Part 7 - LAST PART! - Pseudoscience in Psychotherapy Hurts People

[steveoho]

... TPM only asks God/Jesus. It does not use leading questions and avoids jumping to conclusions or providing answers. Never are you to hypnotize or tell them to picture something or go in with an assumption of what you'll find in a memory. I'm glad you got away from that lady as she clearly had an agenda... my guess is that she has gone through sexual abuse... maybe you can ask her someday.

As for DID... I have some experience with dissociation and can speak on that if you wish to hear.

[steveoho]

... and then ask God for how he saw that situation. He often times will give that person truth in some fashion such as you realizing ohh that isn't true or words that speak truth or even an image to clear things up. Ed used this with incest survivors and not only were they able to recall the memory without pain they were able to live free from the beliefs they believed about themselves at those times.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with it, but let me assure you that is not TPM...

[steveoho]

Thank you for sharing your story. I thought I'd comment about Theophostic (TPM) as I've had experience with it. It was developed by Ed Smith a Kentucky Baptist minister. Its principle is that its not the memory or life experience itself that causes pain for a person, but rather what is believed in that memory. We reference these past memories to give us an idea of how to respond. So the process attempts to follow present emotions back to an original memory, find what we believed, and ...

[MIKAFANFROMAMERICA]

It sounds like your experience was bittersweet. Bitter because of the pain, but sweet because the ultimate result was that you learned to be a skeptic. Congratulations, and kudos for learning a lesson that most people never do. Have you filed a lawsuit? If so, what was the outcome?

[ech0dancer]

@maradashewolf u r right What was done to this awesome lady is nothing short of PSYCHOLOGICAL RAPE & should have NEVER happened

@PandyFackleresque BEAUTIFUL job on the series THANK YOU for unabashedness

I have a lot of info on my FB as:melody yesterday hit OLDER POSTS & again & again at the bottom - I get off topic but if not I'm sure I would go off the deep end... GOOD LUCK - keep on !

[Smithpolly]

180.  360 would bring you right back to to where you were.

[xxxild]

I adore you for making this video. I'm processing some stuff happened to me, even at my age, and I needed to watch this. alowlyapprentice sent me. thank you. <3

[ech0dancer]

@xxxild ditto !

[ScottJanssen]

I'm willing to bet she (the therapist) had zero relationship with her father, and feels better when other women don't have a relationship with their father.

[lmollot]

iridology works- used by chinese for hundreds years- no research = your loss

[PandyFackleresque]

@lmollot People have also used blood-letting as a means of ridding themselves of diseases for hundreds of years. So I guess that means that it works.

[CorneliusSneedley]

@lmollot Speaking of no research, iridology is European in origin. You can't blame the Chinese for this, though I guess some of the quacks and charlatans who prey upon the gullible probably think it sounds more believable if they claim it was used by the ancient Chinese. Though I don't understand why people seem to think there are no quacks in China, and no absurd folk medicine. China is no different than anywhere else in that regard, but so many seem to think if it is Chinese it must be true.

[lmollot]

sounds like my catholic teachers- pseudo science

[InuitInua]

When you mentioned the fads, that is what I was thinking as I watched this, that she had gotten her psuedo science magazine that month and wanted to test/apply those therapies on her "subjects."

Then when you mentioned her bringing up DID, I thought, "Oh, looks like she watched Sybil for the first time."

It is sickening that you had to go through that for so long.

[maradashewolf]

I think you should try to find her other patients (victims) and organize a joint lawsuit with them.

This woman is one sick bitch; what she did to you and to others is not only unethical, it's criminal, it's fraudulent, and she should serve time.

[ech0dancer]

@maradashewolf double ditto OR the petion site.I recall things there on this same topic. And recently I go to google news & find so MANY medical frauds cropping up MILLIONS & MILLIONS of dollars.From the therapist to the judges & lawyers every1's ripping ppl & the Ins Cos off in 1 way or the other involving "mental" patients & disabled. She DID steal your life! U R right on!But I dont know how u can feel "taught" by her she put it in your head-u gained the info but she PUSHED it in there!

