Notes from "Deprogramming Conspiracy Theorists: Advice from Cult Therapists and Organizers"
10/9 3:45ET
moderator: @digitalsista w/
@Janja_Lalich Katia Kramos
@RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination
#NN21
10/9 3:45ET
moderator: @digitalsista w/
@Janja_Lalich Katia Kramos
@RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination
#NN21
@digitalsista @Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination From @RBernsteinLMFT
Need to reintroduce civility to the conversation.
Remember that people can get involved with cult movement for community, due to fear...
Approach them from a place of compassion.
First, goal is to get them to re-engage with you, not deprogram.
Need to reintroduce civility to the conversation.
Remember that people can get involved with cult movement for community, due to fear...
Approach them from a place of compassion.
First, goal is to get them to re-engage with you, not deprogram.
@digitalsista @Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination From @Janja_Lalich
Began work due to personal experience in a political cult ~30 y.a.
Once out of that, found therapy to address after effects, returned to do doctorate work on subject.
"I have never been busier..."
We're seeing cults on a national scale, which is new
Began work due to personal experience in a political cult ~30 y.a.
Once out of that, found therapy to address after effects, returned to do doctorate work on subject.
"I have never been busier..."
We're seeing cults on a national scale, which is new
@digitalsista @Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination "The connections need to be human emotional connections..." @Janja_Lalich on reconnecting with loved ones
"Critical compassion": To show compassion, but be thoughtful how we engage and approach.
"Critical compassion": To show compassion, but be thoughtful how we engage and approach.
@digitalsista @Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination from Katia:
It's interesting being in the work, and having distrust issues at home.
At work, invested deeply in resources to help the Latinx community make informed decisions...
What she took from the hard conversations:
"It's all about respect."
It's interesting being in the work, and having distrust issues at home.
At work, invested deeply in resources to help the Latinx community make informed decisions...
What she took from the hard conversations:
"It's all about respect."
@digitalsista @Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination From @RBernsteinLMFT
On respect and use in building bridges--Many individuals sharing their experience becoming engaged with cults started from the feeling of being "disrespected" by their family, community. It becomes a way to connect...to level the playing field
On respect and use in building bridges--Many individuals sharing their experience becoming engaged with cults started from the feeling of being "disrespected" by their family, community. It becomes a way to connect...to level the playing field
It becomes difficult to have fact to fact conversations when someone comes from an emotional place.
The three Ds:
Determined: Still want to see what is not there.
Disillusioned: Belief diminished, but want reassurance
Despondent: The ones now rudderless--and they feel alone.
The three Ds:
Determined: Still want to see what is not there.
Disillusioned: Belief diminished, but want reassurance
Despondent: The ones now rudderless--and they feel alone.
Remember the importance of forever messages:
"We may not agree, but we are here. We are family."
"We may not agree, but we are here. We are family."
From @Janja_Lalich
Cannot underestimate impact of isolation during C19 lockdown.
People really WERE more alone and separate.
Cannot underestimate impact of isolation during C19 lockdown.
People really WERE more alone and separate.
From Katia:
on experience vaccine canvassing:
Constant repetition of conspiracy and misinformation.
Important point: Do not repeat or give oxygen to misinformation.
on experience vaccine canvassing:
Constant repetition of conspiracy and misinformation.
Important point: Do not repeat or give oxygen to misinformation.
On tactics to address in 1:1 conversations:
Active listening; asking questions to understand
"Where did you hear?"
(and then reporting sources)
Sometimes the information will reveal itself as misinformation during the conversation.
Active listening; asking questions to understand
"Where did you hear?"
(and then reporting sources)
Sometimes the information will reveal itself as misinformation during the conversation.
From Katia on helping individuals disengage:
It really is about bringing civility back to the conversation.
Listening. 1:1 listening is so important.
"It was phone call after phone call."
It really is about bringing civility back to the conversation.
Listening. 1:1 listening is so important.
"It was phone call after phone call."
From @Janja_Lalich
The shift from cults that had a physical presence to those with virtual communities is important distinction.
Now, the groups are amorphous and not central in leadership.
"Not what we've known from the past."
The shift from cults that had a physical presence to those with virtual communities is important distinction.
Now, the groups are amorphous and not central in leadership.
"Not what we've known from the past."
@Janja_Lalich In this new environment--where we might be working with individuals we do not know other than their positions, work to get to know them, their interests.
