Steven Hassan, PhD

America's Leading Cult Expert

What I Can Do

I have helped thousands of individuals and families recover from undue influence (mind control).
With over 40 years of experience, I am sought after as one of the foremost authorities on undue influence and controlling groups and individuals.

Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Consultant

I provide consulting services including intervention, recovery and litigation consulting. 

I created the Strategic Interactive Approach which is team-based intervention method for families helping a loved one leave controlling people, cult groups, and beliefs. 

I developed the Freedom of Mind Approach to Recovery & Healing to help people to recover after they leave an undue influence situation. 

I provide Litigation Consulting for lawyers with court cases involving undue influence. 

Speaker, Trainer, Course & Program Developer

I provide education and training services including including webinars, on-line courses, workshops, plenary talks, and professional training. My audiences include higher education, professional, law enforcement, governmental, non-governmental and advocacy group audiences. My foundational online course helps people to understand the problem of undue influence.

Researcher

I conduct research to improve how undue influence is understood and program development to improve access to services that address the problem of undue influence. I created the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control and Influence Continuum Model to help people identify undue influence tactics and assess where an influencer falls on a continuum from not harmful to extremely harmful. These models are used around the world. 

Author, Blogger, Podcaster, Media Guest

I have written 4 different books about undue influence, freedom of mind, and strategies for protection, rescue and recovery from undue influence. I also contribute chapters to academic texts, author academic journal articles, write op-eds for media, and have two blogs and a podcast. I am a translated author with books in 10 languages. I am a frequently requested media guest.

A Few of My Skills

I’m a mental health professional and expert in undue influence tactics used by authoritarian leaders and destructive cults.

  • Counseling
  • Consulting
  • Coaching
  • Teaching
  • Media
  • Expert Witness
  • Public Speaking
  • Writing
  • Family Counseling
  • Communication Skills
  • Help People Heal
  • Help Coach Family & Friends
  • I am trained in clinical hypnosis

Areas of Expertise

My expertise includes harmful influence in cases of

  • Destructive religious and political cults
  • Human trafficking
  • Extremist and terrorist groups
  • One-on-one relationships
  • Families
  • Parental alienation
  • Mini-cults
  • Therapy and self-improvement groups
  • Professional and institutional abuse
  • Corporate and multi-level marketing programs
  • Harmful belief systems

My Books & Courses

I develop unique books, courses, curricula and other educational content to meet the needs of a wide variety of audiences.

Latest Project

My latest project is developing a program to teach mental health professionals how to help survivors of undue influence as well as concerned family and friends.

Lets Work Together

Let’s combat undue influence together. I’m always happy and excited to consider new consultation requests and projects.

Freedom of Mind Blog