Releasing the Bonds

Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves is Steven Hassan's second work (see Combatting Cult Mind Control). It discusses Hassan's theories on mind control and cults. The book was published by the Aitan Publishing Company, in 2000.

Philip Zimbardo, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University and former president of the American Psychological Association writes:

The book has been cited in Nursing Spectrum, Families in Society, Journal of Contemporary Religion and the APA Monitor on Psychology.

Reviews

Robert Watts Thornburg, Dean of Marsh Chapel, Boston University, writes:

"Hassan's new book lays out with clarity, precision, vast personal illustrations, and no hysteria, the best analysis of the mind control used by every destructive religious group. He follows with a clear prescription for families and professionals showing how they can get help and deal with these human tragedies. An absolutely necessary tool for student personnel workers, clergy, and others who have faced destructive cults."

Rabbi Moshe Waldoks, Ph.d., author of The Big Book of Jewish Humour, writes:

"The essence of Steve Hassan's work is the liberation of the human potential in all of us. Can anyone of us be really free when others are enslaved? Steve's emphatic "no" to this agonizing question makes Releasing the Bonds a vibrant tool for so many of us in the helping professions. As a rabbi and teacher, I am always inspired by Steve Hassan's integrity and determination. Let it continue for many years."

Robert B. Cialdini Ph.D., of Arizona State University, author of Influence, writes:

"With Releasing the Bonds, Steve Hassan has provided a reasoned, principled, and highly readable approach to attacking aserious social problem. We need this book!"

Anton Hein, publisher of the Apologetics Index, writes:

In what may well turn out to be the definitive handbook on cult intervention, Hassan presents his Strategic Interaction Approach (SIA) - a non-coercive, highly effective counseling system refined over the twelve years since he wrote the best-seller, Combatting Cult Mind Control. This tried-and-true approach has none of the drawbacks of involuntary deprogramming or voluntary exit-counseling.

Additional positive reviews have been written by:

• Arthur A. Dole, Ph.D, ABPP, editorial Advisory Board for the Cultic Studies Review, American Family Foundation
• Ginger Ross Breggin, Executive Director of the International Center for the Study of Psychiatry and Psychology
• Peter R. Breggin, M.D., author of Your [...] May Be Your Problem: How and Why to Stop Taking Psychiatric Drugs
• Jon Atack, author of [[A Piece of Blue Sky|A Piece of Blue Sky: Scientology, Dianetics and L. Ron Hubbard Exposed]]
• Randall Watters, author of Thus Saith the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Marcia R. Rudin, Founding Director, International Cult Education Program of the American Family Foundation
• Stephen Lankton, MSW, DAHB, author of Practical Magic, The Answer Within, Tales of Enchantment, Enchantment and Intervention in Family Therapy

Media Attention

Hassan's book was mentioned in a 2000 international broadcast on CNN. He spoke AbOUT his book in 2006, as the subject of a radio program entitled "Free Yourself from Mind Control". The book has also been mentioned in The Boston Globe, Jewish Advocate, Forward, and Salon.

See also

• Combatting Cult Mind Control
• Cults
• List of cult and new religious movement researchers

External links

• Freedom of Mind website, Steven Hassan
• Mental Health Counselor Steven A. Hassan Celebrates 30 Years of Cult Counseling, Cult expert Steve Hassan celebrates 30 years of cult counseling and Providing cult information