This list is by no means exhaustive. For further information go to a medical library and discuss your search topics with the librarian. Cultic therapists get used to safe social settings in which they are not challenged, and can speak from a position of unchallenged dominance. Their world shrinks. A person who was formerly a credentialled professional and who is drifting in a cultic dir
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is material about Alex Horn available here. You're right to be concerned about your fiance. I advise consulting 'Juniper' 'needshelp' and others who are on this thread in relation to AH. Alex Horn has been married to Sharon Gans and may, according to some reports, still be involved with her. There is a vast amount of material about her group in the RR.com
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

read the material on the website and reflections on the message board and then apply that material to what you've observed about Dr. Dyer. For additional reading, go to 'Crazy Therapies' by Margaret Singer and also the chapters on New Age therapies (Ch 7) and self-help therapies (Chapter 14) and commercializing mental health issues (Chapter 15) in 'Science and Pseudoscien
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

sound like warmed-over encounter group stuff. Started at places like Esalen, then propagated far and wide, in a variety of names. Among tribal peoples, sexuality is usually treated with the utmost respect, often hedged in with many precautions and taboos. (And this is for practical reasons.. Tribal peoples live close to nature and Mother Nature doesnt forgive errors. In such conditions, livin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Another cause of mineral deficiencies There is a substance in grain bran and seed hulls called either 'phytate' or 'phytic acid'. It binds to calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium, making these minerals unavailable to the body. Fermentation, either through exposure to yeast or yogurt (lactofermentation) will neutralize phytic acid. Tannins in coffee, tea and chocolate int
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

A psychotherapist is NEVER supposed to work on his or her problems while with clients. It is shocking how many lay people are unaware of the ethical standards that therapists are supposed to follow. A few weeks ago on Craigslist.org in the psychology forum, a person was in great distress. Her therapist had socialized with her, borrowed her car (!!), then suddenly terminated her from therapy--
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This statement by a council of Native American Elders sums up the problem. You could try and contact some of the people listed here and see if they know this man and what his standing is. Someone posted here describing her involvement in two dysfunctional groups whose leaders claimed to be shamans. You might PM 'cozyquiltz' and see if she crossed paths with the person you're
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Groups of this type can be be quite durable. Some have lasted for decades. In some cases, ambitious disciples of cultic therapists may start their own franchises, borrowing techniques from their mentors. Founders of derivative groups may go indepedent after the mentor has died, retired, or unable to continue supervising groups. It is possible that other disciples may feel they have learned
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

but its been around for years. My hunch is that any book, no matter how good it is, can be used for dysfunctional purposes. The Bible has empowered saints and also empowered Jim Jones. Its the intentions of the persons using a book, their emotional needs, how they create groups and the kinds of people they prefer to recruit to a group - and how they teach a group to respond to dissent--it
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Groups of the kind you are describing can be quite durable. Some can go on for decades. The key is for the leader to be prudent, avoid nasty publicity and do very selective recruitment among persons who are affluent and discreet--and who dont concern themselves with boundary ethics to the degree that they should. In such cases, a charismatic leader who often keeps a low profile, and is surrou
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

there is an old but very good book by Aldous Huxley called 'The Devils of Loudon'. (Later turned into a movie) Huxley wrote a history of a case of social hysteria in a 17th Century French town that was exploited for political purposes. A priest in the town had made many enemies over the years, foolishly refused to leave, and in the end, a convent of nuns was persuaded to accuse the m
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

talk to an exit counselor. That will greatly facilitate your recovery. The counselor can advise you on resources, self care, how to pace yourself, and how to select people who are likely to be supportive. Rick Ross can refer you to someone in your area. It will be very important to understand exactly what kind of cult you've been in, because recovery issues differ--some are born into cult
Forum: Recovery from Destructive Cults and Groups

We have found and posted two articles from the psychological/psychiatric literature on the dynamics of psychotherapy cults. Persons who wish to evaluate the health of their Fourth Way group, or who want to keep their group in a good place may find the articles a helpful resource. The articles can also be accessed, respectively, at [66.102.7.104]
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

We have found and posted two articles from the psychological/psychiatric literature on the dynamics of psychotherapy cults. Persons who wish to evaluate the health of their groups, (whether Fourth Way or some other tradition) or who want to keep their group in a good place may find the articles a helpful resource. (Note, some links had to be cut in half to keep the page readable and within ma
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

This article is an electronic version of an article originally published in Cultic Studies Journal, 1986, Volume 3, Number 2, pages 234-242 . Please keep in mind that the pagination of this electronic reprint differs from that of the bound volume. This fact could affect how you enter bibliographic information in papers that you may write. Some Hazards of the Therapeutic Relationship* Ja
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

