In the course of communication with Liz Shaw, the Cult Survivor Advocate at Wellspring Retreat and Resource Center, I mentioned that there had been recent discussion on various newsgorups about whether Wellspring is or is not Christian-oriented. The following was her response, which I post here with her permission. ~~~ Mary Ann Bosnos

Our work is done from a secular mental health perspective, but we also offer the Christian counseling perspective to those who desire it. Many of our clients have left Bible-based Christian cults. (In fact, some of the nastiest cults we deal with are Christian cults!) Over the years, we have had many atheists, agnostics, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Orthodox Jews and even some Buddhists and Muslims come through our center who were very comfortable here. The key is that we don't proselytize, but we also don't apologize for who we are as individuals - most, though not all, of the staff members are Christians. We believe that the road to recovery from spiritual abuse must include an openess about the individual's CHOICE for a spiritual path, or lack thereof. Our dinner table conversations are often lively as clients share their perspectives about religion, God and choices of spiritual paths! I always tell clients that I can't guarantee what the other clients might say to them in regards to religion, but I can gurantee what the staff will say....."It's YOUR choice!" And that's something most of them haven't heard in a long time....maybe never!

We feel that by modeling to them our own individual choices (we all attend different churches and embrace a wide range of denominations) they will see that it is safe to explore spirituality again. But having said that, spirituality is only one component here. We address vocational problems, cognitive problems, relational problems. Some want a strict secular approach and others want a Christian counseling approach. We can provide either approach and tailor it to the individual's desires.

Thanks so much, Mary Ann, for asking this question. Please tell anyone who has questions about this to give me a call. I'll be happy to explain that our atmosphere is one of acceptance and safety. We don't hit anyone over the head with the Bible...they won't even see one unless they ask for one!

Take care
Liz

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