Events Calendar

A National Conference on Coercive Persuasion and Mind Control

The objective of this National Conference on Coercive Persuasion and Mind Control is to inform and educate mental health and interested public about a social issue that to date has had intermittent exposure in the press and seldom been examined in depth. It aims to inform about the dynamics and repercussions of unethical psychological manipulation by toxic groups, commonly referred to as cults. The presenters will offer valuable information for any qualified professional in the health/caring professions as well as presenting useful information and referral support for those personally affected by such groups.
The core objective of the program is to clearly outline the psycho-social dynamics of toxic groups and resultant therapeutic issues. The goal is to provide a treating mental health professional with key concepts surrounding the phenomena and to further develop a thorough skill base for assessment and intervention for ex-members and their families. It also offers directed workshops to help ex-members recover their equilibrium and sense of who they now are.
By the use of a lecture/workshop format, at the end of the two-day program the participants will be able to: articulate the psycho/social/spiritual dynamics of controlling groups. Have a clear map for therapeutic assessment and intervention. Be able to effectively utilise pre-existing skills in the treatment of ex-members. Have a clearer picture of the presenting phenomenon in Australia and the extent to which it can dramatically adversely affect peoples lives and those of their families.

Topics covered in Lectures and Workshops:
*Psychological Manipulation, Mind Control, and other dynamics of Cults and High Demand groups.
*Educating the public, therapists and parents
*Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Modalities
* Working with PTSD and Trauma related Symptomatology
* Working with Cult-involved Families
*Anxiety and Decision making, Boundaries, Spiritual Concerns and Dependency Issues after the Cult.
* How grief becomes disenfranchised when losing a child to a Cult.

The opening sessions on each day are the same for everyone, however after that the conference is being divided into two distinct groups. The ex-members workshops are just that and only ex-members will be allowed to participate These will mostly be taken by Roseanne Henry). Health professionals, educationalists, other professionals and family members with family trapped in a cult will attend the lectures given by Dr. Whitsett. Everyone will reconvene for the panel discussion for the final session on Day 2.

Day 1
8.00 am. Registration
8.30 – 10.30 Opening Address 'The Spirit of Things' (Rachael Kohn – radio personality)
Overview of cult problem in Australia (Michael Bachelard – journalist)
'Persuasive Mind Control' and 'Vulnerability theory' (Dr. Whitsett)
10.30 – 11.00 Morning Tea
11.00 – 12.15 Overview of "Coercive Persuasion and Mind Control (Dr. Whitsett)
Overview of experiences of ex-members (Roseanne Henry)
12.15 – 1.15 Lunch (provided)
1.15 - 3.00 Overview of Treatment/Assessment (Dr. Whitsett)
OR Workshop for ex-members PTSD – Triggers (Roseanne Henry)
3.00 – 3.30 Afternoon Tea
3.30 – 5.00 Case Presentation (Roseanne Henry)
OR Workshop for ex-members 'After the Cult Who Am I?' (Dr. Whitsett)
Day 2
8:30-10:30am Addressing legal and ethical issues. Senator Nick Xenophon will give an update on current issues.
10.30 – 11.00 Morning Tea
11.00 -12.15 Trauma /PTSD and Neurobiology – mental health professionals (Dr. Whitsett)
Anger and grief - ex-members (Roseanne Henry)
12.15 – 1.15 Lunch (provided)
1.15 – 3.00 Boundaries, Recognition and Repair – ex-members (Roseanne Henry)
Working with cult-involved families – mental health professionals (Dr. Whitsett)
3.30 – 5.00pm Questions and Answers – Panel Discussion (hosted by Peter Janetski)

The two main presenters at this Conference are both very experienced in their field and have been practicing in both the public and private domains for many years.
Dr. Whitsett is currently a Clinical Associate Professor and part-time lecturer at the University of Southern California School of Social Work. As well as being a highly sought after family and couples therapist in private practice, she has lectured extensively within the USA and overseas, in the area of 'Cults and high demand groups', as well as in the related areas of Trauma, Neurobiology and PTSD; Death, Grief and Bereavement, and Resiliency and and post-traumatic growth in post-cult recovery, to mention but a few. She has contributed to a wide range of publications related to understanding cultic groups and resultant trauma. (her CV is available if required).
Roseanne Henry is a psychotherapist practicing in Littleton Colorado. She has been involved in addressing cult issues for the last twenty years. She worked closely with the original Cult Awareness Network and currently sits on the board of the International Cultic Studies Association (ISCA) and heads the Mental Health Committee. She has developed and facilitated ICSA's Recovery workshops for first and second generation cult survivors for fifteen years. Her private practice specializes in the treatment of cult survivors and their families. Roseanne is a former member of 'Kashi Ranch'; her story is published in "Take Back Your Life'.