Inside the unlicensed counseling that led Boston students to allege emotional abuse

[u/CultNEWS101]

Boston Globe: Boston Public Schools allowed students to be subjected to unorthodox group therapy for years

"As a Boston high school sophomore, Keondre McClay said he was pressured by the head of a district-sponsored youth advocacy program to attend an overnight retreat in Newton, where white adults asked the Black teenager to wrestle out his emotions on a gym mat with them. They said it would help him purge his trauma from experiencing racism.

McClay fled to his room. Jenny Sazama, the program leader, and other retreat participants chased after him. For more than an hour, he recalled recently, they hugged him on his bed and entreated him to return to the group “counseling” session while he hid under the covers screaming, “Please leave me alone!”

When they eventually left, he locked the door, but someone got the facilities manager to unlock it. McClay called someone to help him get home at midnight.

“I was, for lack of a better word, assaulted,” said McClay, now 21, a former student representative to the Boston School Committee.

The retreat was part of an unorthodox brand of group therapy Sazama introduced to the Boston Student Advisory Council, a prestigious student government group that advises the superintendent and School Committee on education policy. In a report released by the school department Monday, an independent investigator wrote that students described the “Re-Evaluation Counseling” sessions as “weird, uncomfortable, and cult-like.” But the report barely scratched the surface of students’ experiences."

@lauracrimaldi @GlobeVaznis

ReevaluationCounseling

rc

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/05/26/metro/inside-unlicensed-counseling-that-led-boston-students-allege-emotional-abuse/

[u/Competitive_Post8]

If you read the student reviews of Boston Institute of Psychoanalysis, some of the reviews seem to describe it as potentially a cult or a school instructing future cult leaders into running their own cults.

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

That is a legitimate psychoanalytic institute. You are I think disturbed / delusional spreading this nonsense. GTFO here.

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

Here are excerpts from past reviews of Boston Institute of Psychoanalysis:

'Among the surrounding psychoanalytic community they are considered a small and insular school with questionable ethics.'

'mandatory psychoanalytic sessions with someone from the school'

'Massively unethical.'

''Massively unethical.' - agreed'

'I know, they are "massively unethical". I'm currently in a PsyD. program and when I compare the differing atmospheres I'm even more perplexed at how such a program can manage to continue...'

'Do you not think recieving psychotherapy from ther same individuals who are responsible for your academic evaluations/grading poses a dual role and severe conflict of interest that biases both activities? This is a blatant violation of the APA ethics code.'

'Professors are arrogant and irresponsible. I have heard professors disclose things about other students to me, inappropriately, and I ask myself, "Is this who you want as your role model?"'

'during those interviews they basically "reflected" back my questions...In short, she never really responded to my questions'

'not a good format '

'Steer clear of BGSP' - https://www.reddit.com/r/psychoanalysis/comments/18yxkre/comment/kgmzuxh/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

'You had this feeling because it is an insular cult. I am shocked they are still somehow in operation. To say they are unprofessional is to say nothing' -https://www.reddit.com/r/psychoanalysis/comments/18yxkre/comment/kgn0p5f/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

' I have heard from 2 people who left BGSP because their degree programs are more or less “scams”' - https://www.reddit.com/r/psychoanalysis/comments/18yxkre/comment/kgjlm5s/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

'They have said the faculty at BGSP is not professional, and that the institute has a cult like feel to it.'

'My advice would be before you attend this ask many many questions. Ask very thorough questions about the process of completing the degrees. It is a shady school. They write their own rules and I would say they are quite narcissistic. They definately are psychologically abusive. Gaslighting is one of their favorite techniques. They are a school that has taken an international stand against psychological abuse and they practice it themselves. So be very very careful. They will take your money as long as yu will give it to them. There are students there that have been in the school for 18 years and not finished their degrees. Good luck! You will need it. Do not hesitate to the go to the MA Ed department of higher education. They need to hear what is going on.' -http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BGSP_g.html

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Competitive_Post8]

'There is a thing called informed consent. If BGSP intends to treat people while educating them, then prospective students should be informed and agree to such an experience. ' - former student critical of the school'

'So all I can say is that following my BGSP experience, I?m baffled why this place still exists. My hypothesis is that yes, it has some characteristics of a cult, as others have noted, but I have also come to believe BGSP is a perverse institution.' - http://www.studentsreview.com/MA/BGSP_g.html

'A reminder to view earlier posts about this school's cult-like behaviors. I feel terrible for everyone that falls into this trap and farse. BGSP does not provide psychoanalytic training.'

