I am starting a new stream here because it concerns me that the Cult Education Forum doesn't appear until well down the Google list if people look for this organisation on the web. My mistake, I shouldn't have used Spectrum, North London to begin. Nevertheless, I suggest people read the stuff in the Spectrum, North London stream to get up to date. Lots of good stuff in there. Internal
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

I am not so convinced about Ukcp's ability to deal with Spectrum. Ukcp is the keeper of a register of psychotherapists. These therapists are placed on there by their member organisations (MOs). The organisations are mutually protective and Ukcp is dependent on these MOs for its existence. I am aware that more than one leaver has informed Ukcp about Spectrum and no action has been taken again
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Dear Skintab, Thanks for posting. As you allude...it takes courage to confront the cultic group. Cultic thinking teaches us to think big, think anxiously. We always see 'them' as stronger, more powerful, more clued up, and more effective than they actually are. For instance, they "monitor" while the rest of us mere mortals 'read'. Let's hope they fin
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Spectrum continue to descend into increased boundarylessness. While leavers are still frightened to post they continue to give information about their appalling treatment by the cultic central group headed by the Coopers. Still perhaps the end is not too far off. While the beleagured, diminishing, and ageing staff group, the Coopers' lackeys, struggle with increasing debt and work burdens;
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Does anyone have any information about this group and its leader? Looks kosher but the evolution of the group replicates that of many cults.
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

It's dissappointing not to have heard from more readers about Spectrum Therapy. It occured to me that the subject wasn't being seen by people exploring the possibility of training there or by leavers. Possibly because I had posted as Spectrum, North London while they advertise on the net as Spectrum Therapy. I am learning so much about Psychotherapy 'high demand' groups, or c
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

This is an interesting list. Bears some study, although the particulars may seem not to gel..I think that they perfectly fit the Spectrum system and mirror many of my own experiences. Dr. Robert J. Lifton's Eight Criteria for Thought Reform 1. Milieu Control. This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the indivi
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Well, a lot of views now! If you do respond I would strongly advise you to use the facility of confidentiality this site offers. Only post what you feel you have experienced and can justify. Spectrum are well able to respond unethically and even unlawfully to leavers, and the unconscious power of old wounds caused by the attacks on all but the wholly positive transference adherents is not to b
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

I appreciate any input in response to my postings. I suppose there is a place for a discussion of the generic nature of cultic manifestations in psychotherapeutic settings. It's not what I wanted to facilitate here though. One of the things about Spectrum was the efficacy of isolating individuals in the dialogic arena and thus preventing any systemic change. It's only as a group th
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Thanks for the book title, I'll look it out.
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

It would be absolutely inappropriate for me to comment on either Mr. Gale or Mr. Dryden as I have no experience of either of them as practitioners. I haven't seen the practices you describe in Spectrum mixed sexuality groups, or heard of them. Some of what I have heard of and experienced in the single gender sexuality groups now seems dubious in the light of current good practice. For inst
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Hi I agree with everything you've said in your post Phillipa. You've been brave and consistent and I only regret that circumstances prevent me going public at this time. I undertake to say nothing that I can't defend in a public forum however. There are concrete concerns to take to UKCP and I know that others have. As you say, whether they seem profound to UKCP is another matt
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Are you sure? My experience of Spectrum is that they very rarely use outsiders on trainings, certainly not on their sexuality "trainings".
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

I don't know a lot about Mr Gale's practices, although the distress of his accusers is obvious. He is featured in the Times Higher Education Supplement today with regard to Dr. Windy Dryden, an emminent academic connected to Goldsmiths College in London. It always seems easier for the British to deal with eggregious individuals than organisations. Spectrum, mentioned elsewhere in the
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

I should add that, during my whole time in Spectrum, the Coopers were not in therapy. When questioned about this one, of many, double standards Terry Cooper replied, "I live with Jenner".
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

every piece of the literature I've read about Psychotherapy Cults identifies dual and multiple roles as one of the main causes. Although there are times when these are unavoidable, eg a lecturer on a course may be a student's therapist, they are to be avoided or at least acknowledged and allowed for. Both UKCP and BACP recommend this, yet both have Spectrum, who not only don't avoi
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Hi A quick reply and I will reply more fully later. The 2 practitioners you mention are, of course, core staff and totally supportive of multiple roles, their own disempowerment. The £3k staff fees are IN ADDITION to all the other HUGE and COMPULSORY costs of being a Spectrum adherent. Core staff consider these a privilege to pay for, as Julia Naish said to a large group of potential staff ind
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

hi, This is my third attempt to post. Something seems to happen to them so I hope this one is successful and that I don't repeat myself too much if the others appear. I hope you find the Hochman interesting, I imagine it seems v. familiar. I've found a lot of interesting stuff on psychotherapy cults and as well as this site recommend The International Cultic Studies Association. I�
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Iatrogenic symptoms associated with a therapy cult: examination of an extinct "new psychotherapy" with respect to psychiatric deterioration and "brainwashing". • Hochman J. In 1982, the first and only discussion of psychotherapy cults appeared in the literature. Temerlin and Temerlin (1982) studied five "bizarre" groups which were formed when five practitioners of
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Hi, Thanks for getting in touch. Since I left Spectrum have tried to damage me professionally. I am responding to that appropriately. I recognise much of what you say and sadly didn't leave soon enough. Like many Spectrum leavees I felt exploited and infantilised there; pathologised for not recognising how lucky I was to be there! (irony). I'm pleased to say that retraining and a spel
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

my experience with Spectrum was a while ago. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had a recent/current experience of Spectrum. Also, anyone who has left in the past and found their leaving experience very painful and difficult and protracted.
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse

Does anyone else have experience of Spectrum in North London. This is a highly suspect Psychotherapy "Training and Therapy" organisation. They operate many dual roles and double standards and trainees are expected to stay in therapy FOREVER. Cultic Psychotherapy organisations exist to enrich the owners and not to help patients!
Forum: Clergy and Therapy Abuse