I do consultations on how to counteract undue influence and manipulation. My clients come to me either as a private person concerned about someone dear or they come to me in their professional role in schools, mental health care, social services, the church, the police, the judiciary or as a journalist.

The problem is the lack of informed concent

We have freedom of thought and freedom of religion. People are allowed to believe in what they want, even bizarre things. The important question is weather the person changed thought free informed choices or was manipulated.

Common topics

How do you avoid the most common mistakes when talking to a person under undue influence?
How can you create conditions for a dialogue where the person can be encouraged to think for himself?
What to consider when the person get out and need rehabilitation?
What are the risk factors for abuse of power and recruitment methods?
When does social influence become manipulation?

Where and when can you be at risk for undue influence?

There are no contexts that are vaccinated against corruption. A leader who gains more and more power, seems to have the only truth and sees himself as the chosen one. Those in the group who say no to the leader are discreetly silenced or thrown out.

Over the years I have met groups based on spirituality in various forms, personal development, alternative therapies, yoga, pyramid schemes, politics or basically anything.

Sometimes it can be a more informal context such as a destructive relationship or an entire family where parental alienation takes place.

You are particularly vulnerable to influence when you are young, but also as an adult during periods of adjustment, like when you start a new job, take courses with new people, after a divorce or the death of a relative, you are extra vulnerable.

To summarize when you are at the wrong place at the wrong time you are at risk for undue influence. That means when you are in a vulnerable life situation and meet someone who is skilled enough in how to manipulate others who can present what seems to be an interesting offer – you are at risk.

Private consultations

When we make our first appointment, I will send you a set of worksheets. You fill them out to gather your thoughts and determine if it really is a situation of undue influence. I recommend a double session of 90 minutes to make an assessment of the context. Any subsequent meetings are booked based on your needs.

Leg. psykoterapeut Helena Löfgren. Foto: Susanne Paulsson

Video meetings

If you do not live in Stockholm, or can not go to the reception for other reasons you may prefer video meetings. Read more about how video meetings work.

Video therapy

Prices

Private individuals 1600 SEK including VAT, on site or via video. The first assessment meeting is 60 minutes and the following meetings are 45 minutes.

Payment: invoiced per month.

Organizations: Ask for a quote based on your needs, and you will receive a price for a tailor-made setup.

48 hour reschedule and cancellation policy

Your meetings are very important. They are reserved especially for you. Sometimes you may need to reschedule your appointment for various reasons. For this to be possible, you need to notify me via text message at least 24 hours before the booked time. Any appointments missed, cancelled, or changed without 48 hours notice will be charged at full price. If, for example, you need to isolate due to mild cold symptoms, video calls may  be an alternative to rescheduling your appointment.

If you forget, cancel or change your appointment without giving notice in good enough time, I don’t get the opportunity to fill the appointment and other clients miss the opportunity to get an appointment.

To make it easier, all your booked appointments are available in my medical record system CTnotes. When you book your first appointment with me, you will receive an email with a link to CTnotes. You can then activate your account within 7 days by logging in. There you can see both your upcoming meetings, homework assignments, and fill out forms and more.

Books, podcasts, documentaries and film about undue influence and cults

Links for more information about undue influence and cults