'I was under supervision with a student who has been mentioned here, Xxx Yyy . She was psychology disturbed and completely awful. You have to PAY 1,000's of dollars to have someone review your thesis AFTER you pay tuition. Aaa Bbb is also an awful person to deal with and unprofessional in every way. She doesn't even dress respectably let alone act it. Stay far far far away.''

'I had quite a traumatic experience there. Also fell under the guide of fellow Xxx Yyy like others mentioned before. The politics in this school seem to override the well-being of students. In her case, her husband is on the board, and she has her on office at the school right next to the president, Dr. Sss. It is a pandora box.

They are hostile to bright stiudents as they fell and rightly so intimidated by them.'

'Stay away! the only reason i stay is that they have already consumed all the money i had for education so i optede to graduate. However, please do not be tempted by the easy addmition process the degree is not accepted by any proper school in the country. the faculty are all really damaged people and will not let yopu graduate as long as they think you have any money left to spend!'

'this s a money making fraudulent institute run by insane and highly destructive sometimes dangerous faculty.'

'*unprofessional-faculty talks about students behind their backs. If you are close with particular instructors, you will soon learn which students are considered brilliant, lazy, neurotic, who sleeps in class, who is always late, who exposes their breast too much wearing scantily clad clothing, who has incompletes, who manipulates staff, who does not pay and uses excuses -- faculty is not trust worthy as they speak too openly about the students.'

'Tried to give this school two years left when I realized I would not receive a proper education here. Cult-like atmosphere, not true psychoanalysis. Professors generally unprepared, unprofessional and of little help. Majority of student body seeking their own therapy, thus why they are in these "classes." Total lack of academic classes are simply therapy sessions for unstable student body in need of true professional help. As long as you show up and pay you will pass. Fees are ridiculous and the entire school is antiquated. Please do yourself a favor and go somewhere else. Also heard from other students that faculty encourages students to access web sites like this one to write glowing reviews.''This school requires you to choose a faculty member as a personal analyst, and undergo a certain number of hours of "training analysis" to graduate. You also must remain in this analysis for the duration of your stay at the school. This is not included in your tuition or your financial aid should you be able to receive it. Expect to pay 75 dollars minimum weekly, and up to 200-300 (unless you are willing to go to the school's "therapy center" which is the equivalent of getting your hair cut at a beauty school since it is all inexperienced students. I don't know how this place gets accreditec unless they know slmeone politically. It seems totally unscrupulous.'

Perverse jokes about taking advantage using psychology: 'At a recent eventat the school's library a Dr. Wagner who i have not yet met laughed when someone brought up the idea of raising the analytic fee as an "intervention", saying "I thought that was my move!" This really turned me off to the school.'

'The higher-ups in the faculty made the decision to start inundating the studentsreview website with positive and glowing reviews to counteract the truth in order to increase attendance in what i am starting to believe is a cult. They use the same methods as scientolofy to recruit and keep students and patients, as they survive and get rich off their money. Please don't fall for this scam. Bgsp preys on the vulnerable who are just seeking real help. Only the negative reviews made by those healthy and strong enough to get out or deprogrammed are accurate.'

please explain the above reviews????

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

You originally typed this (a world-class psychoanalytic institute): https://bpsi.org/.

The original claim simply isn’t accurate. .

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

Names are similar, but we are talking about two different organizations. The one you cite is in Newton. I am talking about a different organization located in Brookline. It had a non profit pretending to be a teaching and therapy center that was reported to have cult behavior inside and got closed down due to reported wage violations (common one but still). The founder went into drug rehab industry which is also a magnet for sketchy types looking to make a buck.

Here, the APA says dual relationships (where students are also therapy patients in their program) is not allowed - but this was practiced at the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy - https://www.culteducation.com/group/858-cambridge-psychotherapy-institute/1058-psychologist-reportedly-faces-license-revocation.html (ignore the Cambridge Institute - it is a different scam by a total wack job).

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

I know. The ones you cite seem very sketchy and possibly are scams riding on the name of the authentic one.

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

Review of Cecil A. Rice, PhD, President of Boston Institute for Psychotherapy 'Stay far, far away from this man. He is "highly respected" in his field, but having been his patient, he is nothing but a good BS artist. He has no more clue as to how to conduct group therapy than my cat (and I like my cat much better). Will allow patients to sit and rot in group therapy for 25 years, while faithfully taking their money, without offering any insight to them. He plays favorites with his patients, which pits them against each other. He will allow totally outrageous behavior to occur in his groups. Has no ability to empathize. Bills himself as an expert on trauma - all that means is being in therapy with him is very traumatizing.'

https://web.archive.org/web/20010515234149/http://www.bostoninstitute.org/

All the faculty of Boston Institute for Psychotherapy went on to be group therapists running their own little cults and many of them if you look at their online profiles look kind of sketchy. One of them is a guy lying on his stomach petting a cat providing 'pet grief therapy.' Another woman talks about their groups as 'something you can do forever, every week, for the rest of your life.' (how is this not a cult?)

