I have been picking through this video for a few days and its eye opening in regards to the methods employed by the cults in manipulating the mind. What Hassan specializes in is what is called exit counseling or strategic intervention therapy, an intervention designed to persuade an individual to leave a group perceived to be a cult. Exit counseling is distinguished from deprogramming (by its proponents) by the fact that it is a voluntary procedure.
Like Benscoter, Hassan was hooked into the Moonies within days of the initial contact. Through the talk he refers back to his experiences in and out as he outlines his program highlighting the key elements: the use of thought stopping and how to side step it, overcoming "implanted" (my word) phobias - making people believe something is dangerous when it is not, and empowering the pre-cult self. Hassan's method is a goal oriented approach focused on empowerment and providing tools for the individual to think for themselves.
As with Benscoter, the thought reform theories of Robert Lifton are prevalent. Hassan also stresses the importance of understanding the Asch Conformity Study (Solomon Asch, 1950s), the Milgram Experiment on Obedience to Authority Figures (Stanley Milgram, 60s-70s), and the Stanford Prison Experiment (Philip Zimbardo, 1971). What I find lacking (at least in regards to this specific video), no mention of the use of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and only a brief mention of hypnosis.
As with any "expert" there are criticisms of Hassan and his methodology. My only criticism, concerning this video, is his use of the verbiage "destructive cult." All cults (including mainstream religions IMHO) are destructive; when one has to be recruited and indoctrinated, that is not thinking for self. I also think he is splitting hairs in regards to "exit counseling" versus deprogramming.
With the imminent fall of Scientology at hand, it will be interesting to see whether exit counseling (deprogramming) begins to make the news again as it did in the 80s. The striking difference is this appears a more secular approach.
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