In reference to this thread:

[forum.culteducation.com]


Here’s a thread to discuss the risks of psychotherapy. “Psychotherapy” is used in the general sense here, so it includes psychology, psychiatry (but not the drugs), counselling and so on, and includes licensed/registered therapists.

This purpose of this thread is not vilify all therapists. The purpose is to draw attention to the problems that can arise from unethical or incompetent therapy. Some researchers and former therapists have criticized the basic premises of psychotherapy, and whether it benefits any clients at all. This is a particular concern for people seeking therapy after leaving a cult, LGAT or similar. The last thing you need is to go from the frying pan into the fire.

Here are some links to get started:

[www.psychotherapybrownbag.com]

[www.davidsmail.info]

[www.youtube.com]

Interesting.

FYI--Scientology has also taken a very strong position against psychotherapy and psychiatry.

See [www.cchr.org]

Scientology operates through a front group called "The Citizens Commission on Human Rights" (CCHR).

Scientology has also intensely opposed medications prescribed by psychiatrists, such as Ritalin.

Regarding your second link--who is David Small and what is his background? Is he a psychologist, psychiatrist or Ph.D. in what field? There wasn't much bio information about him.

Regarding your YouTube link--who is Yvonne Bates? Is she a licensed therapist or counselor? What is her background?

It seems like you are angry due to a personal falling out with a therapist, which you cited in an early post.

See [forum.culteducation.com]

As stated on that thread I don't know that your battle regarding therapists is relevant to this message board.

You were advised before to pursue the complaint process.

Unlike independent therapists and/or counselors, a licensed mental health professional has some level of accountability through a licensing board.

This is why most people seeking such professional help most often prefer help from someone that is licensed.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2010 01:31AM by rrmoderator.

David Smail is a retired clinical psychologist who uses his clinical experience to question some of the generally accepted 'sacred cows' of the profession in the time-honored manner that academics ceaselessly examine their own disciplines in an attempt to improve said disciplines.


[en.wikipedia.org])

(I can't get this link to display properly, google David Smail (psychologist) for the Wiki page bio.)

It is a very rarified exercise that is probably not relevant to the general reader on this board, but has nothing to do with the complete rejection of the discipline that Scientology promotes.

He has written some interesting books that do not reject the practice but bring into question some of the 'shibboleths' that have contributed to the discipline being seen as some exercise of power by the practitioner over the patient, rather than a collaborative attempt to help the patient understand why he is feeling distressed.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2010 10:22AM by Stoic.

One of David Smail's books is available to read on the net:

[www.davidsmail.info]



"In a sidebar in 'Power Responsibility and Freedom' Smail posits three laws that if understood fully would save everyone a lot of anxiety:

"Absolutely everybody wants to be liked (law 1).

Everyone feels different inside (less confident, less able, etc.) from how they infer other people to feel (law 2).

Few honest and courageous people who have achieved anything of real value in life do not feel a fraud much of the time (law 3)".

To which I would add the maxim I have had pasted above my desk for the past 30 years in the hope that it would sink in some: "You'd worry less about what others think of you if you knew how seldom they do it"

oh well. everything in life in this material world has risks. it's a major risk to place your life, to open your heart to someone who doesn't know himself and his goal in life. that's all.
so important to know yourself. to pray to the Lord in your heart so you may hear His gauidance.

yes indeed. the psych drugs have been closely associated with violent, suicidal behavior. Ritalin, it's been said, has been assocciated with more than one incident of mass shootings in the schools where young children and more were killed.
Nature is a powerful healer. going out in nature, taking herbs, changing diet,altering lifestyle helps much.