I am concerned there may be a downside to this - transference problems, assuming a level of understanding that is NOT actually there.
Also keep in mind the ability to relate is not "understanding" in this sense, it's important but it's just having a feel for where you've been and where you're coming from. Most people here have that, they just may not necessarily have the psychological understanding. The JW history has more to do with the content rather than the psychological dynamics. There are other high-control groups that have similar issues, and if there are competent therapists who can deal with the issues but just don't know the JW stuff, it would be a good idea to take advantage of that. Realistically there are not going to be many with the background anyways.
Many people are not very analytically oriented, but it seems it only makes sense to understand the therapists theoretical orientation and how they frame things. Why not ask them, and at least do a quick google search and compare how these approaches work? It's really kind of amazing how people talk about being in therapy and say absolutely nothing about what kind of therapy it is, as if it's all the same. Being savvy about our health care includes our mental health.
BTW the Best Of thread is not loading right now..