Ryan aka “elryancito” was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. He is currently counselor that works in an intensive clinical group living environment which is a pilot program designed to help dually-diagnosed disabled individuals with recovery. Ryan is also an undergraduate psychology student at Worcester State University. Ryan’s Parents and Grandparents were Jehovah’s Witnesses. His grandfather found solace inContinueContinue reading “My History as a Jehovah’s Witness”
Tag Archives: EXJW
ExJWs: Dealing with Disagreements
As JWs we were all forced to have the same religious, moral, and political views. When we leave the religion we grow and our beliefs start to diversify. You may have encountered individuals who now are passionate about something that you are very passionately in disagreement with. How can we handle these disagreements while maintainingContinueContinue reading “ExJWs: Dealing with Disagreements”
Support ExJWs with Active Listening
With the growing community of ExJWs online, we need to support each other through some of the most challenging personal situations. One way that we can support each other is by being active listeners. Your job as a listener is to build rapport, understanding, and trust. As JWs, we were accustomed to telling others whatContinueContinue reading “Support ExJWs with Active Listening”
Experience with Jehovah’s Witnesses
My blog page is the result of my combined love for psychology, science, and helping other survivors of the high demand religion known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. I feel that it is relevant to discuss my life experience as it relates to Jehovah’s Witnesses. My Parents, Grandparents, and almost all of my aunts and uncles wereContinueContinue reading “Experience with Jehovah’s Witnesses”
Emotional Validation
The feelings of members of Jehovah’s Witnesses are often rejected, ignored, or judged. This is emotional invalidation. Especially if born into the religion these people may experience a very profound level of personal invalidation. Not only are they told what to believe but they are also told what they feel. Any personal feelings or experiencesContinueContinue reading “Emotional Validation”
Three New Support Groups for XJWs
Good Morning Everyone. I have created three new support groups which I will be facilitating. ExJWs: Learning and Growing https://www.facebook.com/groups/exjwsgrowing/ Here I will be sharing psych articles that promote growing and moving forward. I am writing many articles specifically for ExJWs. I encourage other people to share personal achievements or other information they have foundContinueContinue reading “Three New Support Groups for XJWs”
Codependency And Jehovah’s Witnesses
Ex Jehovah’s Witnesses overcome all sort of unhealthy social ideas and habits. One of those unhealthy things is Codependency. It’s something that was ingrained in us from an early age. Let’s explore what it is and what kind of impact it might be having in your life today. Google defines Codependency as an “excessive emotionalContinueContinue reading “Codependency And Jehovah’s Witnesses”
Why Fitness Is Important To Me.
So I’ve been going to the gym 3 times a week for the last month. It’s been good. I’ve decided I’m going to try to post a psychology article on Sunday and then a more personal type article on Thursday. Let’s see how it goes! This Thursday I’m talking about the why fitness is importantContinueContinue reading “Why Fitness Is Important To Me.”
The Power Of Laughter
It may seem a bit cliche but laughing is powerful. By nature, I’m a very serious person. I’ve been criticized for not smiling enough. Not laughing enough. I only discovered the power true power of laughter after I left Jehovah’s Witnesses. I was devastated by my experience with Jehovah’s Witnesses. I was devastated beingContinueContinue reading “The Power Of Laughter”
Making Changes With Journaling
When I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses I felt stuck. I wanted to achieve things in my life and I wasn’t able to. This led me to be very depressed. Now, this was partly because of the limiting rules of the Witnesses and the harsh consequences for not following them. However even after leaving theContinueContinue reading “Making Changes With Journaling”
Ryan David Tuttle 