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MENU:
Theophostic©
Counseling:
Sponsored link.
Conflicting Quotations:
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"I doubt [that] it [repressed / recovered memory therapy] will
die out completely. Once an idea enters the cultural mainstream, it has
a way of resurfacing like a bloated corpse every few years." Mark Pendergrast,
reporter. 1,2 |
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"If you think you were abused, and your life shows the symptoms,
then you were." Ellen Bass & Laura Davis, feminist RMT therapists and
authors. 3 |
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"Avoid being tentative about your repressed memories. Do not just tell them;
express them as truth. If months or years down the road, you find you are mistaken about
details, you can always apologize and set the record straight. You cannot wait until you
are doubt-free to disclose to your family. This may never happen." Renee Fredrickson,
RMT author. 4 |
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"The Advanced Training in using TP [Theophostic Counseling] with
Satanic Ritual Abuse...will be held...at Alathia Equipping Center, near
Campbellsville, KY. Must have completed the Basic and Advance levels of
training prior to attendance. The cost will be $895.00 per person."
5 |
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"...we conclude that TheoPhostic counseling came out of the evil
cauldron of the perverted wisdom of men rather than from the mind of God."
Martin and Deidre Bobgan, 6,7 |
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"Even though Smith claims TheoPhostic counseling
was the result of direct, divine revelation from God, we will
demonstrate that TheoPhostic is more likely a Smith-contrived, eclectic
therapy that came from his 'over twenty year' practice as a
psychotherapist using 'every available method of therapy'." Martin and
Deidre Bobgan. 7 |
Overview:
Theophostic© Counseling (a.k.a. TPM, TheoPhostic Counseling, Theophostic Ministry)
appears to be largely based upon Recovered Memory Therapy (RMT), to which beliefs have been added about:
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Indwelling demonic spirits, |
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The role of Satan in people's emotional problems, |
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Direct communication by the client with Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit, and
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Unique concepts about the inner workings of the mind. |
TPM contrasts strongly with mainline mental health therapy. Secular therapists abandoned
the possibility of possession by demonic spirits many generations ago.
Theophostic© Counseling
appears to be a rapidly growing therapeutic technique within counseling services
at many conservative Protestant churches. One source indicates that 38,000
Theophostic training tapes have been sold at about $165.00 each. Training
seminars cost about $800 per attendee.
Our assessment:
If TPM is safe and effective, then it is a powerful force for good. If TPM is
unsafe and ineffective, it is a powerful force for evil.
TPM appears to have many factors in common with Recovered
Memory Therapy (RMT) which was quite popular during the 1980s and early
1990s. Through guided imagery, visualization, hypnosis and/or the occasional
administration of "truth drugs," RMT generated "memories" of horrendously
abusive events in many clients. RMT collapsed as a therapeutic technique when it
was discovered that the recovered "memories" were almost never related to real
events. Many tens of thousands of families were disrupted by the therapy. RMT
destroyed many clients' lives -- sometimes literally through suicide.
We urge extreme caution to anyone considering undergoing TPM until its safety and efficacy have
been independently studied with results published in peer-reviewed journals. To
our knowledge this has yet
to happen.
Topics covered in this section:
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Introduction:
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About TPM; |
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This web site's policy on unproven therapeutic techniques; |
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Potential dangers of TPM
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Information about memories:
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About Recovered Memory Therapy: the core of TPM |
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Types of memories
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Details of TPM:
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What is involved in TPM counseling |
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Reactions of other conservative Christians to TPM |
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Two congregations' experience with PTM |
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A conflict within TPM
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Resources about TPM:
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Internet sites and books |
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Sponsored link:
References:
- Mark Pendergrast, "The
bloated corpse," False Memory Syndrome Newsletter, Volume 11, #3,
2002-MAY/JUN, Pages 3 & 4.
- Mark Pendergrast & Melody
Gavigan, "Victims of Memory, Sex Abuse Accusations and Shattered
Lives," Upper Access, (1996).
Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store.
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From the first edition of "The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual
Abuse", Harper Collins, (1992). P. 22"
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Renee Fredrickson, "Repressed Memories: A journey to recovery from
sexual abuse", (1992), Page 203.
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Taken from "Theophostic Office" news release, 2002-FEB-28.
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Quoted in: Martin and Deidre Bobgan, "Theophostic Counseling:
Divine Revelation or Psycho Heresy?" Eastgate Publishers,
(1999). Read
reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store
-
Bobgans' book is online at:
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/ This is a PDF file. You may need software to read these files. It can be obtained free from:
 Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com
online book store
Copyright © 2002 to 2006 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally written: 2002-MAY-19
Latest update: 2006-NOV-23
Author: B.A. Robinson 
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