Paul R. Martin was a psychotherapist, licensed clinical psychologist, and director of the Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center in Ohio. He also worked in private practice in Athens, Ohio. Martin taught psychology, psychopharmacology, and the Biblical basis of behavior for five years at Geneva College, where he was a member of the department of psychology.
Martin was a former member and leader of Great Commission International (currently called Great Commission Association of Churches). In 1971, he dropped out of graduate school to join the group, when it was known as "The Blitz". He later left the group when he did not receive an adequate response, after questioning its more controversial methods and tactics.
Martin is also known for his testimony in the "Beltway Snipers" trial about the effects of brainwashing.He also worked as an expert witness for various other court cases such as the 11th 9/11 hijacker and many other cases.
John G. Clark Award for Distinguished Scholarship in Cultic Studies, 1993 Enlightenment: Ma's ashram: A Press Journal special report, TCPalm.com, May 5, 2004, Jayne Hustead.In May 1993, Martin received the American Family Foundation's John G. Clark award for distinguished scholarship in cult studies. (with Edward Lottick, M.D.)
Recovery from Cults , Contributor, "Facilitating Recovery", 1994
Cult-Proofing Your Kids, May 1993
An Integrative Approach, Pergamon General Psychology Series, March 1991
Articles
"A Critical Analysis of the Executive Success Programs Inc.", February 12, 2003
"Pseudo-Identity and the Treatment of Personality Change in Victims of Captivity and Cults", Louis J. West, M.D., Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Paul R. Martin, Ph.D.
"Cults and the Millennium", Paradigm, Summer 1998
"Overcoming the Bondage of Revictimization: A Rational/Empirical Defense of Thought Reform", Cultic Studies Journal, Psychological Manipulation and Society, Vol. 15, No. 2, 1998
"Deprogramming, Exit Counseling, and Ethics: Clarifying the Confusion", Winter 1993, Christian Research Journal
"Post-Cult Symptoms As Measured by the MCMI Before and After Residential Treatment", Cultic Studies Journal, 1992, Volume 9, Number 2, pages 219—250.
"Dispelling the myths: The psychological consequences of cultic involvement", Christian Research Journal, Winter/Spring 1989, 9—14
"What is a Cult?"
"Pitfalls to Recovery"
"Study Indicates Rehab’s Benefits"
Conferences
"The Non-Negotiable Factors in Cult Recovery", Leo J. Ryan Conference, 2001
"Cults, Psychological Manipulation & Society", Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 1999
AFF Annual Conference: Jonestown Memorial, November 1998, Chicago, Illinois
AFF Annual Conference: Children and Cults, May 1998, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
"Cults: A Clinical and Research Update", Undue Influence Conference, National Institute of Health, January 17, 1997, Bethesda, Maryland
"Psychological Aspects of Cultic Involvement", Rockford Conference on Discernment and Evangelism, 1989
"Self-injury Behavioral Programs", 2nd Annual Behavior Modification Conference, Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 1986