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Written by Sane Again, on 03-04-2008 19:17 Many former PSI participants have said that the group they were in used coercive persuasion techniques.    A Stafford University professor identified "the key factors that distinguish coercive persuasion from other training and socialization schemes are:    1. The reliance on intense interpersonal and psychological attack to destabilize an individual's sense of self to promote compliance    2. The use of an organized peer group    3. Applying interpersonal pressure to promote conformity    4. The manipulation of the totality of the person's social environment to stabilize behavior once modified."    Coercive persuasion, also called "thought reform," is quite different from education, advertising, propaganda and indoctrination.    See [www.rickross.com]    This is a chart prepared by psychologist Margaret Singer.    Note the distinctions.    Most LGATs are run by for profit privately owned companies.    They are typically not subject to licensing or regulation, as are licensed professionals, such as marriage and family therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists.    People are safer going with licensed professionals and support groups facilitated by licensed professionals available through local social services, colleges, community centers or hospital services.