Toolkit · Safety

Red flags

Patterns that recur across the atlas's harm accounts. Use them when a client is involved with a group, retreat, healer or programme, and when you choose a training for yourself. One flag is a reason to ask more; several together are a reason for concern.

A promise of cure, or of results no one else can offer

Claims to cure serious illness, to work for everything, or to succeed where all else failed. Healing traditions that last tend to describe limits and who they are not for.

Where the atlas records this: Radioactive and electrical quackery, Patent medicines, Gerson therapy

Discouraging medical care or prescribed medication

Advice to stop medication, avoid doctors or hide the practice from them. In the atlas, much of the documented physical harm follows this step.

Where the atlas records this: Gerson therapy, Sodium bicarbonate therapy (Simoncini), Breatharianism

Isolation from family and friends

Pressure to cut contact, move in, or treat outsiders as threats or as the cause of the problem.

Where the atlas records this: The Center for Feeling Therapy, Straight, Incorporated, Coercive deprogramming

Pressure to stay when it hurts

Distress or worsening symptoms are framed as progress, resistance or a necessary breakdown, and stopping is discouraged.

Where the atlas records this: Coercive holding therapy and rebirthing-attachment therapy, Elan School

Escalating cost and commitment

More sessions, levels, retreats or products are always needed, often paid in advance, with money linked to spiritual or therapeutic progress.

Secrecy and special knowledge

What happens may not be discussed with others; the method is hidden, and questions are treated as disloyalty.

Where the atlas records this: The Center for Feeling Therapy, Psychic driving (Cameron, MKUltra)

A single charismatic authority

One founder or leader whose word cannot be questioned, who stands above the usual ethical and professional rules.

Where the atlas records this: The Center for Feeling Therapy, Direct analysis (Rosen)

Confrontation, humiliation or breaking down

Methods that attack, shame or exhaust people on the theory that they must be broken before they can be rebuilt.

Where the atlas records this: Straight, Incorporated, Elan School, Boot camps for conduct disorder

Force, restraint or deprivation

Holding, restraint, sleep or food deprivation, or physical stress presented as therapeutic.

Where the atlas records this: Coercive holding therapy and rebirthing-attachment therapy, Chaining and shackling of people with psychosocial disabilities, Deep sleep therapy (Chelmsford)

Unclear or blurred physical and sexual boundaries

Touch without clear explanation and consent, a right to stop, and a professional frame; any sexualisation of the relationship.

Where the atlas records this: The Center for Feeling Therapy

Searching for memories that may not exist

Methods that suggest, search for or construct memories of abuse or hidden selves, then treat them as fact.

Where the atlas records this: Recovered-memory therapy, DID-oriented therapy that elicits alters, Facilitated communication

Changing who someone is

Practices that aim to change sexual orientation or gender identity, whatever they are called.

Where the atlas records this: Aversion therapy in conversion practices, Reparative therapy (Moberly, Nicolosi), Ex-gay ministries (Exodus International)

Credentials that cannot be checked

Titles from the method's own organisation only, no independent register, no complaints route.

No room for doubt or adverse effects

Side effects and bad experiences are never mentioned, or are blamed on the client.

When choosing a training for yourself

Is there an independent register, accreditation or professional body, and a complaints route outside the training organisation?
Are the method's limits, adverse effects and contraindications taught openly?
Can you see the curriculum, hours and supervision requirements before you pay?
Is personal therapy or practice required, and is it kept separate from assessment?
Are costs clear, and can you stop without losing everything you have paid?
Do graduates practise within the law and their existing professional scope?

In a crisis, follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.