[flashofpink]

Your story is very compelling, thank you for sharing it. I really hope you're successful in getting her license revoked.

[777bal]

Your story and experience is very important.There are therapists and psychiatrists that have to muck power.My hope is that you will continue to stand strong with others out here who want to make people more informed and healthy.One point I would disagree with you is that done carefully and consistantly Hypnotherapy can help with certain things like anxiety,pain,and irritable bowel syndrome,as well as stopping smoking,As far as Theophostic therapy,need more science.thanks.

[tonysc71]

Excellent video series. Once I started watching it, I watched it right through. I feel for what you have gone through and am wishing you success in your endeavour to have her licence removed.

Good luck and thanks for sharing your story.

BTW, I have subscribed :)

[DanThePropMan]

Good on ya, PF. I subscribed because I, too, want to hear updates on how your legal action against this "therapist" proceeds.

[fireincarnation2]

Have you contacted the state licensing board, and the better business bureau?

[synsei1]

SGU FTW !

Did they watch your video serie and mention it on the show, because it diserves to be. Did they give you feedback ?

[TrionfiTarot]

"What the Bleep" has been rightly criticized for its misuse of quantum physics.

[TrionfiTarot]

I'm curious. Have you read "Crazy Therapies" by Margret Singer?

[TrionfiTarot]

This series belongs on the James Randi Educational Foundation forums. If you're not already discussed there, I'll will post it. I will also bring this to the attention of the Quackwatch website as well.

[FramblyNeji]

Thanks for sharing!

[rizo299]

I'm glad I watched this, and I hope you can manage to stop that "therapist" from putting anyone else through the same thing. A friend of mine loves that "what the bleep" movie. He made me watch some of the interviews in it, particularly one about how apparently people can will a random number generator to output more 1's that 0's. I tried to explain confirmation bias to him and that probability just doesn't work like that. He wouldn't have it. He does smoke a lot of pot though....

[awesomeastrid]

Thank you 4 telling ur story if she collected 3rd party payments co pays ur Moms insurence then she can be sued ! Get YOUR FILES before she knows ya wanna revoke her license You have a right to your files so sorry this happened Brave of you have seen go on .I talk aboug ppl adjusting their relaities in my videosthis never happened to me but Ive seen it Good luck with your DadPeace Blessings

[CorneliusSneedley]

Pandy, obviously you are too smart to have gone down the pseudoscience road and not come back. However, as you said, you first needed to learn how to think. No matter what we see in movies and TV, and no matter how smart a kid is, kids still need to be taught how to think, and how to reason.

Psychotherapy is by definition not a science, because it doesn't give repeatable results. And, a psychotherapist who "cures" a patient loses a customer. Not to say they are ALL bad, but many are.

[mfunke]

@CorneliusSneedley

They are not all bad people but they do harm regardless. So they are my definition of bad.

[darklordrandy]

Thank you so much for posting this! It reminds me of a video that was shown in a psychology course a while back with a similar story of a woman who had false memories implanted such as really outlandish shit like that she was raised in a satanic cult that ritually abused her and that she had 27 personalities. Crazy stuff that really caused me to think critically. I hope that this has a similar effect on others. You're a brave woman.

[margaretschlegel]

I hope you post with updates on your lawsuit/complaint and whether her license gets revoked. I wish you all the best!

Thanks for sharing your story. I have a crazy psychotherapy story too, and because of your series I may do one of my own.

You are obviously very bright with a healthy mind. Rock on!

[PandyFackleresque]

@margaretschlegel You should! Thank you for all of your comments, as well. I've learned a lot from my experience and you're right, everyone should have a defined goal before going into therapy.

