Exit counseling and deprogramming are two related but distinct processes often employed in situations involving individuals who are involved in controversial or potentially harmful groups or ideologies.
Exit counseling, also known as intervention, is a voluntary process aimed at assisting individuals who are involved in high-demand groups or cults to reconsider their involvement and make an informed decision about leaving. It typically involves a trained professional or a team of experts who work with the individual, providing information, emotional support, and alternative perspectives. The goal of exit counseling is to help individuals regain their autonomy and critical thinking abilities, empowering them to make independent choices regarding their involvement in the group.
Deprogramming, on the other hand, refers to a more coercive and controversial approach that was used in the past, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s. Deprogramming involved forcibly removing individuals from cults or groups deemed harmful and subjecting them to intensive, often confrontational, interventions aimed at breaking their psychological attachment to the group. This process was highly controversial and often met with ethical concerns due to the use of coercion and potential violation of personal freedoms.
It’s important to note that deprogramming is generally considered outdated and unethical, and it is no longer widely practiced. Exit counseling, on the other hand, continues to be used as a voluntary and supportive approach to help individuals reconsider their involvement in harmful groups.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 