Quote:
Originally Posted by Salmon77
It seems to me that cults are very often based not around a one-to-one, leader-to-follower dynamic but really much more around a group dynamic. That is, the new recruit is brought not just to a leader (sometimes a new recruit may not meet the leader at all) but into a whole community of followers. That community is important because there is social enforcement of certain norms and ideas, and social discouragement of others. Breaking those rules means not only the disapproval of one person, but the disapproval of the whole community (which replaces previous family, friends, etc.). Leaving the cult becomes so difficult because there is nowhere else to go. So I think in cults, the cult leader is obviously very important, but the group as a whole is a very important part of how the cult functions and maintains itself, too.
There is no community that will throw me out if I quit individual therapy; there is no social penalty at all. I'd be breaking with my T only. Even if I were my T's "follower" (and as I've said, I don't think I am), I'd have no contact with his other "followers" and they could not influence me in any way. Therapy does not replace or break my prior social connections, nor does it control how and with whom I make new ones. So in this respect, I think that therapy is not intrinsically cult-like.
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I agree with this. I read the book "The Guru Papers" (the book that is cited as a basis for the discussion) and it refers to a situation as described here, mostly involving spiritual and religious groups, but also AA as well. The book is quite radical. A cult is usually a group dynamic, with a leader (hence "guru") who is thought to have special powers or is enlightened.
There is definitely a need to discuss the dynamics of therapy that sometimes can make it unhealthy (one reason I am shying away from it at present) but I am not certain this model fits.
I read on another thread the reasons someone's therapist gave for "firing" a patient/client. This is odd. A therapist might opt to discontinue therapy, but is never in the position of firing anyone. He is a hired professional and a patient or client can "fire" him (although I really don't like this term) by terminating therapy. Although one therapist tried to intimidate me when I decided to end therapy with him, it was perfectly doable, and I successfully terminated therapy with him and all his services i.e. prescribing meds. I don't think using the "cult" model does anything to inform and empower clients/patients about their rights in therapy. A therapist can be reported to certifying boards or the hospital/institution with which he is affiliated, and if need be, legal action can be taken. In a cult there are no such safeguards.