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Steve Eichel

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Steve Eichel
Born
Steve Dubrow-Eichel

1954 (age 69–70)[1]
United States
NationalityAmerican
Alma materB.A.,Columbia University
M.S.,University of Pennsylvania
Ph.D.,University of Pennsylvania
Scientific career
FieldsPsychology
InstitutionsRETIRN
Websitedrsteveeichel

Steve K. D. Eichel(bornSteve Dubrow-Eichel;1954) is apsychologistknown primarily for his work ondestructive cults,coercive persuasion,mind control,brainwashing,anddeprogramming.He is a former president of the Greater Philadelphia Society ofClinical Hypnosisand the 2006–07 president of the American Academy of Counseling Psychology, the national membership academy comprisingAmerican Board of Professional Psychology(ABPP) Board-certified counseling psychologists.[2]In 2012 he was installed as the President of the Board of theInternational Cultic Studies Association.

Eichel graduated with hisPh.D.in 1989 from theUniversity of Pennsylvania.[2]He has performed research with fellow psychologist Linda Dubrow in the area ofprocrastination.Dubrow and Eichel studiedcultcharacteristics of the groupAl-Qaedaafter theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks.Eichel was anexpert witnessin the 2003 case ofLee Boyd Malvo,where he testified that Malvo suffered from a form ofdissociative disordercaused by coercive persuasion. He has worked to exposefraudulentpractices of credentialing organizations, by obtaining numerous certifications for hispet cat,Zoe, including theNational Guild of Hypnotists,the American Board of Hypnotherapy and the International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association. Eichel has practicedclinical psychologyinPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaandNewark, Delaware.He has lectured on the subject of cults, brainwashing, andterrorism.

Early life, family and education

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Eichel is the child of survivors of theHolocaust;his parents spent time inNazi concentration camps.[1]His parents only recounted to him, "anecdotes here and there"; Eichel explained toThe Philadelphia Inquirer,"Most of what I thought I knew about their experiences was my own fantasy that filled in the enormous gaps."[1]

Eichel received aB.A.degree fromColumbia University,andM.S.fromUniversity of Pennsylvania.[2]He obtained hisPh.D.in 1989, atUniversity of Pennsylvania.[2]Eichel is a Board Certified Diplomate inCounseling Psychology,American Board of Professional Psychology.[2]

Research

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In 1988, with fellow psychologist Linda Dubrow Eichel, he performed research in the area ofprocrastination.[3]During thePersian Gulf war,Eichel said that images from the conflict affected histeenageclients, "Those two things really hit my teenage patients hard."[4]He said thatbad dreamsabout the battles were "little red lights, saying it's time to step back, think about yourself, think about your life, talk to other people, gather information, connect with people who are important to you. It is a warning sign that you should not go on with life as usual."[4]He commented toThe Philadelphia Inquirerin 2000 on the subject of the controversial religious group, theevangelicalInternational Church of Christ;that the methodology behind the group "is that you give yourself over to the person who acts as your 'shepherd' or discipler, and they get tremendous control over you… Every minute [of your life] must beChrist-centered, and that when you give yourself over to Jesus, you give yourself over to the ICC. "[5]In 2000, Eichel said he hadcounseledapproximately six former members of the group in hispsychotherapypractice.[6]Linda Dubrow and Eichel worked together at the organization Re-Entry Therapy, Information and Referral Network (RETIRN).[7]

With Dubrow, Eichel has researchedmedia coverage regarding September 11, 2001, attacksand has determined that the groupAl-Qaedais acult.[8]WithMichael LangoneandArthur Dole,Eichel performed a series of studies researching and defining the concept of "new age";their research was published in theCultic Studies Journal.[9]

Eichel was anexpert witnessin the 2003criminal trialofLee Boyd Malvo;in addition to psychologistsDewey Cornelland Diane Schetky and psychiatrist Neil Blumberg.[10][11][12]Eichel testified that Malvo suffered from a form ofdissociative disorder,[10]caused bycoercive persuasion.[11]

Eichel exposed the nature of the mail-order credentialing of organizations in the United States by obtaining board certification from the "American Psychotherapy Association" for hispet cat,Zoe.[13][14][15]The Washington Postreported in 2002: "Zoe has been issued credentials by theNational Guild of Hypnotists,the American Board of Hypnotherapy and the International Medical & Dental Hypnotherapy Association, and is a Professional Member of the American Association of Professional Hypnotherapists. "[16]Eichel commented toBBC Newsregarding the motivation for this endeavor, "I felt I'd test my hypothesis and I did that by getting my cat certified by a number of the most prominent layhypnosisorganisations in the United States. It was a frighteningly simple process. "[17]The certifications were obtained for his cat, under the full name, "Dr. Zoe D. Katze".[18]

