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from good for you Monday, April 25, 2005 - 10:24 (Agree/Disagree?) I believe our experiences can be set to good use, leaving TF can equip you with valuable lessons, experiances and points of view. It depends on your interest and the time you have free, but you can sign up for mediation-Parentline and childline are good choices and they train you themselves. Depending on the level of counselling you go into, certainly any psycology field, you need to have taken a certain amount of hrs of therepy yourself before you can practise. (reply to this comment)

from GoldenMic Thursday, April 21, 2005 - 09:41 (Agree/Disagree?) Well, I don't know if its a good idea, but its my story. I really don't know if there's a way to "plan" to have your occupation be a part of cult healing, but here are some thoughts: First, the counseling field is rampant with people who are obviously acting out their own insanity, and it truly seems to me that disturbed counselors are statistically WAY over-represented. I think that is largely because many people are drawn to the field because of an unconscious and un-acknowledged need to heal themselves. However, if one goes in to the field with their eyes open, aware of their own limitations, this should be the basis for increased empathy and a true desire to understand and effect healthy change. Meanwhile, I actually think that a self-aware cult survivor can be an excellent counselor for others while also doing themselves some good. As survivors of extreme trauma, these individuals could tend to be less shocked by their client's symptoms, and more certain of the innate inner strength of all people. Once again, that's assuming that the counselor is aware of, and taking responsibility for, their own special issues and needs. I think the John Bradshaw concept of many good counselors being "wounded healers" provides a conceptual basis for why this works well for both the counselor and the client. In truth, I feel like almost all of my clients have benefited from their work with me, and that I have greatly benefited from the healing aspects of my work with them. Frankly, I worry about ANY counselor who doesn't realize how their own wounding is a part of what drew them to the field. So, if you are considering the idea for yourself, I suggest you could make it work powerfully for your and your clients, so long as you honestly recognize your own damage and attend to your own needs while using your added perspective to enhance your clients' experience. (reply to this comment)

From grendel Monday, April 25, 2005, 06:07 (Agree/Disagree?) I think that was quite an interesting and helpful comment, GoldenMike. I would have to say that the only thing that would attract me to it would be if it could be used as part of the process of "cult healing". However, one thing that concerns me is the effect that counselling other people might have considering how prone ex-members seem to be to depression. I'm not sure whether it is healthy to put yourself into a position where you have to confront traumatic stories after everything that we have been through so I guess I am still in two minds about it. (reply to this comment)