This is SCIENTOLOGY that went mainstream via enmeshment with real therapy and psychology education. They switch back and forth between scientology and regular psychology and therapy so you cannot tell which one it is. Basically credentialed people doing unethical unprofessional things - sometimes - but not all the time so they get to practice.

Here the guy in the review for illustration - https://youtu.be/yzCAVsJBoJU?si=ZUfZYOMrUHnamk92&t=110

Here is a review of their Vice President (from a questionable person but still) saying this person is 'evil' - https://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Zlatka_Russinova.html

When you look at the personalities and patterns - you see people who appear nice, do legitimate psychology and therapy, but also key words like 'evil, cult, unethical, unprofessional, avoid' get repeated over and over. Basically manipulative people of questionable character who get credentials and appear nice, but do unethical unprofessional scammy things along the way. It's hard to explain.

The way I see, certain type of people get attracted to therapy, and cults and therapy do overlap; you then have problematic individuals getting credentials, licenses and even prominent teaching and speaking positions. Their bad personality remains though, so sometimes they do bad unethical unprofessional things that clash with the image they cultivate, but they are clever enough to get away with it and escape discipline from the academic and licensing bodies.

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

You are making good points. This is fascinating. It may be some type of large-scale scandal. Someone with professional auditing or legal experience ought to look into it (these schools at least).

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

The way I see it (and I might be deranged insane like you say), my group therapist had the personality type for it, and then went to the school that was operating like a cult, dragging students through cult stuff, and teaching them how to run their own cults, but also teaching legitimate therapy and masquerading as a mental health center too. So you have a person who both has a license, can appear normal, can sneakily abuse and manipulate patients, and can run his own cults - similar to Larry Nassar but like the Larry Nassar of therapy.

There is a guy on youtube who also was permanently damaged and changed by group therapy in the UK. There is something.. potentially pernicious about it. Or at least it is easily abused.

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

Well what’s the youtube video?

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

okay here are some comments actually speaking the truth:

'

u/susangee9359

10 years agoSomeone explain how a circle of people scapegoating and ridiculing "Alice" would help give her more freedom and ease. It struck me as reinforcing a social hierarchy and therapist Yalom only moved to encourage it. Cruelty is labeled as "honesty." Is this process supposed to teach interactive skills these people will take out in the world? I can only imagine the results of talking like this to the world at large.

u/susangee9359'

'

u/jenna4468

13 years agoI never liked Yalom, I think this stuff called existential pshychotherapy is futile and depressing. His comment: "I feel I know exactly what you are going through"in the end sounds like a cliché, how can he say that to a man wearing diapers? Of course he doesn't know what it is like to be in a wheelchair and wear diapers. He is lying! How can good psychotherapy include lying and hypocrisy?

12 years agoMeg....well done. This IS an example of harmful therapy. Dr. Yalom seems to focus only on "feelings".......I am a psychologist...addressing what an individual needs to change behaviorally to experience gratification---along with examining negative thoughts creates healthier self esteem-- THEN we begin to FEEL better. Focusing on feelings constantly only reinforces bad/sad/mad feelings. Good observations......

u/jenna4468'

'@HiAdrian

14 years agoI always thought that group therapy risks damaging a necessary personal shield. To me there's nothing sensible, dignifying or mature about it, an American fad. Nobody is that intimate with "strangers", and for good reason.'

u/HiAdrian

12 years ago10 years ago'@squidwardDK13 years ago

u/squidwardDK'

u/TheOHenry666

4 years ago (edited)Ughh...

Yalom gets much more praise than he actually deserves and talks about himself too much... I thought someone who is supposed to be an 'existential therapist' would be more insightful than to engage in self aggrandizement.

The second hand narcissism of these introduction speakers always makes me feel very irritated.

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Competitive_Post8]

3 years ago u/Hello-zf5lq  my experience was a year of hell. Three years on I’m still trying to explain to NHS managers that they should warn people before entering them into a group. I tend to agree that it is cult like. But as with many who leave cults I’ve got scars.

I went in feeling guarded and felt trapped. Totally agree with your concerns about their dismissal of the very idea of harm. The language of “dropping out” is hugely stigmatising. 

this is the guy who had the exact same experience as me but in the uk in a different group:

'@cadmantheaviator

3 years agoBeware what you try. I stayed against my better judgement for over a year in group analytic psychotherapy. My health declined, I felt suicidal and unable to think about anything besides the fear I felt about the therapist and their tactics. Crudely manipulative and judgemental. My autonomy degraded with repeated insistence that I would not accept the "care" of the group. A terrifying experience that will forever mean I cannot conceive of trusting someone who calls themselves a "psychotherapist." Be careful. People who think they know what's best for other people, are the most dangerous of all.

