Definition
deprogrammer
noun
- a person who attempts to free someone from the influence of a cult, ideology, or coercive control through counseling or other intervention methods
Usage: often used in the context of cult recovery; the practice and ethics of deprogramming are debated
Examples
- The family hired a deprogrammer to help their son leave the cult.
- Deprogrammers work with individuals who have been subjected to intense indoctrination.
- Some deprogrammers use therapeutic techniques to rebuild critical thinking skills.
- The deprogrammer spent months helping her recover from the group's influence.
- Critics question whether deprogrammers always respect individual autonomy.