Engage with them as people.
Engage with them as people.
@Janja_Lalich From @RBernsteinLMFT...
The virtual aspect of today's cults leads to a much quicker path to deification of leaders and important voices of a movement.
Also, when in isolation--people can see these communities and movements as intimate. Accessible through phone, in bedroom.
The virtual aspect of today's cults leads to a much quicker path to deification of leaders and important voices of a movement.
Also, when in isolation--people can see these communities and movements as intimate. Accessible through phone, in bedroom.
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT "They remembered my birthday." @RBernsteinLMFT on why one cult member believes she became involved.
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT On dealing with gaslighting @RBernsteinLMFT ...
It can become a never ending cycle of magical thinking.
Katia in response:
We found that making people comfortable made it possible to have convos.
"...by speaking to people in Spanish" while canvassing in SF Mission District
It can become a never ending cycle of magical thinking.
Katia in response:
We found that making people comfortable made it possible to have convos.
"...by speaking to people in Spanish" while canvassing in SF Mission District
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT from @Janja_Lalich
Most people don't realize that they are being coerced.
Sharing your personal experience of being influenced without realizing it can help people open up.
Most people don't realize that they are being coerced.
Sharing your personal experience of being influenced without realizing it can help people open up.
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT .@digitalsista on how people connect to misinformation...
It's also understanding that coercion happens where conversations are happening. It's the tone. It's the environment of the 1:1s that happen.
True in real life experiences...and it is now happening in the online world.
It's also understanding that coercion happens where conversations are happening. It's the tone. It's the environment of the 1:1s that happen.
True in real life experiences...and it is now happening in the online world.
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista From @Janja_Lalich
Recruiters learn what speaks to individuals who are vulnerable and susceptible.
Recruiters learn what speaks to individuals who are vulnerable and susceptible.
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista About support groups for those who survived cult experiences:
Contact @Janja_Lalich from information on her jupcoming support group
QAnon Casualties on Reddit
Contact @RBernsteinLMFT for her support group work.
Contact @Janja_Lalich from information on her jupcoming support group
QAnon Casualties on Reddit
Contact @RBernsteinLMFT for her support group work.
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista About asking questions and how to engage:
From Katia: Asking questions to see if there are reasons or triggers for lack of trust .
From Katia: Asking questions to see if there are reasons or triggers for lack of trust .
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista On how to help religious family with right wing cult-ish beliefs as part of their dogma?
From @janja_Lalich Keep lines of communications open.
From @RBernsteinLMFT Religious beliefs make it hard.
Ask if they are open to new information. "I don't want you to be left behind."
From @janja_Lalich Keep lines of communications open.
From @RBernsteinLMFT Religious beliefs make it hard.
Ask if they are open to new information. "I don't want you to be left behind."
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista How can we help grassroots folks fight back against misinformation.
From @Janja_Lalich Do your research; know who you are talking to/about.
From @RBernsteinLMFT Consider how you would want to be approached
From @Janja_Lalich Do your research; know who you are talking to/about.
From @RBernsteinLMFT Consider how you would want to be approached
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista From @digitalsista People ask "Why didn't they leave?"...and express shock about left-wing cults:
It doesn't matter about the POV, this can happen to people in any situation
It doesn't matter about the POV, this can happen to people in any situation
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista From Katia:
Engage these conversations and lead with respect.
Enter with intent to have a conversation, not "inform"
Engage these conversations and lead with respect.
Enter with intent to have a conversation, not "inform"
@Janja_Lalich @RBernsteinLMFT @digitalsista From @Janja_Lalich
Thank you @digitalsista for the work you do. Here to support you.
Thank you @digitalsista for the work you do. Here to support you.
From @RBernsteinLMFT
Think about the timing of these conversations. Try. And try again. Meet people where they are.
Think about the timing of these conversations. Try. And try again. Meet people where they are.
Thank you to
@digitalsista
@Janja_Lalich Katia Ramos w/ @LatinoCommFdn
@RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination
And thank you to every one who attended...
Here's to the Day 3, 3:45ers!
#NN21
@digitalsista
@Janja_Lalich Katia Ramos w/ @LatinoCommFdn
@RBernsteinLMFT @_indoctrination
And thank you to every one who attended...
Here's to the Day 3, 3:45ers!
#NN21
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