Hearts & Minds - Information for ChangeSM Pseudo-Religious Cults How to Avoid and Escape Their Mind Control

Religion can take us the the heights of the sublime - if we are very careful who we follow

American Family Foundation (AFF)
P.O Box 2265
Bonita Springs, FL 34133
Phone: 1-239-514-3081
Fax: 1-305-393-8193
E-mail: mail@icsamail.com
Website: www.icsahome.com/default.htm     
       "To study psychological manipulation and cultic groups, to educate the public and professionals, and to assist those adversely affected by a cult-related experience."
       "Supports people directly and indirectly affected by cults. Offers information on individual groups, education and recovery strategies, counseling and support-group referrals. Also a source for research, periodicals, and professional referrals."
       Offers publications, workshops, programs and services. Also you can get resources about cults and other topics related to it. The site is easy to navigate. -OID
       I agree, this site is easy to follow. It has people you can talk to and information for educators, families, legal professional, mental health professionals, students, researchers, and more. You can also buy books, videos, packets, reports, etc. for more information. -OCC
        Not only does this website have information and publications available online, you can also purchase books and more informational items-TOD

Cult Awareness & Information Centre (CAIC)
C/O Ex-Cultworld Magazine, Inc.
P.O. Box 2444
Mansfield 4122
Australia
Phone: 61-(0)7-3216-8790
E-mail: jang@caic.org.au  
Website:http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1        "We hope this site will help you to learn how to establish criteria for defining a cult, how to recognize cultic and spiritually abusive behaviors, and how to guard against unwanted psychological persuasion -the techniques used by cults and spiritually abusive groups to recruit and retain their members."
          This website does not have the best layout, but it has some useful resources for former cult members or those looking for information on the topic. One important aspect of the site is that it puts you in contact with former cult members worldwide. -MKK
          This website is filled with information about all different cults. It also includes ex-cult member testimonies that are reader friendly-TOD
       As of today, this website is limited to offering contact information. - RHL (08-01-04)
       The website still is limited on contact information -TOD (07-01-07)

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Students may not always be aware of cults, and many are deceptively lured in. Knowledgeable friends can warn us what to watch out for.

CultsOnCampus
P.O. Box 11011
Carson, California 90749
Phone: 1-310-283-2888
E-mail: cultsoncampus@cultsoncampus.com
Website: www.cultsoncampus.com
     "News on the topic of cults on and off campus"
      Provides news about cults and information about cult tactics, which often involve recruiting on college campus. While this site provides mainly news and information, there is a site where you can find events planned.  In addition, this site brings to light many tactics that cults use and ones that college students can learn to avoid. -JEC
      I agree. This site is very simple to use. It contains information about current and old news on cults. This includes myths about them and how not to be susceptible to them. The site also sells t-shirts to support action against these groups on college campuses. -OCC
        This site is good because it keeps you up to date on survivors of cults, certain documentaries, and links to articles from other websites supporting the updated information. Cults on campus gives the reader plenty to think about whether on a campus or not.-TOD

Ex-Cult Archive
Website: www.ex-cult.org
          "Particular "cult" groups are named here solely because criticism of their practices has been brought to the attention of the site sponsor, and inclusion does not indicate endorsement of that criticism. Readers are invited to examine the available evidence and form their own opinions about these organizations. "
      This site posts articles, documents, and critiques from different sources in order to inform its audience of the different kinds of cults and mind controlling techniques in existence today. -MKK
       This site is not professional, although it does contain a lot of information. It contains information about specific cult groups, resources, and articles written about cults that have been posted on the site. There is also a list of suggested reading on the page, if you would like to learn more about cults. -OCC
      This site is good but it links back to the two sites above which are packed with more information.-TOD

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An important way to control your life is your own best judgment. No human leader can claim to have the total truth.

