Dr. Patrick J. Knapp; Saturday, June 25, 2022; 1:00 PM-1:50 PM
Currently there are at least four major, identifiable perspectives on how people best understand and recover from religious abuse. These basic theoretical viewpoints are: (a) a thought-reform or mind-control perspective, (b) a deliberative or Conversionist conceptualization, (c) a psychosocial needs-based perspective and finally (d) a dynamic-systems approach. Both secular and faith-based (Christian) adherents can be variously identified in each of these perspectives. All these viewpoints have their various strengths and limitations. Each is helpful to the extent possible, given the limitations of its respective philosophic or theological assumptions. However, a larger contextual approach may be more helpful to sufficiently understand involvement in and recovery from religiously abusive environments. This presentation will integrate features from various conceptual frameworks and suggests essential principles necessary for recovery from such abuse.
A fifth perspective SECURE, is introduced and explained. This approach includes the importance of essential recovery principles that are embedded in the concept and practice of the following: finding a Safe haven, derived from attachment theory; acknowledging the essential role and function of Emotion, identified in emotion focused therapy; realizing the benefits of remaining Cognitively focused, found in cognitive behavioral theory; having Unconditional positive regard, from client center humanistic psychology; having a required Relational support system, as identified in the 12-step plans of recovery; and finally, affirming the need of Education to understand family-systems theory as a unifying and organizing principle to the religious environment.
Agenda
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Dr. Patrick J. Knapp
Co-director/Life recovery coach
Becoming Free LLC
Patrick J. Knapp, PhD. Following a 14-year involvement in a high-control abusive Christian sect (1970-1984) Pat completed an MA (Philosophy of Religion) from Denver Seminary (Winter, 2000). His MA thesis was titled “The Place of Mind Control in the Cult Recovery Process.” His doctoral studies focused on marriage and family systems and attachment theory at Gordon Conwell with his PhD (Pastoral Psychology) thesis completed at Graduate Theological Foundation “A Survey of Religious Abuse and Recovery.”
He and his wife (Heidi Knapp) co-direct Becoming Free, LLC (www.BecomingFree.org). This organization facilitates educational support for all those who have been religiously abused. As a life-recovery coach for over 35 years Pat has assisted people to process harmful spiritual experiences for improved insight and emotional healing. He and his wife (Heidi) provide HIPPA compliant video internet and in-person life coaching and support groups both for former members and friends and family members effected by religious or spiritual abuse.
In 2017 he contributed a chapter on support groups in "Cult Recovery: A Clinician’s Guide to Working with Former Members and Families" (Goldberg, L. et al, 2017). His most recent book publication is "Understanding Religious Abuse and Recovery: Discovering Essential Principles for Hope and Healing." (Pickwick Publications, 2021). In this book he evaluates various perspectives of religious abuse recovery and introduces a new perspective (SECURE), a synthesis model that incorporates family systems and attachment theory as understood within a Christian worldview. He also includes in this book: practical recovery strategies, on-going supportive resources and three user-friendly indexes.
Pat and his wife (Heidi) can be reached at becomingfree.org@gmail.com or at 720-227-8695
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