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 inContinue reading “My History as a Jehovah’s Witness”
Tag Archives: XJW
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 maintainingContinue 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. Continue 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!
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 whatContinue 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 wereContinue 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 experiencesContinue 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.
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 inContinue 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. PositiveContinue reading “What is Positive Psychology?”
Ryan David Tuttle 