Tag: counseling

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The Ideological Capture of Mental Health: A Whistleblower’s Story

How ‘Decolonizing Healing’ Became a Weapon of Social Engineering

The other week in our episode, Escaping One Cult, Joining Another? The Trap of Ideological Echo Chambers—When ‘Cult Recovery’ Looks a Lot Like a New Cult, I first introduced this idea: people leave high-control religion thinking they’ve found freedom, only to land in another rigid belief system.

And today, we’re diving even deeper.

Why does this happen?

Because humans are tribal.

Political scientists have long found that our opinions are shaped more by group identity than by rational self-interest. As Jonathan Haidt explains in The Righteous Mind, politics is deeply tribal—we’re hardwired to align with groups, not necessarily because they offer truth, but because they provide belonging.

As I’ve been navigating the deconstruction, ex-Christian, ex-cult communities, I’ve noticed for many, the radical progressive left becomes their new “safe” community, offering a clear moral hierarchy—oppressed vs. oppressor, privileged vs. marginalized. It mirrors what they once found in their faith.

But here’s the problem: the partisan brain, already trained in “us vs. them” thinking, doesn’t become freer—it simply finds a new orthodoxy.

John McWhorter has argued that woke ideology functions like a religion:

  • Instead of original sin, there’s privilege, marking some people as morally compromised from birth.
  • Instead of prayer, there’s public confession of biases and activism as penance.
  • Instead of heaven, there’s a utopia achieved through systemic change.

This framework offers a sense of moral clarity and belonging—but like any fundamentalist movement, it cannot tolerate dissent. As McWhorter warns,

“What we’re seeing isn’t a quest for justice but a demand for unquestioning orthodoxy.”

And that’s why so much of the deconstruction space looks less like healing and more like indoctrination.

“Systemic racism.” “Oppression.” “Intersectionality.”

These words dominate the language of social justice activism, but what do they actually mean? If you take them at face value, you might think they’re about fighting discrimination or ensuring equal opportunity.

But if you really listen—if you really follow the ideology to its core—it all comes back to one thing: capitalism.

For the radical left, capitalism isn’t just an economic system; it’s the system—the root of all oppression. The force that creates every hierarchy, every disparity, every injustice.

When they say systemic racism, they don’t mean individual prejudice or even discriminatory laws—they mean the entire capitalist structure that, in their view, was built to privilege some and exploit others.

And here’s the part that’s honestly exhausting—watching the same deconstruction folks preach about “decolonizing healing” and “Christian nationalism” in the same breath while pushing trauma support for religious survivors—all while being knee-deep in Critical Race Theory.

It’s one thing to acknowledge past harms. But this ideology just piles on more depression and anxiety without offering real solutions.

Let’s get real: this isn’t healing. It’s more of the same toxic division and victimhood—repackaged as activism.

And if you think I’m exaggerating, just listen to this clip from my interview last season with the founder of Tears of Eden, a nonprofit supporting survivor of spiritual abuse:

Katherine Spearing: (Timestamp 4:32)
“Now, like, one of the things that I have committed to—who knows how long it will last—I don’t listen to white men. Like, I don’t listen to white men’s podcasts, I don’t listen to white men on TV, white men sermons, I don’t read white men’s books, and I miss ZERO things by not listening to white men. There is amazing material created by BIPOC, queer-identifying people, women—I miss ZERO things not listening to white men. And we, as a culture—especially in fundamentalist spaces—have platformed white men as voices of authority and trust.”

Now let’s take Nikki G. Speaks, who also works with Tears of Eden. Her book frames Christian nationalism as the root of systemic oppression, defining it in a way that casts anyone with conservative values or moral convictions as complicit. And it’s not just an argument—it’s being packaged as trauma recovery. Just look at how it’s marketed:

“Hearing the same controlling language in our laws that I heard in church feels like a step backward in my healing.” “It’s like my trauma has left the church and entered our government—it’s a reminder of how pervasive these beliefs can be.”

This isn’t about healing—it’s about turning political disagreement into personal trauma. And this is just one example of how therapy spaces are being used to enforce ideology rather than foster true recovery.