[66.102.7.104] misc/Factnet/BOLAND92.CSJ+hazards+temerlin&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 (*Note--copy and past the URL to your browser. We had to prune the active URL to shrink the margins of the posts so that the posts could easily be read within the format of the program--moderator) Psychotherapy Cults: An Ethical Analysis Kim Boland,Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Or
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

you are responsible for their safety. Unhealthy groups refuse to see that toddlers, school aged children and teenagers, each have different psychological needs and refuse to see that each age group has varying needs for age-appropriate discipline, priviliges and chores. Leaders of such groups are often childish themselves, and conceal this behind a face of charm and adult sophistication. D
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

for a psychotherapist to put loyalty to his or her religion or human potential group above the welfare of clients. A therapist has to be capable of remaining objective in relation to belief systems and human potential groups. If you're a therapist, you're like the designated driver at a party. Your job is to stay sober and awake so you can safetly drive vulnerable people home. Therap
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

**Is the leader of the group considered infallible or perfect? (Dont just rely on verbal answers to questions. Observe how the leader and the group actually behave) **Does the group or leader have pretensions to do psychotherapy? If so, I advise avoiding this whole situation--the risks are too high. Psychotherapy rapidly goes bad when used as a 24 hour lifestyle, because the psychotherapist o
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

*'When people choose to leave, can they/do they stay in touch with those who continue to live and work at the farm?' (Classic sign of a cult is there is no legitimate way you can leave) * 'When people decide your place is not for them, what are the commonest reasons?' * 'How often do you have meetings, and how late do the meetings run?' (Even when they are not
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Coz, see if you can put your questions about situation-induced manic high and bipolar manic episodes to persons who specialize in bipolar disorders and who teach at the various medical-psychiatry departments in OZ/NZ--see what they have to say. Even when LGAT personnel are highly conscientious and do careful pre-screening, there could still be problems. One can inherit susceptibility to bi
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

This website has good information on how pick a growth program. I cant recall if it has any recommendations for specific programs. But if you look at the checklist on how to pick an LGAT, you can make some inferences on what a features a helpful LGAT is likely to have--and which ones it should NOT have.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

OZ hit the nail on the head. My idea of a good LGAT would be something where, after just one or two seminars, you dont need the LGAT any more because you've achieved solid benefits and can apply them in any setting, not needing to return to the LGAT to keep the high going. Another sign of a good LGAT is they are set up to ensure that you have plenty of time to sleep and there is priva
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

When our innocent aliveness is sung to, touched, and then cynically exploited by a predatory person or group---the worst injury we suffer is to being resentful and terrified our own capcity for aliveness, because we may experience that innocent aliveness as something that could be fooled and tricked into betraying us--like a 2 year old child who has innocently let a burglar into the house. Ou
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

This letter by Dr. Len Oakes, author of Prophetic Charisma spells out the problems that arise when persons incapable of long term adult relationships set up as sex gurus and lead followers into bogus tantric relationships: Scroll through the letters until you find the one by Dr. Oakes
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Lets keep the tone helpful here. J-L's previous post is now on public display for all to read so that the rest of the community can decide for themselves whether he's being helpful to the discussion or disruptive. Any further posts like J-L's previous one will not be let through.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Defending an Illusory Cure--Speculations *These are hunches. See if they fit your situation. When people explode and go ballistic because you'r telling them painful information about their leader, what they may be doing is defending their sense that they've been healed by the leader. They feel better, but are unaware that their sense of well being did not result from resolving th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

called People Farm---an account of a free love psychotherapy cult that imploded in 1978-79. The author concealed everyone behind pseudonyms--but the events are real. Susoyev was a member of the leader's inner circle and nearly went to prison trying to save his leader from himself. The leader of the 'People Farm' group was a psychotherapist with excellent academic credentials. H
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Rick Ross Institute has a list of groups that are not in the database, and has information on those groups, available for a fee. I dont know what it costs--ask. I'd recommend finding an exit counselor first and foremost for your own well being. You want to stay balanced and not get exhausted from worry while your son is involved with MOL; if he gets out, you'll need to have lots of e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

lets keep the tone helpful. People who feel they've had happy experiences with LGATs have lots of LGAT sponsored social venues and cyber forums where they can get validation and peer support. But persons who feel concerned about the lack of informed consent, and feel shaken and psychologically stressed and depleted by such LGATs have few social venues where they can exchange info with
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"