Cultic Studies Journal, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1991, Page 40
Discussion and Recommendations
Certain measures may prevent the development of a cult-like atmosphere within the
residential treatment center. These include:
1. Encourage directors and other appropriate professional staff to take vacations and
include a provision for sabbaticals. During these interim periods, associates should be
given administrative responsibility. This may inhibit the growth of a cult of personality.
2. Form an active advisory board independent of the actual agency administration.
3. Foster an atmosphere in which staff are encouraged to seek outside training.
4. Foster an atmosphere in which staff are encouraged to examine and deal with the
profound emotional drain that comes from constantly responding to the demands of
residents.
5. Relate to organizations such as the American Association of Children‟s Residential
Centers, the American Society of Adolescent Psychiatry, and so on. These organizations
should also foster the development of consultation services with ombudsmen available
to residents and staff.
The residential treatment center is an enterprise whose task is to reach the previously
unreachable. This article discusses the climate that fosters abuses. It must be recognized,
however, that despite occasional and notorious abuses, the remarkable reality is that they
occur infrequently.
References
Baldacchi, L. (September 16, 1990). Bettleheim: Beauty or beast? Chicago Sun-Times, p.
5, cited in CAN News, 1990, 6 (10), p. 3.
Halperin, D.A. (1983a). Introduction. In D.A. Halperin (Ed.), Psychodynamic perspectives
on religion, sect and cult (pp. XVII-XXII). Boston: John Wright, PSG Inc.
Halperin, D.A. (1983b). Group processes in cult recruitment and affiliation. In D.A. Halperin
(Ed.), Psychodynamic perspectives on religion, sect and cult (pp. 223-234). Boston:
John Wright, PSG Inc.
Halperin, D.A. (1986). Termination: Its therapeutic and legal dimensions in the long-term
residential treatment center. Residential Group Care and Treatment, 3 (3), 3-17.
Halperin, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric perspectives on cult affiliation. Psychiatric Annals, 20,
204-219.
Hochman, J. (1984). Iatrogenic symptoms associated with a therapy cult: Examination of
an extinct “new psychotherapy” with respect to psychiatric deterioration and
“brainwashing.” Psychiatry, 47, 366-377.
Kernberg, O. (1973). Psychoanalytic object theories, relations theory, group processes, and
administration: Toward an integrated theory of hospital treatment. Annals of
Psychoanalysis, 1, 363-388.
Kriegman, D., &Solomon, L. (1985). Cult groups and the narcissistic personality.
International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 35, 135-160.
Lewin, T. (June 3, 1988). Custody case lifts veil on a “psychotherapy cult.” The New York
Times, B1-B2.
Lifton, R.J. (1961). Thought reform and the psychology of totalism. New York: Norton.
Lothane, Z. (1978). Reflections on Ray Shafer. Colloquium, 1, 12-15.
Markowitz, A. (1983). The role of family therapy. In D.A. Halperin (Ed.), Psychodynamic
perspectives on religion, sect and cult (pp. 323-333). Boston: John Wright, PSG Inc.
Ofshe, R. (1980). The social development of the Synanon cult: The managerial strategy of
organizational transformation. Sociological Analysis, 41 (2), 109-127.
Streiker, L. (1984). Mind bending: Brainwashing, cults, and deprogramming the 80s. New
York: Doubleday and Company.
Discussion and Recommendations
Certain measures may prevent the development of a cult-like atmosphere within the
residential treatment center. These include:
1. Encourage directors and other appropriate professional staff to take vacations and
include a provision for sabbaticals. During these interim periods, associates should be
given administrative responsibility. This may inhibit the growth of a cult of personality.
2. Form an active advisory board independent of the actual agency administration.
3. Foster an atmosphere in which staff are encouraged to seek outside training.
4. Foster an atmosphere in which staff are encouraged to examine and deal with the
profound emotional drain that comes from constantly responding to the demands of
residents.
5. Relate to organizations such as the American Association of Children‟s Residential
Centers, the American Society of Adolescent Psychiatry, and so on. These organizations
should also foster the development of consultation services with ombudsmen available
to residents and staff.
The residential treatment center is an enterprise whose task is to reach the previously
unreachable. This article discusses the climate that fosters abuses. It must be recognized,
however, that despite occasional and notorious abuses, the remarkable reality is that they
occur infrequently.
References
Baldacchi, L. (September 16, 1990). Bettleheim: Beauty or beast? Chicago Sun-Times, p.
5, cited in CAN News, 1990, 6 (10), p. 3.
Halperin, D.A. (1983a). Introduction. In D.A. Halperin (Ed.), Psychodynamic perspectives
on religion, sect and cult (pp. XVII-XXII). Boston: John Wright, PSG Inc.
Halperin, D.A. (1983b). Group processes in cult recruitment and affiliation. In D.A. Halperin
(Ed.), Psychodynamic perspectives on religion, sect and cult (pp. 223-234). Boston:
John Wright, PSG Inc.
Halperin, D.A. (1986). Termination: Its therapeutic and legal dimensions in the long-term
residential treatment center. Residential Group Care and Treatment, 3 (3), 3-17.
Halperin, D.A. (1990). Psychiatric perspectives on cult affiliation. Psychiatric Annals, 20,
204-219.
Hochman, J. (1984). Iatrogenic symptoms associated with a therapy cult: Examination of
an extinct “new psychotherapy” with respect to psychiatric deterioration and
“brainwashing.” Psychiatry, 47, 366-377.
Kernberg, O. (1973). Psychoanalytic object theories, relations theory, group processes, and
administration: Toward an integrated theory of hospital treatment. Annals of
Psychoanalysis, 1, 363-388.
Kriegman, D., &Solomon, L. (1985). Cult groups and the narcissistic personality.
International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 35, 135-160.
Lewin, T. (June 3, 1988). Custody case lifts veil on a “psychotherapy cult.” The New York
Times, B1-B2.
Lifton, R.J. (1961). Thought reform and the psychology of totalism. New York: Norton.
Lothane, Z. (1978). Reflections on Ray Shafer. Colloquium, 1, 12-15.
Markowitz, A. (1983). The role of family therapy. In D.A. Halperin (Ed.), Psychodynamic
perspectives on religion, sect and cult (pp. 323-333). Boston: John Wright, PSG Inc.
Ofshe, R. (1980). The social development of the Synanon cult: The managerial strategy of
organizational transformation. Sociological Analysis, 41 (2), 109-127.
Streiker, L. (1984). Mind bending: Brainwashing, cults, and deprogramming the 80s. New
York: Doubleday and Company.