Let that sink in.

This is what is being promoted under the guise of “healing.”

This isn’t about liberation. It’s about swapping one dogma for another, one form of control for another. And the worst part?

It’s being fed to people who have already been deeply wounded, offering them more alienation and resentment instead of real recovery.

This is where intersectionality comes in.

Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in the 1980s, intersectionality originally described how different forms of discrimination—race, gender, class—could compound. But in the hands of modern activists, it’s become something much broader—a blueprint for how capitalism oppresses everyone.

Race? Capitalism’s fault.
Gender? A hierarchy created by capitalism.
Policing? A tool of capitalism to protect property and maintain order.
Disability? Even that, they argue, is socially constructed through a capitalist framework that determines who is “productive” and who isn’t.

The goal isn’t reform—it’s destruction. Private property, free markets, law enforcement, even objective truth itself—everything is viewed as an extension of capitalism’s oppressive grip. And because the U.S. Constitution protects that system, it too is labeled a racist, colonialist document that must be overturned.

This is why, no matter what progress is made, America will always be deemed a racist society by those who see racism and capitalism as inextricably linked. And if you think this sounds extreme, just wait—because the next frontier, Queer Marxism, takes it even further. This emerging ideology argues that capitalism didn’t just create economic classes but created gender itself. That masculinity and femininity aren’t just cultural norms, but capitalist inventions designed to uphold oppression.

The radical goal? Not just to redefine gender—but to abolish it entirely.

Today, I’m joined by someone who saw this ideology take over firsthand.

Suzannah Alexander is the writer behind Diogenes in Exile and a self-described whistleblower. Her journey took a sharp turn when she returned to grad school to pursue a master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Tennessee. Instead of a rigorous academic environment, she found a program completely entrenched in Critical Theories—one that didn’t just push radical ideas but actively rejected her Buddhist practice and raised serious ethical concerns about how future therapists were being trained. Believing the curriculum would do more harm than good, she made the difficult decision to leave.

Since then, Suzannah has dedicated herself to investigating and exposing the ideological capture of psychology, higher education, and other institutions that seem to have lost their way.

Today, we’re pulling back the curtain on what’s really happening in academia and the mental health field—how radical ideologies are shaping the next generation of therapists, and what that means for all of us.

This isn’t just about politics.

This is about the fundamental reshaping of how we think about identity, human nature, and even reality itself.

Buckle up—this conversation is going to challenge some assumptions.

Let’s get into it.

The ‘Shell Game’ of Autonomy vs. Collectivism

In the counseling profession, the ACA (American Counseling Association) Code of Ethics emphasizes autonomy as a fundamental value. Counselors are meant to respect the autonomy of their clients, allowing them to make decisions based on their own needs, values, and beliefs. However, there’s a disturbing contradiction in the way this value is applied.

Suzannah points out a glaring issue: while the ACA Code of Ethics pushes for autonomy on an individual level, the broader agenda within counselor training increasingly prioritizes societal goals—often driven by collectivist ideologies—over the well-being of the individual client. She likens this contradiction to a “shell game,” where one thing (autonomy) is promised, but what you get is something entirely different: an emphasis on societal goals and moral frameworks that favor groupthink over personal decision-making.

From Competence to Conformity: The New Standard for Counselor Training

In Suzannah’s story, she highlights how counseling programs have made a troubling shift from evaluating students based on competence—their ability to effectively help clients—to assessing whether they’re willing to “confess, comply, and conform.” This process, Suzannah describes, is what she terms “ideological purification.”

This ideological purification isn’t about developing professional skill; it’s about enforcing a prescribed set of beliefs. Under the influence of CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) standards, students are now pressured to align their personal values and beliefs with certain ideological standards. For Suzannah, this was most evident in how multicultural counseling courses and other required coursework increasingly centered around critical race theory, intersectionality, and social justice activism.

Suzannah asks: How can this ideological shift affect students who resist, and what happens when they’re coerced into aligning with values that aren’t their own?

