Quote
Lady Pleiades
I was in a 12-step/psychotherapy "community" in Winter Park, FL that shares many characteristics with cults.
The leader, Maureen Traynor, was very narcissistic and controlling. Her daughter was Therapist #2. Being in the "inner circle" meant we spent all holidays with them. She used to say she had some special way of recovery which made us better than the other sick people, particularly in AA. Any criticism of Maureen would merit punishment which included having your car taken away, being forced to move residences and stay with different people, being forced to go to more therapy and more meetings, 24 hour surveillance really.
As I began to question what they were doing more and more, I was told that I had borderline personality disorder and I was in serious crisis. Thank god, I left. Several therapists and psychiatrists since have told me that isn't true.
When I finally left, she told me I would not survive. All people who leave are ostracized. She told everyone in the community I was leaving in "sex addiction" and would be on the streets shortly. That never happened thankfully.
Thanks for letting me share.
My input into this topic is that there are good therapists and then there are very, very bad ones.
Does Maureen Traynor have any credentials as a therapist? Sounds like she answers to no one.