Recovering from Mormonism Workshop Pt. 4 (The Influence Continuum) - John Dehlin & Steven Hassan

Recovering From Mormonism: Understanding the Influence Continuum and Exit Counseling

When members leave high-control religious organizations like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they often face a disorienting psychological landscape. The transition from structured belief systems to autonomous selfhood raises profound questions: How do people rebuild identity after years of institutional conditioning? What frameworks help individuals understand their own experience of religious influence? These questions took center stage in a recent workshop on Recovering from Mormonism, where religious scholar John Dehlin and cult recovery expert Steven Hassan presented their "Influence Continuum", a model for understanding how authority and control operate within faith communities and how people can systematically recover afterward.

This discussion matters not only for those actively leaving Mormonism, but also for families navigating belief differences, mental health professionals supporting clients through faith transitions, and researchers studying how religious organizations shape identity and autonomy. The framework presented offers practical language for understanding coercive influence and a structured pathway toward psychological healing.

Background: The Context of Faith Crisis and Exit Counseling

The past two decades have witnessed a significant increase in Latter-day Saint disaffiliation, driven by access to historical information, evolving social values, and the psychological toll of maintaining belief inconsistent with available evidence. According to research cited in Mormon Stories Podcast, John Dehlin has become a prominent voice in this landscape, offering coaching and resources specifically designed for people navigating what he calls "faith crises."

Steven Hassan, an exit counselor and cult recovery specialist, brings decades of expertise from his work with former members of organizations like the Unification Church (Moonies). His presence at this workshop represents a significant moment: the application of cult-recovery methodology to mainstream religious contexts.