Course curriculum

    1. How to use this course

    2. Attestation Items

    3. Overarching Course Learning Objectives

    4. Meet Your Presenter: Dr. Janja Lalich

    5. Meet Your Presenter: Dr. Natalie Fabert

    1. Why Cult Education Matters

      FREE PREVIEW
    2. Testimony and Tips from a Survivor: Keely

    3. Lecture One: What is a Cult?

    4. Dr. Lalich on Common Types of Cults and other types of Cultic Social Phenomena

    5. Introductory TedED Video by Dr. Lalich

    6. Dr. Lalich on Lifton's Signs of A Totalist Group

    7. Dr. Lalich on Common Characteristics of a Cult

    8. Testimony and Tips from a Survivor: Andrew

    9. Module 1 Quiz

    1. Dr. Lalich on "Why would Anyone Join a Cult?"

    2. Lecture Two: Pathways to Involvement

    3. Dr. Lalich on Population-Level Vulnerabilties

    4. Dr. Lalich on Charisma & Cult Leader Characteristics

    5. Module 2 Quiz

    1. Lecture Three: Understanding Choice within the Context of the Cult

    2. Testimony and Tips from a Survivor: Aldo

    3. Module 3 Quiz

    1. Lecture Four: Assessment Areas

    2. Dr. Lalich on Cults & Human Trafficking

    3. Dr. Marich on Dissociation

    4. Dr. Marich on Spiritual Harm

    5. Module 4 Quiz

    1. Lecture Five: Building the Therapeutic Alliance

    2. Testimony and Tips from a Survivor: Daniel Levin

    3. Expert Cameo: Rachel Bernstein, LMFT

    4. Module 5 Quiz

About this course

  • 8 Hours of Continuing Education
  • $250

Learn to work effectively with self-identified survivors of cultic experiences.

A course for mental health clinicians.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this CE course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe why specialized knowledge is essential when supporting clients with lived experience in cultic environments.

  • Evaluate key socio-historical and contextual factors that shape contemporary discourse and public understanding of cults.

  • Describe the defining characteristics of cults, including the four core structural dimensions that distinguish them from other groups.

  • Investigate the individual and group-level influences that contribute to cult involvement.

  • Explain theories of cult member retention and radicalization, focusing on psychological and social mechanisms.

  • Identify the biopsychosocial impacts of cultic abuse, and asses the hierarchical needs of cult survivors.

  • Implement evidence-based strategies to build trust, ensure psychological safety, and foster collaborative engagement in therapeutic work with cult survivors.

  • Develop trauma-informed treatment planning strategies tailored to the complex clinical needs of cult survivors.

Featuring many experts in the field, including:

  • Rachel Bernstein, LMFT

  • Jamie Marich, PhD

  • Daniel Shaw, LCSW

  • Kristina Berger, PsyD

  • Melanie Friedman, LCSW

  • AND tips and testimonies from survivors

  • The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

FAQs

  • Who do I contact with registration or other technical questions?

    Please contact the CE Program Director, Natalie Fabert: [email protected].

  • What CE sponsorship approval has the Lalich Center obtained?

    The Lalich Center is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

  • I am not a psychologist. Can I still take this course?

    This course is designed for all types of mental health care providers. You do not have to be a psychologist to take this CE course. We recommend checking directly with your particular licensing board to determine whether APA-sponsored CE credits are accepted for licensure renewal. The page will be updated to reflect new information regarding Continuing Education (CE) sponsorship approvals, specifically if and when additional institutional approvals are secured.

  • I am not a mental health care professional. Can I still take this course?

    Yes, non-therapists are welcome to take this course. However, please be advised that this course is developed and intended solely for professional continuing education purposes for licensed or credentialed mental health providers, such as psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and other qualified clinical professionals. The content, concepts, and materials presented are tailored to individuals with a foundational background in mental health theory, clinical practice, and ethical standards. This program is not designed for individuals without formal mental health training and does not provide the necessary instruction, supervision, or certification to prepare non-professionals to deliver therapeutic services or interventions. Participation in this course does not confer clinical competency or legal licensure. Certification will only apply to licensed or credentialed mental health professionals. Furthermore, the information provided in this course is educational in nature and is not a substitute for personal psychotherapy, counseling, or mental health treatment. While some topics may touch on emotionally sensitive material, this course is not intended to serve as a means of addressing personal psychological issues or processing individual trauma. If you are experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or are seeking personal support, we strongly encourage you to seek assistance from a licensed mental health professional in your area. Receiving care from a qualified provider is essential for ensuring your well-being and safety.

  • Who do I contact with an ADA requirement request?

    The Lalich Center will attempt to accommodate your ADA needs! Please complete your registration and email your specific request to Natalie Fabert at [email protected]. Payment and registration are required to fulfill an ADA request.

  • What is your cancellation and return policy?

    Because this course is delivered online and asynchronously, access is granted immediately upon registration. For this reason, all sales are final, and we are unable to offer refunds once enrollment is complete. Please review the course description, objectives, and CE eligibility information carefully before registering. If you have any questions about the course content or CE credit applicability for your profession or licensing board, we encourage you to contact us prior to purchase. In the event of a technical issue that prevents access to the course, please reach out to [email protected] so we can assist you promptly.

  • What are your grievance procedures?

    The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists. The Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Lalich Center CE Advisory Committee. While the Lalich Center on Cults and Coercion goes to great lengths to assure fair treatment for all participants and attempts to anticipate problems, there will be occasional issues which come to the attention of the CE Program Administrator which require intervention and/or action on the part of a representative of the center. This procedural description serves as a guideline for handling such grievances. When a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education programs or processes, the complainant is expected to notify the Lalich Center CE Programs Director, Dr. Fabert, via email as soon as possible. The CE Programs Director email is [email protected]. The complaint will be sent to the CE Advisory Committee Chair as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion. If the CE Advisory Committee Chair cannot immediately resolve the issue, she will bring the complaint to the Lalich Center CE Advisory Committee within one week. All possible care will be taken to uphold the confidentiality of the complainant. The committee will formulate a response to the complaint and recommend action, if necessary, which will be conveyed directly to the complainant. A grievance concerning a specific course offering, content, or costs may be resolved by modifications to future offerings, and/or by providing a partial or full refund to the complainant, or an alternative action. The participant who initiated the grievance will be informed of the status of the complaint at all levels.

  • My question is still not answered. Who can I contact?

    Please contact the CE Program Director, Dr. Natalie Fabert: [email protected]