[alexkidd3d]

I sent a message to the SGU through the 'contact' section of their site. :) I recommend everyone do the same.

[alexkidd3d]

Wow, seems I kind of predicted the flow of your story after my comment on video 1. Just wanted to say thank you for sharing. That's some very personal stuff and it can't be easy but i think it's a message of huge importance. I've only read of similar stories in the literature and to see you talk of your personal experience is something i appreciate greatly. I recommend you put this up on the sgu forum if you havn't already :) i'd love to see it mentioned on the show

[AislinCade]

I'd be interested to know how your dad reacts (reacted? Have you told him yet?) to all this.

[PandyFackleresque]

@AislinCade I did. He cried, I cried, and everything's out in the open. I think we both feel a lot better for it

[warmics]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[giliellthesecond]

I'm sorry that you had to go through this. Good luck with revoking her license. I wished parents would stop thinking that there was something wrong with their kids that needed fixing because they turned from a little angel darling into a nasty teen

[Joerexia]

James Randi and the SGU rescue another burgeoning mind from the rot of psuedoscience.

[UnhappyTestTubeBaby]

Thank-you for sharing your story. I wish you well in your efforts to get that therapist's license revoked.

Unfortunately, I think there is only one protection against the kind of manipulation you went through, only one weapon to stave off the foggy realm of false affirmation and confused hopes - critical thinking. I think this video series and others like will do more good than any legal action ever could. You should be proud of yourself, both for coming as far as you have and for telling of it

[darthrevan6]

That was one of the best series of videos on youtube I've ever seen. Thanks for sharing your story.

[ackthet]

Please sue the shit out of her. Not only should she lose her license (how did she even get one???), but she probably owes you for damages done. I don't support civil law suits, but this bitch needs to go.

[sulthus]

"What the bleep do we know" is a shitty pseudoscience movie I borrowed from a coworker, when I pointed out that it was pseudoscience, he got really pissed. At first its all about emotions and physics (which is strange) and it seems borderline "esp BS" but as you watch it, the movie becomes complete "esp BS."

It is not worth the waste of time.

[QuestingFaith]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[miniluvable]

Fantastic series!!! Thank you! Did you know that there is very little proof of psychotherapy? Even psychotherapy without the new age stuff is useless. In my teens I went to a freudian psychologist, and while he was nice guy, it was a just a waste of time and money.

[lilililililililiilii]

Thank you for sharing; you are very brave. I can see why you would be very angry. I wish you luck getting the therapist's license revoked, she has done monstrous things

[worldlystone]

Thanks for posting!

[Bobalithmiss1]

James Randi <3

[KasparHauser4]

Good Luck to you!

[Shalek]

What a story, I feel so surreal after hearing the whole thing. Good luck revoking her license.

[MichaelSJLH]

Glad to hear that you made it out of the crazy. You should feel proud. I was also glad to hear you mention James Randi. I think he has probably opened the door to critical thinking more than anybody else. He should have a statue somewhere.

[djben1977]

I'm going to pass your story on to the MH / AOD Board where I work. I feel so bad you had to go through this horrendous trauma. You are a strong woman. Thank you for sharing your story.

[disturbed119]

well what i would do is personally go and get those files, and then present them to a lawyer and explain your situation.

[SpookyFan]

Yeah, SGU is a great podcast.

[Phyre1928]

... kick that "therapists" ass in court... she shouldnt be there, she has no place in any psychoanalysis work

[gt6303c]

Your story is very sad. I wish you luck in getting her license revoked. I'm a fan of the skeptics guide as well, I think you should write into the show and ask Steve about the steps you can take.

[kurtilein3]

if you dont manage to accomplish it, just do what randi does and shoot down a few of the other quacks.

now you are willing to do something, and something odd like if the lady is no longer practising but selling cars or dead or whatever would totally stop you. but in the larger picture it doesnt really matter which of the people that use and promote pseudoscience to make money you go after, she does cause a lot of damage her way, but others do the same thing in their ways.

