Wow, I can’t imagine working in the self-help field after realizing how culty and coercive it all is...how do you deal with it? Are you open about your own views and beliefs in the workplace? I am so happy someone else here recognizes the absolute awfulness of the mental health industry, and how similar it is to the self-help industry. You are SO right that both use heavy amounts of victim-bl
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Could you tell me more about how you see it in your industry? I mainly see it at work and in my field. I work at a mental health web magazine and do research in the field of mental health law and policy, and it seems like everyone has their own version of, “If you just do X then all your suffering would go away, but you’re not doing X well enough so you’re still suffering.” X could be meditati
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Same here. But how do you deal with it? How do you deal with the fact that like 90% of the general public espouses some amount of this ideology?
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I feel like I keep noticing LGAT ideology in everyday life and it is becoming unbearable. People are quick to criticize self-help cults like Landmaark and Scientology for their deceptive recruitment tactics and overt coercion but they will then turn around and tout their ideology - the idea that you are responsible for whatever happens, that victimhood doesn’t exist, that you can think your way o
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

I need to tell SOMEONE about this and ask about this and I didn't know where else to other than here. As some of you know, my (now ex) fiancé and I did the LGAT together. Part of the LGAT was convincing people that any and all health problems come from limiting beliefs. That we create them in our head and are "choosing" to have them in order to be "victimy." At the
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

For anyone who's interested, here's an awesome video of a woman standing up to Tony Robbins' victim-blaming bullshit against sexual assault survivors who are speaking out in the #MeToo movement:
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

After I completed my LGAT, I experienced a state that is hard to find words to describe. I was in a constant state of panic and terror for about a week. I was afraid to be alone in a room, I couldn't sleep with the lights off, I would jump/startle at the slightest noise, and I could not stop crying. I was wondering whether anyone else experienced something similar or might have an explanatio
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi GloriaG, Thank you so much for replying to my post. Yes, I did participate in the training. Can I ask how long it took for you to heal after the training? Why is it that you think the training creates such a sense of meaninglessness and emptiness? I've never experienced anything like this.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It's been almost a year since I lost my ex-fiancé to an LGAT, and I am still feeling depressed. I am with someone new now, and it is an amazing relationship. But I am still feeling depressed, hopeless, apathetic, bored, and cynical about life in general. I'm not sure how much of this is from the break-up and how much is a reaction to the training. Is this normal? Have any of y
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi all, I started a Facebook group for survivors and critics of high demand self-help groups like LGATs, some 12 step programs, Law of Attraction, etc. Here is the link: Feel free to join!
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi Kdag, Thank you so much for reading my piece :) I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks also for the feedback about mental health professionals. I will definitely check on that. I know the woman who led our training was a marriage and family therapist, and a lot of people involved in this particular training have psychology or therapy degrees. In most states, hospitals can force medicat
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi everyone, I have posted on here before, and as some of you know, my (now ex) fiancé and I completed a Large Group Awareness Training about eight weeks ago. I work at a web magazine and my boss gave me permission to write an expose/personal story about the Large Group Awareness Training, even though it isn't really our usual topic. I thought some of you guys might be interested i
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Has anyone heard of the Hoffman Institute? I just found out that a famous activist in a social justice movement I am in, who recently died by suicide, completed the Hoffman Institute trainings in November. I am so scared and freaked out by this information. I want to learn more.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi all, Does anyone know what happens during the 3rd level of the Lifespring program? My fiancé is currently at the 3rd level this weekend. I'd really like to find out more information about what he'll be doing. Emily
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Thank you so, so much. It is so wonderful to know I am not alone in this, and that I am not just being some crazy controlling terrible fiancé for freaking about about his participation in this program. I look forward to seeing some links that may be helpful.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

Hi everyone, On Monday night, my fiancé and I completed a five-day intro course with an offshoot of Lifespring in Orange County, California. This whole week, I have been having an extreme trauma reaction to the training. I have felt unsafe, scared, hypervigilant, and panicky all week. I am gradually beginning to feel better, but my fiancé is planning to do the next level training and I am s
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"