Patrick J Knapp

Patrick J. Knapp, PhD. Following a 14-year involvement in a high-control abusive Christian sect (1970-1984) Pat completed an MA (Philosophy of Religion) from Denver Seminary (Winter, 2000). His MA thesis was titled “The Place of Mind Control in the Cult Recovery Process.” His doctoral studies focused on marriage and family systems and attachment theory at Gordon Conwell with his PhD (Pastoral Psychology) thesis completed at Graduate Theological Foundation “A Survey of Religious Abuse and Recovery.”

He and his wife (Heidi Knapp) co-direct Becoming Free, LLC (www.BecomingFree.org). This organization facilitates educational support for all those who have been religiously abused. As a life-recovery coach for over 35 years Pat has assisted people to process harmful spiritual experiences for improved insight and emotional healing. He and his wife (Heidi) provide HIPPA compliant video internet and in-person life coaching and support groups both for former members and friends and family members effected by religious or spiritual abuse. Additionally, they present at various conferences on the topic of religious abuse and recovery.

In 2017 he contributed a chapter on support groups in "Cult Recovery: A Clinician’s Guide to Working with Former Members and Families" (Goldberg, L. et al, 2017). In April 2021 he had a book published "Understanding Religious Abuse and Recovery: Discovering Essential Principles for Hope and Healing." (Pickwick Publications). In this book he evaluates various perspectives of religious abuse recovery and introduces a new perspective (SECURE), a synthesis model that incorporates family systems and attachment theory as understood within a Christian worldview. He also includes in this book: practical recovery strategies, on-going supportive resources and three user-friendly indexes. Most recently (2022) he had a couple of chapters published in "Wounded Faith: Understanding and Healing from Spiritual Abuse" (ICSA). One chapter was on the stages of recovery from religious abuse and the other (co-authored with his spouse, Heidi) was on marital damage and recovery following religious abuse.

Pat and his wife (Heidi) can be reached at becomingfree.org@gmail.com or at 720-227-8695.