[TheHarperad]

Great one! You should beat her confront her about this if possible, hunt her and make sure she never harms anyone any more.

[jonygut]

Watched all 7 parts in 1 sitting. It is amazing what people can fill others heads with. I really do hope she gets her license revoked.

[DarthKripple]

Did you ever see a physician about these disorders? In most cases like these is they will try to get a CT scan of your brain for bi-polar diagnosis. They did that with my dad and my friend who had things that were described here. If you never are told to see a doctor in conjunction with this type of treatment it's probably not a place that is interested in helping you

[princeofexcess]

this can also help others realize that they have been scammed

[SubstancePrime]

I found your story to be funny, as well as a sad reminder of how easily bad ideas can prevail to the detriment of peoples lives. What's worse is to think about all the people who will probably never come to the same realization you did, and whose lives will continue to be ruined by bad ideas masquerading as legitimate science.

It's a travesty that critical thinking skills aren't taught at a much earlier age.

I wish you luck in your efforts to have her license revoked.

[phookadude]

You should look up "ritual satanic abuse" and "Facilitated communication" this has been going on for a long time. Be glad you were sane enough throuought that your father didn't end up in prison.

[phookadude]

What the bleep is absolute crap. Watched it with my freinds and we were laughing though the whole thing. The ice freezing thing is untrue too, the "researcher" picked ice crystals that he felt related to the word.

Congratulations on your victory over ignorance.

[squirreljester2]

I retract my original statement, I totally thought you were going to go down a different road, which was why I initially thought there would be some similarities with our stories.

Mine involvs ADHD (one of the few that actually have/had it), doctors testing new drugs on my "condition", psychologists and psychiatrists prescribing medication to me, etc.

I think you have an extremely valid cause for consearn, and I wish you well on your mission to get that lady's license revoked.

[TheAtheistSwede]

Wow... just... wow... horrific story. If well articulated hehe.

Hopefully that cow gets kicked out and barred from ever putting anyone through something like this again. Good grief.

Good to hear that your critical thinking got going. From what I've seen and heard here I'd say you possess a keen mind with a bright future. And I really hope you can re-connect with your father properly.

Btw, I love the little mustasche tattoo. That must have hurt like hell lol.

The very best of luck to you. =)

[ellocotheinsane]

Too much quackery in the world these days. I've seen these kinds of 'doctors' in almost all the aspects of medicine. From dermatology to psychiatry. I've seen real licensed psychiatrists use pendulums and aura-reading just for the fun of it but I've also seen and experienced properly trained medical staff do some serious healing. You caught the bad kind. And that kind needs to be either behind bars or doing something else for a living. If there is any way you can sue her then by all means do so.

[Disthron]

I hope you end up getting her licence revoked. This was posted fearly recently so I'm guessing it hasn't happened yet. Though I would try and get your patient files before you let her know that you are out to get her. Otherwise they might disappear.

Anyway, I'm not sure what else I can do other than wish you luck, unless you have some kind of donation thingy set up.

[blurglide]

Unfortunately, pseudoscience isn't illegal. Fortunatley, neither is free speech. The easiest thing to do would be to hand out pamphlets in front of her office to her customers, maybe explaining the basics of what is in this video. Hit her in her pocketbook.

Tip though- try to look as "normal" and conservative as you can when you do it. Take you your piercings & stuff.

[blurglide]

James Randi would be so proud he made a difference for you. You should write him a letter and maybe send him a link to this video. He's old and doesn't have many years left. You'd make an old man happy,

[lyvvie]

I wish you tons of luck in your quest to get her license revoked. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Sykotix1]

Excellent series.

Someone like that needs their license revoked. If you can contact any more of her patients, you may be able to organise a class-action lawsuit against her.

It'll be much easier to make a case against her with more people.

Also, what does your mum think about it now? Have you discussed it all with her?