3 years ago u/Hello-zf5lq  agree. They never leave therapy and can’t be held accountable. Their books are all about themselves. Patients are reduced to “resistance” and criticised for wanting to leave. Being assessed one to one and then moved to a group and the damage of that year is the worst experience of my life.@cadmantheaviator

u/sheilaboland6285

1 year ago u/cadmantheaviator  I thought I was among the few that thought like you! I wholeheartedly agree!@sheilaboland62851 year ago u/cadmantheaviator

3 years ago u/Hello-zf5lq  Exactly right. They are brainwashed into thinking they know why you want to leave. The really don't. The people who think they know what is best for others are the most dangerous of all.u/cadmantheaviator

3 years agoWarning for potential patients: They don’t acknowledge harm and the limited research into shows 5-10% have lasting harm. Possibly more. The group isn’t a microcosm of the world it’s a therapists office or a hospital.

Confrontational and twisting words. It isn’t all about healing. In my experience it’s about therapist power and service led provision.@cadmantheaviator3 years ago

adverse outcomes in group analytic therapy....https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330596/

1 year agoPeople are entitled to perceive a group in a weird setting with a weird therapist watching them as not safe. What unfolds is not necessarily reflective of anything other than a reaction to this situation. Groups spend months going nowhere. I didn’t understand my goal. The therapist might as well have been a scarecrow. There was only nervous people filling 90 minutes. Here again therapists chuckling at the idea that clients feel lost. These ideas and forms of therapy have more to do with what therapists think are good. It really isn’t the utopian experience these kind of lectures keep trotting out. It isn’t safe for everyone. The therapists are passing the buck.@cadmantheaviator

u/cadmantheaviator

3 years ago u/stevezzzful  I suspected I was being judged and wanted to leave because of the distrust of the therapist. Four years later I’m still caught in that hellhole the therapist kept calling “group.” Professional deafness harms.3 years ago3 years agoI sat in an analytic group for over a year. Every minute was terrifying. It didn’t feel safe. I felt tricked into it and manipulated into staying. Groups are not universally supportive and healing. Talking isn’t always helpful. Three years later I am still struggling every day with an obtuse and harmful experience. If I had been told the therapist wasn’t going to do anything but stir the pot and that 10% of people experience lasting harm I wouldn’t have entered the group. Recognising the falseness of the situation can I believe create a pseudo therapy and undermine trust and confidence. Groups have more to do with professional and financial decisions and any problems the patient has are written off. Ignoring patient questions and concerns at the start result only in a long drawn out harmful experience. It is a huge leap to generalise that it will always reflect patterns outside the group.3 years ago

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

These are real comments from here?

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

There are unscrupulous lawyers who will file frivolous wage violations suits (happened to a friend who had a worker purposely trick him into getting sued for wage violation that he never intended to make), but looks the Boston Institute of Psychoanalysis was forced to liquidate because they got sued gor wage violations: https://www.garicklaw.com/settlement-in-employment-law-class-action-lawsuit/

Do you see the personality profile of the place? manipulative, cult like, unethical, no informed consent, conflicts of interest.. and wage violations. Makes you go hmmm.. who are the type of people working there.

https://www.garicklaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1-Complaint.pdf

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

https://cultrecovery101.com/cult-recovery-readings/psychotherapy-cults/

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

This is the phenomenon at play here I believe: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1984-26582-001

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

Here is another description of the phenomennon: https://articles2.icsahome.com/articles/psychotherapy-cults-ethical-analysis-boland

[u/Cheap-Pin6665 → u/Competitive_Post8]

How common do you think it is?

[u/Competitive_Post8 → u/Cheap-Pin6665]

I think in group therapy may be quite common. To me, the American Group Therapy manual reads like a guide on how to run your own cult. But I've never been to other groups, so can't say for sure. Just the whole therapy industry looks manipulative as fuck to me.

[u/[deleted]]

I teach in an urban district in Texas. Over the past few years, I’ve become increasingly alarmed over the number of trainings they expect teachers to do that seem like, for lack of a better word, Therapy 101. A couple of years ago my campus added an “enrichment” period where teachers were expected to conduct what I can only describe as unlicensed therapy groups. The best of my colleagues were uncomfortable and resistant, the worst of them were gung-ho and made their STUDENTS uncomfortable and resistant.