Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 1996, page 60
Comments are welcome.
**************
Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants
Thought reform includes the use of highly manipulative methods and processes such as
undue social and psychological influence, behavioral modification techniques, disguised
hypnosis and trance induction, and other physiological and psychological influence
techniques. These techniques are used in a coordinated and systematic way without the
informed consent of an individual. Thought reform is commonly associated with cults, but it
can occur in other contexts. For our purposes here, cult refers to groups that tend to be
deceptive, psychologically and/or physically abusive, and exploitatively manipulative.
Many different approaches have been applied to the problem of freeing people from the hold
of thought reform programs. Early in the history of the problem, some concerned families
resorted to methods which we in the 1990s, consider unethical. Deprogramming was the
process of countering the cults‟ programming the process often meant taking adult children
off the street or detaining them until they listened to a detailed critique of the cultic group.
Later, as the techniques and process evolved, the term exit counseling was adopted,
indicating a voluntary respectful approach. However, there was no universal consensus
among those in the field about ethical criteria. This created some problems. First, anyone
could declare him- or herself as an exit counselor. Second, the terms exit counseling and
deprogramming were often confused and used interchangeably. The labels did not indicate
what the individuals were doing or their competency, ethics, or approach.
The ethical standards presented here have been developed by a group of consultants who
prefer the term thought reform consultant to describe their profession.
Preamble
Consultation refers to a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and help-
needing individual, family, group, or social unit in which the consultant is providing
information that enables client(s) to more clearly define and solve the problem(s) for which
they sought consultation.
Thought reform consultation is the presentation of information concerning the principles and
practical applications of thought reform. This presentation is done in a manner that is legal
and conforms to the following ethical standards.
The consultation involves a respectful dialogue in an open environment, supplemented by
educational materials, such as pertinent literature, generic source materials, informational
multi-media presentations, and personal testimonies.
As thought reform consultants, we voluntarily agree to subscribe to these ethical standards.
The existence of ethical standards also stimulates consultants to show greater concern for
their own professional functioning and for the conduct of fellow professionals, such as
educators, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clergy, and others in the
helping professions. As an ethical code, this document establishes principles that define the
ethical behavior of those who have subscribed to it.
Section I. Responsibility of Consultants Toward Professionalism
1. Each individual subscribing consultant influences the development of the profession
through continuous efforts to improve professional practices, teaching, services, and
research. Professional growth continues throughout the consultant‟s career and is
exemplified by the development of a set of criteria that defines why and how a
consultant functions in the helping relationship.
Comments are welcome.
**************
Ethical Standards for Thought Reform Consultants
Thought reform includes the use of highly manipulative methods and processes such as
undue social and psychological influence, behavioral modification techniques, disguised
hypnosis and trance induction, and other physiological and psychological influence
techniques. These techniques are used in a coordinated and systematic way without the
informed consent of an individual. Thought reform is commonly associated with cults, but it
can occur in other contexts. For our purposes here, cult refers to groups that tend to be
deceptive, psychologically and/or physically abusive, and exploitatively manipulative.
Many different approaches have been applied to the problem of freeing people from the hold
of thought reform programs. Early in the history of the problem, some concerned families
resorted to methods which we in the 1990s, consider unethical. Deprogramming was the
process of countering the cults‟ programming the process often meant taking adult children
off the street or detaining them until they listened to a detailed critique of the cultic group.
Later, as the techniques and process evolved, the term exit counseling was adopted,
indicating a voluntary respectful approach. However, there was no universal consensus
among those in the field about ethical criteria. This created some problems. First, anyone
could declare him- or herself as an exit counselor. Second, the terms exit counseling and
deprogramming were often confused and used interchangeably. The labels did not indicate
what the individuals were doing or their competency, ethics, or approach.
The ethical standards presented here have been developed by a group of consultants who
prefer the term thought reform consultant to describe their profession.
Preamble
Consultation refers to a voluntary relationship between a professional helper and help-
needing individual, family, group, or social unit in which the consultant is providing
information that enables client(s) to more clearly define and solve the problem(s) for which
they sought consultation.
Thought reform consultation is the presentation of information concerning the principles and
practical applications of thought reform. This presentation is done in a manner that is legal
and conforms to the following ethical standards.
The consultation involves a respectful dialogue in an open environment, supplemented by
educational materials, such as pertinent literature, generic source materials, informational
multi-media presentations, and personal testimonies.
As thought reform consultants, we voluntarily agree to subscribe to these ethical standards.
The existence of ethical standards also stimulates consultants to show greater concern for
their own professional functioning and for the conduct of fellow professionals, such as
educators, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, clergy, and others in the
helping professions. As an ethical code, this document establishes principles that define the
ethical behavior of those who have subscribed to it.
Section I. Responsibility of Consultants Toward Professionalism
1. Each individual subscribing consultant influences the development of the profession
through continuous efforts to improve professional practices, teaching, services, and
research. Professional growth continues throughout the consultant‟s career and is
exemplified by the development of a set of criteria that defines why and how a
consultant functions in the helping relationship.
