Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 1996, page 60
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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.

Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 1996, page 61
2. To ensure competent service, subscribing consultants recognize the need for continued
sharing of information.
3. Subscribing consultants will obtain a minimum amount of continuing education credits
agreed upon by the majority of consultants sub-scribing to these standards.
4. Each subscribing consultant has an obligation to continued professional growth, including
active participation in the meetings of fellow consultants as well as participation in
research and public education programs.
5. Subscribing consultants are encouraged to devote a portion of their time to related work
for which there is little or no financial return.
Section II. Responsibility of Consultants Toward Clients
This section refers to practices and procedures of individual and/or group consulting
relationships.
The term “client” herein is defined as: the person(s) coming to a consultant for guidance or
information in order to help an individual involved in a cultic relationship. If the client
decides to pursue an intervention aimed at helping the involved person reevaluate his or her
commitment to the group practicing thought reform, the involved person becomes the
primary “client” when the intervention begins.
A. General Standards for the Consulting Relationship
1. The subscribing consultant‟s primary obligation is to respect the integrity and promote
the welfare of the client(s), whether the client(s) is (are) assisted individually or in a
group relationship.
2. When working with clients, a subscribing consultant avoids discrimination due to race,
religion, sex, political affiliation, social or economic status, or choice of lifestyle.
3. When a subscribing consultant cannot offer service for any reason, he or she will make
appropriate referrals, when possible.
4. A subscribing consultant will not use his or her consulting relationship for personal needs
or to further religious, political, or business interests.
5. A subscribing consultant will not employ methods or techniques such as neuro-linguistics
programming, hypnosis or Ericksonian hypnosis or other techniques similar to those
employed by cult groups without fully informed consent of the client.
6. Subscribing consultants recognize their boundaries of competence and provide only
those services for which they are qualified by training or experience. Consultants should
only accept those cases for which they are qualified.
7. The consulting relationship must be one in which client self-direction is encouraged and
cultivated. The subscribing consultant must maintain this role consistently and not
become a decision-maker for the client or create within the client a future dependency
on the consultant.
8. The Human Services field is becoming increasingly complex and specialized. Few thought
reform consultants are able to deal with every cult problem, and many potential clients
have difficulty determining the competence of thought reform consultants. Selecting one
is difficult because of the lack of knowledge about pertinent qualifications. In some
cases, stress itself may impair judgment. Subscribing consultants should help potential
clients make informed evaluations of consultants they are considering.