[jokidder]

Best of luck.

I hope your battle is a source of power

and not a source of suffering.

[ezmereldagreen]

get the files and at least report er but you need legal advice, very soon as you have gone public. i dont know but its sounds like you could sue her ass off and you deserve compensation too. best of luck ;)

[artemisfair]

Thanks for this.

[Brianswers]

Wow, i'm glad you came to realise that this was all nonsense. I hope you can successfully stop her practicing.

I suggest you makea point of talking to your dad as soon as possible. Be careful though, I imagine he will be very mad at this woman. maybe he can help bring charges against her too.

[PandyFackleresque]

I will be talking to him soon. And yes, I'm hoping that he does. He's rather good with law.

[Brianswers]

That's good. So the past little while since you started to talk to him again you've ben on good terms? how about with your mother? Did you tell her about your change of heart?

[PandyFackleresque]

Yes, we've been on very good terms for the past few years. My mother knows about it but I don't think she knows about how severely it fucked me up.

[bryantulsa]

This is a very important series. Maybe the most important series of videos I've seen on Youtube since I've been back.

Best of luck with everything. I hope you're able to get this therapist's license revoked. I hope you'll keep us posted-- at least as much as advisable. I wouldn't want any info released on Youtube to hinder your case.

[thespeedingcookie]

You are such a brave and kind person for sharing your story like this, thank you so much! I'm certain this will help someone who has gone through/is going through something similar.

[Widgetas]

Just watched all bits back to back.

Rather powerful.

Much sympathy etc for having gone through it.

Good luck with your father, when you get to it.

Did you say you were going to report her, or have reported her?

[PandyFackleresque]

I'm trying to, yes

[MistressArte]

You should go to her right away to get those records then don't tell her why you're doing this go straight to a lawyer that knows a lot in malpractice. It might be that she was raped by her father so she projects that on other people as her only way to fix herself. That or she's a sadist.

[hadr0n]

Thanks for sharing your story. I hope it gives you some kind of catharsis.

In a perfect world I would suggest naming-and-shaming your therapist but CAM quacks are notoriously litigious.

[PandyFackleresque]

That's exactly why I didn't say her name :P

[leawardseif]

Very moving, and certainly worth an hour of my time :)

I guess things like this can happen when ideas can demand our respect whilst shouting down any rational criticism as offensive intolerance. If we were all slightly less fearful of upsetting believers then perhaps the authorities who represent us would be more willing to place reasonable restrictions on who can practice as a therapist.

[MichelaLee]

whoa.

[norabrice]

wow that was intense. o.0

[Swidhelm]

I hope you succeed, because that woman is dangerous . . . Cheers.

[panurge987]

loved the series! It takes guts to spill your guts like that. Good warning to others, also. Thank you!

[TheDeLoreanFlux]

That "what the bleep" crap is sooo dumb. It's claims are very similar to those of "the secret".

[cjeffers101]

yea I think you should write the story and make the movie, at times I thought it was unbelievable or made up it was so fantastical

[samsland22]

I think you can turn this story into a movie.

[Maxdwolf]

Scepticism and the scientific method FTW!

It is 180 by the way.

My lay understanding is that it is very hard to get a therapist's license revoked, even in clear cases like this. But I wish you the best. I don't have much, but if you start a fund and have a paypal button I'll throw in a few bucks.

[AimiriZ]

you could do a 360 and moon walk away

[AnneOnAMoose]

@Looperberg 8:09

[COAchilles]

The very first thing you need to do is get those files and have a second and third opinion from two different therapists to confirm that her diagnosis is indeed wrong. Otherwise that will be the first block in your way.

[LatumWay]

This is one of the best video series I've seen here on YouTube.

A truly fucked up yet fascinating story.

That all I can really say. Keep me posted.

[UndeadLight]

The water freezes the exact same way. Except you when you see the cracks next to the positive word say, "Aww look at the pretty patterns."