Eichel utilizes hypnosis in his practice ofpsychotherapy.[16]In 2003, Eichel practiced psychology inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania,and treated victims ofsex addiction.[19]He practiced in the area ofclinical psychology.[14]He lectured in 2008 on the subject of "Cults, Gangs, Terrorism or Brainwashing, Mind Control and the Law", at a conference oncultsheld byCreighton University.[20]Eichel was scheduled to speak on June 19, 2010, at a conference titled: "UnderstandingRadicalizationandDe-RadicalizationStrategies "inEast Hartford, Connecticut,along withPakistan's ambassador to the United States,Husain Haqqani,and psychologist Michael Langone.[21]

In 2008, Eichel resided inNewark, Delaware.[22]

References

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  1. ^abc"Remembering the Holocaust".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC. April 15, 1983. p. D01.
  2. ^abcde"Steve K. D. Eichel, Ph.D., ABPP".Retirn.Re-Entry Therapy, Information & Referral Network. 2010.Retrieved2010-06-19.
  3. ^Towarnicky, Carol (Knight-Ridder Newspapers) (March 30, 1988). "Procrastination is not always negative, say psychologists".The Lewiston Journal.p. 8B.
  4. ^abBauers, Sandy (February 24, 1991). "When war invades our dreams".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC. p. L01.
  5. ^O'Reilly, David (February 28, 2000). "Disciples at forum deny cult claims - The International Church of Christ was seeking new members. Critics say the faith is too controlling".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC. p. B01.
  6. ^Remsen, Jim (February 26, 2000). "Controversial group to hold a conference - Tomorrow's gathering is for women. Complaints have dogged the organization since its founding 15 years ago".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:Philadelphia Newspapers, LLC. p. A14.
  7. ^Kemp, Daren (2004).New Age: A Guide.Edinburgh University Press. p. 113.ISBN0-7486-1532-6.
  8. ^Stout, Chris E. (2002).The Psychology of Terrorism: Volume III, Theoretical Understandings and Perspectives.Praeger. p. 221.ISBN0-275-97867-2.
  9. ^Chryssides, George D.;Margaret Wilkins (2006).A Reader in New Religious Movements.Continuum. p. 364.ISBN0-8264-6167-0.
  10. ^abBradley, Paul; Kiran Krishnamurthy (December 10, 2003). "Critical Malvo witness grilled - prosecution challenges claim that teen was a pawn of lead sniper".Richmond Times-Dispatch.Richmond Newspapers, Inc. p. A-1.
  11. ^abHopkins, John; Tony Germanotta (December 10, 2003). "Tacoma killing was Malvo's 'First Big Test,' expert testifies".The Virginian-Pilot.p. A1.
  12. ^Costanzo, Mark; Daniel A. Krauss; Kathy Pezdek (2006).Expert Psychological Testimony for the Courts.Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. p. 190.ISBN978-0-8058-5648-4.
  13. ^Cwik, Cynthia H.; John L. North (2005).Scientific Evidence Review: Admissibility of Expert Evidence.American Bar Association. pp. 7–8.ISBN1590312201.
  14. ^abBoodman, Sandra G. (April 13, 2004)."Risen From the Ashes".The Washington Post.p. F01.Retrieved2010-06-18.
  15. ^"Pet Cat Becomes A Professional Hypnotist".Digital Journal.Newstex. October 28, 2009.
  16. ^ab"The Litter Box of Profession...".The Washington Post.December 3, 2002. p. F03.
  17. ^"Cat registered as hypnotherapist".BBC News.BBC.October 12, 2009.Retrieved2010-06-18.
  18. ^Krämer, Katrina (November 24, 2017)."Of good dogs and bad journals".Chemistry World.Royal Society of Chemistry.RetrievedFebruary 13,2023.
  19. ^Elias, Marilyn (August 11, 2003)."Sex 'addiction' is real but exaggerated, experts say".USA Today.Gannett Company, Inc. p. 7D.Retrieved2010-06-18.
  20. ^"Gangs, cults subject of Creighton conference".US Fed News.Omaha, Nebraska:LexisNexis.April 8, 2008.
  21. ^Campbell, Susan (June 17, 2010). "Understanding radicalization (and de-radicalization strategies)".Fear Itself.The Hartford Courantdelivered by Newstex.
  22. ^Zuckerman, Edward L. (2008).The Paper Office.The Guilford Press. p. ix, 242, 245.ISBN978-1-59385-835-3.
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