FactNet
Cult Information Service
P.O. Box 867
Teaneck, New Jersey 07666
Phone: 1-201-833-1212
E-mail: manage@factnet.org
Website: www.factnet.org/
       "For information or personal assistance requests, contact a personal contact expert, one of the expert organizations or one of the support groups."
       "Breaking News and Information on Cults and Mind Control since 1993. Works to protect the most basic freedom - an essential prerequisite to all of our other freedoms - freedom of mind. Focuses on protecting this freedom from harm caused by all forms of mind control and unethical influence."
       "In 2002 it has expanded its mission to also cover mind control and unethical influence as found in governments, corporations, social organizations, advertising/marketing, political organizations, the military and family groups."
       "FactNet is to human rights abuse in the areas of psychological coercion, unethical influence and mind control what Amnesty International is to human rights abuse in the areas of physical coercion and torture."
       Plenty of helpful information about cults. Covers many expert organizations and individuals. Also, you can participate in the discussion of different topics. -OID
       Posts many different articles pertaining to cults, recovery, and specific accounts by former cult members. -MKK
       This website provides news, workshops, and other details for anyone wondering what a cult is all about, and gives specific information on groups, signs of identifying a cult and methods of mind control and brainwashing. -JEC
       This website is very interesting and contains a lot of very informative and helpful information. It gives current news about cults and mind control, or you can look at its archives for information from the past. The site also gives information about cult recovery, books on the topic, and stories to read to learn from through others' experiences. -OCC
        This website is also provides an opportunity to purchase literature. It's a great website because it also provides  full length documentaries that can be viewed. -TOD

Free Minds
Free Minds, Inc.
PO Box 3818
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Phone: 1-310-545-7831
Website: www.freeminds.org
     "We are warning the public of cults and their deceptive recruiting techniques, and efforts to create fear and isolation in new recruits."
     Specifically critical of the Jehovah's Witnesses, but also has information on what to look out for with recruiting techniques used by other groups for some people that will consider cults. Info available in several languages.
     This site is dedicated to information and help about cults. It contains many stories and events people have gone through pertaining to cults. This site has information about current news, ways to avoid recruitment by cults, and a store to purchase its materials. The site has information about legal issues, women's issues, and more. It is very helpful and can be used in a number of ways. -OCC
      This site is available in other languages like Spanish, French, and Portuguese. It also provides an opportunity to network with those also previously affected by cults. It targets Jehovah's Witnesses mainly.
-TOD

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Regain you life today, the power is in your hands

Carol Giambalvo's Cult Information and Recovery
P.O. Box 2180
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
Phone: 1-386-439-7541
Fax: 1-386-439-7537
E-mail: carol2180@aol.com
Website: hometown.aol.com/carol2180/index.htm
       "I hope the following will give you a better understanding of thought reform and my approach to helping individuals make a fully informed choice in a way that is consistent with the ethical standards that myself and my colleagues have worked so diligently to develop."
       "In addition to my commitment to these ethical standards, I also have a deep commitment to the recovery of individuals who have been part of a thought reform program, a group that was psychologically or spiritually abusive or an abusive relationship. To those of you who fit into that category, I want you to know that you're not alone. The key to our recovery is education -- educate yourself about thought reform, about cults, about how such influence can and does effect individuals."
        A complete site that offers interesting information to help people concerned about a family member or friend's participation with a questionable group, and also people interested in helping and supporting others. Offers a good bibliography related to the topic. The site could be more attractive. -OID
       This site is easy to follow. Containing information about cults, their characteristics, thought reform, recovery, and more. The site gives an entire list of suggested reading if you would like to learn more. It also tells about current studies on cult mind control and their progress. -OCC
        This site is reader friendly. It gives the reader brief history on cults and also intervention suggestions. -TOD