The danger here is twofold: students who resist this ideological conditioning may find themselves marginalized, pushed out of programs, or forced into an uncomfortable position where they feel pressured to abandon their own beliefs. This, Suzannah argues, creates a chilling atmosphere for anyone who doesn’t conform to the prescribed worldview.

Ideological Purity in Counselor Training: What’s at Stake?

Suzannah’s personal experience with CACREP’s “dispositions” exemplifies the pressure to align personal beliefs with ideological standards. She shares that this led to her being placed on a “Support Plan”—essentially a probationary period where she was expected to prove her ideological compliance. This was compounded by verbal abuse from professors who seemed intent on forcing her to adopt a specific worldview, regardless of her personal or professional integrity.

Suzannah reflects: How did this ideological enforcement affect her professional integrity? The pressure to abandon her personal beliefs and adopt prescribed values made her question whether counseling, a field that should center around helping individuals find their own path, had become more about enforcing conformity than fostering autonomy.

The Impact of Ideological Capture on Effective Therapy

Suzannah’s concerns go beyond her own experience; she warns of the long-term consequences of this ideological capture on the broader counseling profession. As the training process increasingly focuses on ideological purity rather than competence, it undermines the very foundation of therapy—trust, autonomy, and the ability to genuinely help clients.

Suzannah argues that when counselor training programs force students to abandon their personal beliefs, they create a system where the ability to genuinely help clients is compromised. Counselors may find themselves unable to offer support that reflects the true diversity of their clients’ experiences—particularly those who may not share the same ideological framework. This ideological conditioning poses a real threat to the integrity of the counseling profession as a whole.

The Long-Term Consequences: A Dangerous Path

The future of the counseling profession, as Suzannah warns, is in jeopardy if this trend of ideological conformity continues. What once was a field designed to support individuals in navigating their personal struggles is at risk of becoming another ideological tool, where practitioners are forced to conform to an orthodoxy rather than providing true, individualized care.

As Suzannah explains, the core values of counseling—such as autonomy, respect for the individual, and the ability to help clients work through their unique experiences—are being overshadowed by an agenda that prioritizes ideological purity. If this trend continues, it may lead to a future where counselors are more concerned with political correctness than the well-being of their clients.

The Final Question: Is Healing Possible in This New Environment?

Suzannah’s story raises critical questions about the future of counseling and mental health support in an increasingly ideological landscape. How do counselors maintain their professional integrity in a system that demands conformity? How can clients receive true support when the professionals meant to help them are being trained under such an ideological framework?

The answers to these questions will shape the future of mental health care. If the trend of ideological capture continues, it may very well reshape the profession into something unrecognizable—an environment where therapy becomes just another vehicle for ideological control, rather than a space for healing and personal growth.

Have thoughts on this? Join the conversation! If you’ve experienced the impact of ideological conformity in mental health training or therapy, share your story in the comments or send us a message. The more we understand the forces shaping mental health care, the better equipped we are to fight for a future where autonomy and true healing are at the center of care.

Links:

Further Reading

Posted on in Bible, biblicalworldview, challenges, christianfaith, deconstruction, faith, history, JesusChrist, mental health, nervous system, newagetojesus, physiology, podcast, scripture, self-help, spiritualabuse, testimonies, theology, wordofgod, worldview

The Impact of Biblical Counseling on Scrupulosity and Mental Health in Religious Contexts

Did you know that nearly one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental health issues each year, with many of these individuals deeply embedded in religious communities? Unfortunately, within certain religious contexts, these struggles are often misunderstood or outright dismissed, leading to significant harm.

This week on the podcast, our guest explains more about Scrupulosity, a form of religious OCD, is particularly prevalent in such environments. Its debilitating effects are often compounded by biblical counseling practices that prioritize doctrinal purity over psychological well-being. This issue is glaringly evident in the teachings of influential figures like John MacArthur, whose views on mental health have had a profound and dangerous impact on his followers.

🎧Listen here!

