Professionals
The Problem We Address
The problem we address stems from abuse of power by an individual or group over another individual or group. This can take the form of battering relationships; cult involvement; abuse by professionals such as therapists, clergy, teachers, etc.; internet stalking and even multi-level marketing scams. Our treatment model is effective in breaking the cycle of abuse that is often kept in play by the victim returning to the abusive individual or group. Since our beginnings in 1986, we have treated over 1000 abuse survivors here at our residential treatment facility, and reached hundreds of thousands more through our on-site rehabilitation programs, phone consultations, seminars, and conference presentations. The problem we address is international. Our clients have come from all over the North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Researchers and interns have also come from these continents to study our unique approach to successfully treating and thus liberating an abuse victim from the entanglement of a thought reform model.
The problem we address is growing. While it is a well know fact that domestic violence is increasing at an alarming rate, the magnitude of the cult problem is also staggering. Estimates of the number of cult members in the United States range well over 10 million in an estimated 3,000-4,000 cults. Many of those who leave such groups will sustain lasting psychological problems. Few of those will understand the extent or the nature of the damage they have sustained. In fact, the only social and health problems that exceed the harm inflicted by cults are drug and alcohol abuse, family violence, violent crime, accidents, all forms of cancer combined (cult involvement exceeds the total of any one type of cancer), syphilis, gonorrhea, colds, and flu.
The problem we address responds to specialized treatment. Less than 1% of our clients ever return to the batterer, abusive group, or cult after treatment. Many of our clients had previously "hopped" from one abusive situation to another until coming to Wellspring. After completing the intensive two-week residential program at Wellspring, many clients return to their therapist with this piece of their treatment goal completed and ready to move on with the therapist to other issues that can be addressed in out-patient therapy.