Now when you have the same ice with the negative word you think, "Ahh this is ugly. Look at the cracks in the ice." The words don't effect how the ice freezes...

Get the quakes out. Hell yeah, I hope you complete your goal. ^_^

[menareangrynow]

Sorry to hear what happened to you. :(

At least you turned out as awesome as you are now. :D

[Lovingdoubt]

I love this story, thank you for telling it. I wish I knew more about how to get her license revoked, but I don't. :(

But I do plan on making a response to these videos in a few days, so perhaps someone I make the video to will know if no one gives you advice before then.

[Lovingdoubt]

I am still going to make a response to u very soon... I have not forgotten. :) I've just been in the middle of shit storm central... My fault I suppose but none-the-less. Soon. :)

[PandyFackleresque]

No worries! I still look forward to it!

[shawnmcnair1]

u seem normal enough to me. i'll defend that shrink by saying. She upset u to realize u didnt need a shrink.

[Rithrandil]

::hug:: She should be in prison.

[INTERNETISREAL]

popov lol. pavlov. popov is meijer liquor!

[Anarchy4FR]

@INTERNETISREAL I'm pretty sure she was referring to Peter Popoff, the televangelist/faith healer.

[PandyFackleresque]

Very good ;)

[dannypantsgm]

I am really glad you shared the story. I watched every one and it was pretty fascinating. I wish I were in that line of work, I'd definitely help out. Get those files from her first, just don't tell her why. People in these kinds of positions get away with too much and society just lets them. I hope you are able to nail her ass. I really do.

[H34d5h0t000]

I hope you get the legal help you need. Whatever happens, don't feel bad for her when you destroy her career, lol. You will help, at least a few people from getting their lives ruined.

I wish I could do more. Ah well. Being part of the mass moral support is probably enough :)

And get those files.

[JustAnotherX]

I'm pretty sure that she thought she was doing the right thing.

Gah!

[Woolstenholme]

explode her

[dcj68]

When you ask for the files, she may have already learned they could be used against her.

I would first tell her I was seeing a great therapist in the same style as she is, possibly have a name ready.

Then go back saying they would like to see the progress she made with you.

If she suspects anything you will never get them.

[PandyFackleresque]

I don't think she can legally get rid of them before a certain number of years is up. And if she does, that would be extremely suspicious.

[CousinoMacul]

It's 180º :-)

It's good that you dumped her. Skepticism is really eye-opening. I agree with alowlyapprentice that you should get those files.

Thanks for the video series!

[skeletonmom]

The "What the Bleep" movie is horrendous. I watched it and researched if afterwards.

David Albert, a physicist featured inthe film, was pissed because his information was totally edited and taken out of context in the movie. Plus its really a vehicle for Ramtha's School of Enlightenment-just as wacky as Scientology. Basically a housewife (JZ Knight) who channels a alien being named "Ramtha". Definitely cult material. Not a bit of scientific proof.

[alowlyapprentice]

Get those files. NOW!

What the bleep, Arghhh! A much maligned movie. Pseudo science for the masses. The japanese water freezing experiment was debunked.

It can be hard to get a license revoked. Very difficult. Even with all the quackery. Get your files, and don't tell her what you are doing. Then report her.

[PandyFackleresque]

So can I just do that? I was afraid there'd be some sort of legal action around just getting my own files. Can I just walk into her office and ask her for them? Can I take them home? Do I have to give them back?

[alowlyapprentice]

Since she offered to give them to you I would start from there. There will def. be a question of them being in your hands for any length of time though. In addition she may be expecting to pass the files on to another therapist.

[hadr0n]

I'm not sure how it works in the U.S. but in the UK we are legally entitled to get ask for copies of any personal information an organisation keeps about us for a small fee.

I know the legislation isn't as strong in the US but their may still be some legal recourse available.

i suggest you have a look at:

privacyrightsDOTorg

Best of luck to you!