For a number of years, I have recommended Sam Vaknin as a source of information on narcissism and narcissistic abuse. I learned a great deal from his YouTube lectures and regularly directed others towards them. In light of the documentary Narcissist’s Playbook: Empathy Not Included and Isla Traquair’s companion podcast, The Storyteller: Narcissist’s Playbook, I..
Read moreLife at All Costs? Resuscitation, End-of-Life Care and the Question of Suffering
There are subjects on which it is difficult to have a calm conversation. Euthanasia, assisted dying and the limits of medical intervention are among them. They bring together grief, fear, personal experience and deeply held beliefs about the value of human life. Yet the difficulty of the conversation is precisely why we need to have..
Read moreFake Doctorates and Fabricated Credentials in Hypnotherapy and “Alphabet Therapies”
Fake Doctorates and Fabricated Credentials in Hypnotherapy and “Alphabet Therapies” An Academic and Ethical Examination of Status Inflation in the Therapeutic Marketplace Within the loosely regulated landscape of hypnotherapy and related “alphabet therapies,” the inflation of professional status through fabricated or misleading academic credentials has become a persistent ethical concern. This article critically examines the..
Read moreDon’t Forget The Group Photo
Don't Forget The Group Photo: The Successful Coach Checklist A field guide for anyone hoping to become a fully self-actualised, internationally recognised, bookshelf-adjacent transformation professional. Important note: Any resemblance to actual coaches, trainers, founders, master trainers, breakthrough facilitators, quantum mindset architects, or people filming themselves in front of bookshelves is, of course, entirely intended. 1...
Read moreUnderstanding Narcissistic Family Patterns
When Love Does Not Feel Safe: Understanding Narcissistic Family Patterns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHgEDrvIZw&rel=0 More from Jerry Wise: https://jerrywise.ewebinar.com/webinar/free-training-10027 In narcissistic family systems, love may become confused with unpredictability, performance, obligation, control, silence, image management, and emotional debt. These patterns can continue into adult relationships, shaping what feels familiar, safe, threatening, or desirable. The essential shift is learning..
Read moreNLP “Status Games”
Credential, Lineage, and the Social Economy of Alphabet Therapies Within many contemporary “alphabet therapies”, i.e., training-led psychological and therapeutic modalities characterised by proprietary techniques, charismatic founders, and intensive workshop cultures, professional life is shaped as much by social hierarchy as by technical skill. Alongside the stated goal of learning methods, practitioners are often engaged in..
Read moreFrequency of Iatrogenic Deaths and Serious Harm in UK Psychiatric Practice
Abstract Iatrogenic harm refers to injury, illness, or death caused by medical intervention itself rather than the underlying condition. In psychiatric practice, iatrogenic outcomes may arise from pharmacological treatment, inpatient containment practices (such as restraint or seclusion), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or failures of care, including misdiagnosis and neglect. This report synthesises available UK evidence from..
Read moreCults, Control, and the Human Need for Meaning
Cults, Control, and the Human Need for Meaning Psychological Structures, Identity Collapse, and Recovery After High-Control Groups https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV36R-Zal30&rel=0 Introduction Public discourse surrounding cults typically features narratives of coercion, abuse, and psychological harm. While these accounts are often accurate and ethically necessary, they frequently obscure a more complex psychological reality: many individuals enter and remain within..
Read moreEmbodiment, Microbiota, and Meaning-Making
Embodiment, Microbiota, and Meaning-Making: An Interdisciplinary Conversation with Andrew T. Austin This article examines an extended interview with Andrew T. Austin, integrating perspectives from microbiome research, psychotherapy, systems theory, Freemasonry, and symbolic cognition. The discussion highlights emerging challenges to reductionist models of mental health and explores the continuity between ancient symbolic practices and contemporary psychological..
Read moreThe Invocation of Christmas
The Invocation of Christmas: How a Festival Is Magically Made Why Christmas Still “Works”, and Why It Sometimes Doesn’t Christmas is usually discussed in cultural, religious, or commercial terms. Rarely is it examined as a process. Yet when viewed through the lens of ritual theory and Western esoteric practice, Christmas reveals itself as one of..
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