Understanding Scrupulosity

Definition: Scrupulosity is a psychological condition where an individual experiences obsessive concerns about sin and moral behavior, often leading to compulsive religious rituals. It’s a form of OCD that is frequently misunderstood as heightened piety rather than a serious mental health issue.

Impact on Individuals: The emotional and psychological toll of scrupulosity can be devastating. Individuals suffering from this condition often live in constant fear of divine punishment, leading to extreme anxiety and depression. Marissa Burt shared harrowing stories of people trapped in this cycle, where every thought and action is scrutinized under the weight of perceived sinfulness, leaving them isolated and in despair.

The Role of Biblical Counseling

Biblical counseling is a form of therapy that relies solely on Scripture to address psychological issues, often rejecting modern psychological practices. Unlike secular mental health care, which is based on scientific research and evidence-based practices, biblical counseling assumes that all mental health issues stem from spiritual problems.

The Harmful Impact of Spiritually Abusive Counseling and Complementarianism

Section 1: The Dangers of Spiritually Abusive Counseling Programs

The spiritually abusive counseling program I was part of advocated for trusting in God and walking in the Spirit, based on Ephesians 4:22-24. While this approach may seem pious, it dangerously neglected real mental health needs and suggested that faith alone could ‘cure’ conditions like borderline personality disorder (BPD).

The Reality of Mental Health Needs

BPD is a serious mental health condition requiring professional treatment. While faith can offer support, it is not a substitute for evidence-based therapy. The notion that BPD is merely a result of not being ‘Christ-like’ enough not only invalidates legitimate mental health struggles but also manipulates individuals into believing their worth is contingent on religious compliance.

The Damage of Biblical Counseling

Biblical counseling, particularly when practiced by organizations like the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), can be profoundly damaging. This approach often lacks nuance and sensitivity, especially in cases of marital abuse. Instead of addressing abusive behaviors, it focuses on wives’ submission, perpetuating harm and failing to uphold biblical principles of love and justice.

Research indicates that frequent causes of women’s anger include:

  • Feelings of helplessness
  • Not being listened to
  • Injustice
  • Irresponsibility on the parts of others
  • The inability to make desired changes

The Flaws in ACBC’s Approach

ACBC’s counseling model relies on flawed interpretations of biblical passages and neglects psychological insights. It is authoritarian and has the potential for spiritual abuse, lacking accountability and sensitivity. The emphasis on traditional female gender norms that prioritize tenderness over assertiveness further hinders women’s ability to address unfair treatment effectively.

Complementarianism and Gender Equality

The conservative church promotes dangerous ideologies through Complementarianism, which emphasizes women’s submission to men. Historical analysis reveals that contemporary teachings about women’s roles often misinterpret or selectively use biblical passages to justify patriarchal structures rather than promoting equality and mutual respect. Critics argue that these teachings reflect human power structures more than the true message of Christ.

Critique of Biblical Counseling in Cases of Scrupulosity

This approach can be particularly harmful in cases of scrupulosity, where the condition is often mistaken for a lack of faith or moral failure. Instead of providing relief, biblical counseling can exacerbate the problem by reinforcing the idea that the sufferer must simply pray harder, read the Bible more, or repent more sincerely. Insights from Marissa Burt into these counseling sessions reveal a troubling pattern: individuals are often led deeper into their condition, with no recognition of the need for professional mental health care.

Towards Equality and Liberation

Achieving gender equality and women’s liberation is crucial for building a more prosperous and harmonious world. By examining church history and contemporary interpretations, we can challenge and move beyond outdated beliefs, advocating for a more equitable and respectful understanding of biblical teachings.

Real-Life Examples: Marissa shared examples of people who, after years of biblical counseling, found themselves more entrenched in their fear and anxiety. Instead of receiving the help they needed, they were told that their mental struggles were a sign of spiritual weakness, further alienating them from any form of relief.

John MacArthur’s Controversial Views

Introduction to MacArthur’s Views: John MacArthur, a prominent evangelical leader, has long been a vocal critic of psychological diagnoses and treatments, dismissing them as unbiblical. He argues that mental health issues are primarily spiritual problems that should be addressed through Scripture, prayer, and repentance.