Bill & Lorna Goldberg
171 Meadowbrook Road
Englewood, New Jersey 07631
Phone: 1-201-894-8515
Fax: 1-201-871-4674
E-Mail: BLGoldberg@aol.com
Website: www.blgoldberg.com
       "Helping former members move on after the cult... Working with people involved in cults and destructive groups, we recognize the harm that these groups do to the individuals involved, as well as to their families."
       Small website that offers some articles, links and the possibility for former cultists to participate in their free group meetings. -OID
       The site explains in some detail how the support group functions and its purpose. It also has information specifically targeting family members of cultists. -MKK
       This site also gives out articles and frequently asked questions about cult issues, and issues for family members. The site gives information about upcoming events, conferences about stopping cults, and helping people involved in any way. -OCC
        This page is helpful because it is run by social workers who specialize in cult recovery. The website provides the resume of both social workers to make the family more at ease with who they are working with

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Recovering from participating in cults is like shedding a light in the darkness

Recovering Former Cultists' Support Network (reFOCUS)
P.O. Box 2180
Flagler Beach, FL 32136-2180
Phone: 1-904-439-7541
E-mail: torefocus@aol.com
Website: www.refocus.org
       "A network of referral and support for former members of closed, high demand groups, relationships or cults. Those resources include former cult members, support groups and rehab facilities, mental health professionals, clergy, and other supportive organizations."
       Offers helpful information and can connect you with many other resources such as support groups, books, and articles. Easy to navigate.-OID
       This site is easy to navigate. It explains the usual tactics of a cult, how leaders act, and more. The site also posts articles, essays, personal stories, and a newsletter. It gives a list of support groups or support organizations, in order to find one near you, as well as their guidelines. -OCC
           This page offers in depth analysis of cult characteristics and behaviors that result from cults-TOD

Steve Hassan /Freedom Of Mind
Cult Expert, Exit Counselor, Media Consultant, Author, Former Member
PO Box 45233
Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: 1-617-628-9918
Fax: 1-617-628-8153
E-mail: center@freedomofmind.com
Web site: www.Freedomofmind.com
      "Steve Hassan is the author of Combating Cult Mind Control, the number one best selling to recovery from destructive cults. Hassan holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Cambridge College and has been involved in educating the public about destructive cults in America for over 25 years. A former cult member and licensed mental health counselor."
     Steve Hassan is widely known as an authority on the subject of destructive cults and mind control. The site provides much information about destructive cults, news, articles, group index, links and much more. It also has information on contacting Steven Hassan and receiving direct help from him, through telephone or  through intensive personal counseling. Meetings start at $100 for a thirty minute consultation via telephone and may be too costly for many. Cheaper alternatives in other sites. -JEC
      This website provides up to date information about cults globally. It also contains shocking facts about cult financial affiliations-TOD

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Wellspring (Retreat and Resource Center)
P.O. Box 67
Albany, Ohio 45710
Phone: 1-740- 698-6277
Fax: 1-740- 698-2053
Email: freemind@wellspringrestreat.org
Website: www.wellspringretreat.org
       "Our purpose is to provide a program of counseling and instruction to individuals who have suffered psychological and spiritual distress resulting from trauma due to destructive cults or cult-like organizations/relationships."
       "The goal of Wellspring’s program is, very simply, to assist these former victims in returning to normal life again, free of the harmful effects of their abusive experience."
       Attractive website with helpful and interesting information. Easy to navigate. I strongly recommend this website.-OID
       I agree, this site is very easy to navigate. It holds information about professional consultants, family support services, education, and residential services. It also posts articles and personal inspiring stories. -OCC
      I also agree that this site is easy to read. The Wellspring retreat seems to be a comforting place to work on personal issues post cult.-TOD

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Latest update by Tara O'Donnell (TOD) Olivia Chitayat (OCC) and OID
This web page and entire website © Copyright: 1997 - 2008 by Hearts and Minds Network, Inc. All photos on this web page © by Microsoft Clip Art except last photo © 2008 by Bill Blackman, http://www.heartsandminds.org/self/links/cults.htm - online September 18, 2002,  latest photo and text changes  March 19, 2008.

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