Terry Hall @bizsayer

Guest Post/Commentary Published By Request from “Write On”

Hi Terry,

I don’t know how to add a comment to your Blog, can you post this? Or at least answer, or both? Thanks bunches! And keep on writing Terry!

Wow! This is the most comprehensive information I have found on the whole James Ray (and the seminar / self-help/ coaching industry … all in one place. Great job! And good for Amy for following her conscience right out the door of JRI.

I have a question for you – didn’t you attend seminars that were with a company built on the foundation of EST, called Landmark, or something like that? I remember having a conversation with you and another person in that group. You were very into the whole scene at the time. I was not. You were engaged in “enrolling” people for the group. Have you had a change of mind/heart? Correct me if I’m wrong. Actually, I bet you have no problem setting the record straight at you see it – I mean that as a compliment to your inner core of strength!

You are not alone in your idea of the need to regulate the seminar/coaching/etc industry. And I agree! Not sure what kind of license could be required for seminars, but surely there must be a way to make it mandatory for people to show their actual training and credentials. And yes, if they are going to employ psychological therapy techniques, they should show they have the training/certification to do so. Perhaps “coaches” of any kind should be held to the same licensing laws as counselors?

I have a Master’s of Science degree in Psychology. Not a Master’s of Art. Science. I worked hard for that degree, and had a lot of supervision during and after my training. Every professional field has the burden of being marred by idiots within that field. Psychology is not exempt from this dilemma. Hence: licensure. Even so, there are licensed idiots out there causing havoc in people’s lives. So I wonder sometimes if it is really possible to fully regulate any field that claims to help others. Ultimately, people will have to regulate themselves when they sign up for an experience (whether it is free or they are paying an obscene $9000+). But how can they do that without FULL DISCLOSURE? Doesn’t seem the attendees of JRI have full disclosure, nor did they receive their “waiver” in a timely manner!

Your Blog offered lots of reading… I was horrified by the “waiver” JRI attendees sign… AFTER their 3 day refund period. Yikes!!! I have never used a Waiver. Therapists are required to carry Malpractice Insurance. Ya know… in case of MALPRACTICE, in which case, the therapist must be responsible to the injured person(s). Certainly I would never expect anyone to sign such a blatantly irresponsible Waiver like the one from JRI. Yep, I bet the Attendees that went, even after signing, surely never expected to be baked in a make-shift oven. Where are his real credentials to conduct a Sweat Lodge??

So that leaves me wondering…. How DO we empower others using our trained skills but NOT charge money in order to live? I don’t think you are advocating that people work for free. You are decrying the greed attached to many so-called self-help seminars and guru type businesses, right? I want to work to help others. You work to help others. We all need to be paid for our work and held accountable for what we do.

Keep writing! Thanks for all your hard work on your Blog!