Articles about the International Re-evaluation Counseling Communities

NEW!	SEX AND RE-EVALUATION COUNSELING (RC). (WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO 'COUNSELING ON EARLY SEXUAL MEMORIES' & 'A RATIONAL THEORY OF SEXUALITY'.)

	The aim of this article is to outline some of the basic ideas that RC has to offer on sexuality and some of the dangers that blind acceptance of these ideas can lead to. In addition it also highlights some of the cult-like aspects of RC, concerning the sexual behaviour of the founder 'Harvey Jackins'. The RC booklets 'Counselling on Early Sexual Memories' and 'A Rational Theory of Sexuality' were written by 'Harvey Jackins' are the prime source of the information discussed here. Information has also been taken from the 'Belgium Study Group on Psychotherapy Cults' that carried out an extensive study of 'RC' and the behaviour of Harvey Jackins. The conclusions of the Belgium Study group were that the organization was a successful Psychotherapy Cult. 'Successful' because it has survived for many years, under the leadership of Jackins (now deceased), despite well-publicized allegations about his abusive behaviour to other members. Harvey Jackins is no longer in charge of RC, his son 'Timothy Jackins' is currently in charge of the organization. However, the policies and teachings that enabled Harvey Jackins to sidestep well aimed criticisms of both his conduct and RC teachings are still in place. As critics of RC and its leaders are still silenced in the same manner as when H.Jackins was in charge a reminder from the Belgium Study Group is still apt.


NEW!	Is RC Co Counseling Healthy?

	The author examines whether the RC co counseling method of itself can lead to mind control, manipulation and other adverse effects. He examines the RC co counseling environment and practices: how they affect the suggestibility of clients; objectives of counselors and RC leaders; who is in charge of sessions; limits and standards in RC co counseling and how RC has treated members in the past. He concludes that RC co counseling is potentially dangerous and recommends that people who are seeking psychological counseling look to sources other than RC.


NEW!	*One Person's Understanding of his Experiences in RC*

	This essay describes an RCer's experiences in RC when questioning RC's controversies, and after leaving RC, with references to articles that illustrate and amplify some of the issues he had with being an RCer. Coming soon: Part 1: RC and Sexual Addiction Part 2: RC Leaders and RCers as Co-dependents Part 3: RC as an Incest Family Part 4: Cult-like Aspects of RC Part 5: Recovery from RC's Betrayal Conclusion

NEW!	Is RC Based on Science?

	RC "theory" is frequently couched in the language of social science. The author compares development of RC "theory" with development of social science. He concludes that RC tenets have little or no basis in science.

NEW!	Excerpts from: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY of the CAREER of HARVEY JACKINS and RE-EVALUATION COUNSELING, A Study of the Origins, Evolution and Prospects of a "Successful" Psychotherapy Cult *The Table of Contents page 1*

	*The Table of Contents page 2*

	Part 1, pages 1-29 (currently not transcribed but displayed in the "References" section)

	*Part 2, pages 29-53*

	*Part 3, pages 55-71*

	*Part 4, pages 72-95*

	*Part 5, pages 96-106*


	*STATEMENT BY FORMER RC LEADER*

	A former RC leader describes her 1991 experience at a "midnight counseling session" after she was summoned to Jackins' room at a young people's workshop she organized.
	People at the upper levels of IRCC hierarchy defend Jackins (and their own actions covering up for him) by claiming that he stopped the behavior described in this article long ago, was too old to proposition young women for "counseling session", and these reports are merely second-hand rumors, multiplied in the telling. Maybe the many reports of Jackins' sexual predation at IRCC events were rumors in 1981, but by 1991 they were well documented.


	*GROUP INFLUENCE AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CULTISM WITHIN RC by Dennis Tourish BSc, MSc & Pauline Irving BSc, MSc, Dip CG, CPsycho*

	*INFLUENCIA DE GRUPO Y PSICOLOGIA DEL CULTISMO EN RC: UNA CRITICA* (Above article translated into spanish)

	There's a lot of controversy about using the word "cult" when describing Re-evaluation Counseling. This article explains the how the systems within IRCC relate to cultism.

	POWER AND AUTONOMY OF RC MEMBERS

	This article points out that RC tends to deter its members from acting autonomously and using their power to achieve their own goals. This reinforces, rather than contradicts, people's distress and consequently stifles their progress. RC's actions are seen to be strikingly different from its proclamations.

	*EX-ARP SPEAKS OUT ON GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL POLICY*

	A lesbian talks point by point about her reasons for disagreement with the RC gay and lesbian policy, and talks about being demoted in the midst of the reinstatement of that policy. The article serves as a warning to those who might innocently implement this policy on themselves or others.

	*TRANSCRIPTS OF INTERVIEWS INVESTIGATING SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS by Holly Hurwitz & Steve Dickens*

	In 1988, two RCers decided to independently investigate the allegations of sexual abuse. They spent several months conducting interviews with many leaders in RC. Included here are transcripts of some of the interviews, along with an introductory letter.

	*RE-EVALUATING RC*

	"Re-evaluating RC" points out the discrepancies between RC theory as it applies to IRCC and as it applies to anything else in the "wide world". It also gives concrete recommendations for new policies.

	HOW I WAS DISEMPOWERED BY RE-EVALUATION COUNSELING by Andy Rushton

	This article first appeared on the CCOUNSEL list. It is a first-hand account of experiences within RC and the "re-evaluation" that followed.

	*RESIGNATION LETTER FROM FRENCH-SPEAKING EUROPEAN RC LEADERSHIP*

	This letter appeared in "Reemergence" the RC newsletter for French-speaking Europe. It provides an "inside" look at some of what went on between Harvey and the European leadership that lead to their mass resignation in 1989.

	THE ROOTS OF AUTHORITARIANISM by Lundy Bancroft

	"The Roots of Authoritarianism" proposes that the problems in RC are in no sense inherent in co-counseling and are in fact, corruptions of everything else RC itself teaches.

	SEX, LIES & CO-COUNSELING by Matthew Lyons

	"Sex, Lies & Co-Counseling" provides a good summary on the history of abuse and cover-up within the RC communities. It is by ex-RCer and respected journalist Matthew Lyons who includes footnotes of source materials that will assist independent investigation of the information.

	*RC AND WORKING ON EARLY SEXUAL MEMORIES - A PERSONAL REFLECTION*
	A critique of RC's Early Sexual Memories work, including abusive and invasive counseling, false memory syndrome, RC's "Attack Policy" and ESM work's dangerous consequences.

	A PSYCHIATRIST'S STORY OF HIS BRIEF INVOLVEMENT IN RC
	HISTORIA DE LA BREVE IMPLICACION DE UN PSIQUIATRA EN RC (The above article translated into spanish)
	A personal and professional critique of RC's Theory and Jackins' abuse of authority, by a psychiatrist and former RC leader.

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