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: JW
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”
Radical Acceptance
There are essentially 4 responses that any XJW can have in response to the problems that bother us. We can do nothing and continue to let them bother us. We can change how we think about the problem. We can find a solution and resolve the problem. OR we can practice something called Radical Acceptance. ContinueContinue reading “Radical Acceptance”
What are Logical Fallacies?
If you’re an XJW you’ve been exposed to Logical Fallacies in abundance. Yet you may have never heard of this term. What are Logical Fallacies? Why should you be familiar with them? Lets go! Logical Fallacies are errors in reasoning. Basically, when someone makes an argument but it doesn’t make any sense it might beContinueContinue reading “What are Logical Fallacies?”
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”
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”
How to Build Better Relationships with Positive Psychology
Many XJW’s are working on building better healthier relationships. With effort and support we can overcome the social and relationship trauma we have experienced. Letting Positive Psychology influence the way we speak and respond to others can help. As discussed in my Positive Psychology post, Relationships are important to our overall well being. Associate ProfessorContinueContinue reading “How to Build Better Relationships with Positive Psychology”
What is Scientific Theory?
If you’re anything like me you were taught wildly inaccurate things regarding the nature of “theories”. Similarly you might be familiar with the word “hypothesis” but not understand exactly what a hypothesis is. Sometimes Fundamentalist religions deliberately cause confusion and mislead people regarding the terms. Other times confusion arises from the words being used inContinueContinue reading “What is Scientific Theory?”
What is Positive Psychology?
There are many valid criticisms of the modern day mental health field. As a mental health counselor I can attest that we have the tendency to focus on the negative. We focus on the symptoms. We focus on the problems. We pathologize and label people. Is there any alternative? Yes. It’s called positive Psychology. PositiveContinueContinue reading “What is Positive Psychology?”
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”
Ryan David Tuttle 