Impact on Followers: MacArthur’s teachings have had a profound influence on his followers, many of whom reject necessary mental health care in favor of biblical counseling. This can lead to the worsening of conditions like scrupulosity, as individuals are discouraged from seeking professional help. Marissa Burt’s experiences highlight the real harm caused by these teachings, as people are led to believe that their suffering is a result of sin rather than a treatable mental health condition.

Marissa’s Insights: Marissa shared that within biblical counseling settings influenced by MacArthur’s teachings, there is little room for acknowledging the validity of psychological science. Instead, individuals are pushed to conform to a narrow view of spirituality, often at the expense of their mental health. This rigid approach can have devastating consequences, leaving individuals trapped in a cycle of guilt, fear, and spiritual abuse.

The Intersection of Faith and Mental Health

The Struggle for Balance: Many individuals find themselves torn between their faith and the need for mental health care. The struggle to reconcile these two aspects of their lives can be overwhelming, particularly when religious leaders like MacArthur promote the idea that mental health issues are purely spiritual.

Call for Change: It’s time for religious communities to adopt a more compassionate and informed approach to mental health. Psychological science and faith need not be at odds; in fact, they can complement each other in helping individuals achieve overall well-being. Recognizing the validity of mental health issues and seeking appropriate care is not a sign of weak faith but of a holistic approach to human flourishing.

Conclusion

Scrupulosity is a serious mental health condition that can be exacerbated by the teachings of biblical counseling and figures like John MacArthur. The dismissal of psychological science in favor of a purely scriptural approach can lead to significant harm, trapping individuals in cycles of guilt and fear.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, it’s crucial to seek out appropriate care. Be cautious of religious teachings that diminish the importance of psychological well-being. Remember, it’s possible to maintain your faith while also taking care of your mental health.

Sources:

https://mburtwrites.substack.com/p/the-stranglehold-of-christian-scrupulosity

The statistic about nearly one in five adults in the U.S. experiencing mental health issues annually is based on general findings from sources like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For example, the NIMH often reports that about 20% of adults experience some form of mental health disorder each year.

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): They provide comprehensive data on mental health statistics. NIMH Statistics
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): They offer data on mental health prevalence and its impact. CDC Mental Health

Books

  • “The Doubting Disease: Help for Scrupulosity and Religious Compulsions” by Joseph W. Ciarrocchi: A classic resource that offers a mix of psychological and spiritual guidance for those dealing with scrupulosity and religious OCD.

Articles & Guides

  • International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Guide on Scrupulosity: Provides a thorough overview of scrupulosity, including treatment options and practical tips. IOCDF Guide
  • “Understanding Scrupulosity” by Dr. Gregory Bottaro: Offers insights from a clinical psychologist who integrates faith and psychology, providing both professional and spiritual perspectives.

Online Communities & Forums

  • Reddit’s r/scrupulosity: A supportive online community where individuals share experiences, resources, and support related to scrupulosity. Reddit r/scrupulosity
  • OCD Action Forum: Contains specific sections for religious and moral OCD, allowing individuals to connect and share experiences. OCD Action Forum

Therapy & Counseling

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): This is the gold standard for treating scrupulosity. Finding a therapist who specializes in CBT and ERP can be particularly effective.
  • Faith-Based Counseling: For those seeking to integrate their faith into therapy, it’s important to find a counselor who understands both OCD and the individual’s religious background.

Non-Christian Sources

  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Provides general mental health resources and information on how different settings, including religious ones, can impact mental well-being. NAMI Website
  • Pew Research Center: Offers reports and data on the intersection of religion and mental health. Pew Research Center Religion & Public Life
  • American Psychological Association (APA): Publishes research and articles on mental health, including impacts of religious environments. APA Website
  • Secular Therapy Project: Connects individuals with secular therapists sensitive to the impact of religious settings on mental health. Secular Therapy Project

These resources should offer a well-rounded approach to understanding and managing scrupulosity, catering to a variety of needs and perspectives for anyone navigating the complexities of scrupulosity.