Journey to Autonomy

Steven A Hassan PhD on March 11, 2024

For generations, Barbie has taught little girls that they can be anything. Barbie's big-screen story can teach everyone about authenticity and independence.

For generations, Barbie has taught little girls that they can be anything. Barbie's big-screen story can teach everyone about authenticity and independence.

Therapy

“I Was Tired of Paying My Therapist to Learn About Cults”

Steven A Hassan PhD on February 20, 2024

With the advent of online conspiracies, political cults, and abusive megachurches (to name a few), more people are exiting cults than ever before. Do you know how to help?

With the advent of online conspiracies, political cults, and abusive megachurches (to name a few), more people are exiting cults than ever before. Do you know how to help?

Relationships

A Way to Explain Controlling Relationships

Steven A Hassan PhD on January 23, 2024

Some people use the terms "gaslighting" and "coercive control" to describe domestic abuse, but the BITE Model - originally designed to describe cult violence - is much more robust.

Some people use the terms "gaslighting" and "coercive control" to describe domestic abuse, but the BITE Model - originally designed to describe cult violence - is much more robust.

Persuasion

Can Psychologists Help Curb Political Radicalization?

Steven A Hassan PhD on December 12, 2023

A disturbing number of Americans are willing to resort to violence to "save" the country. What can mental health care professionals do to stem the tide of radicalization?

A disturbing number of Americans are willing to resort to violence to "save" the country. What can mental health care professionals do to stem the tide of radicalization?

Conspiracy Theories

How to Help a Loved One with Problematic Beliefs

Steven A Hassan PhD on November 21, 2023

When those we love become entrapped in cults or conspiracy theories, it becomes frustrating to get through. Here are some helpful hints for connecting.

When those we love become entrapped in cults or conspiracy theories, it becomes frustrating to get through. Here are some helpful hints for connecting.

Consumer Behavior

Navigating the Crypto Labyrinth: Opportunities and Traps

Steven A Hassan PhD on October 17, 2023

Cryptocurrency is a permanent part of the 21st century's financial landscape. But how to navigate it safely?

Cryptocurrency is a permanent part of the 21st century's financial landscape. But how to navigate it safely?

The public mental health crisis is escalating at an alarming rate. What can be done to address the problem and bring more voices to the discussion?