I knew there would be some of you out there that knew him! I don't care if your experience was good or bad, personally, I would like to here them anyway (BigTex and Valis)! I have heard it all too, but it has been a very long time! No psychologist or therapist is good for everyone, so I am glad to hear that he is still helping JWs. They are a very under-served group (of their own doing). I have never heard about the lawsuit. That is very sad! I think I was still around when the program started to fall apart. I heard about the conflicts that were being discussed over patient confidentiality and elder issues, since David was an elder. I think he wanted to respect the confidential relationship, but was feeling pressure not to. I also heard of Dr. Pichionni's high divorce rate of his patients. Personally, if his patients were anything like my parents, I say yeah to him! (He did not counsel them for marriage, though, he told my mother to flat out leave him!)
I was just a kid when I was in the middle of all that "fiasco", as someone called it. (I was 16.) My mom and I ended up calling Grapevine our home. Pichionni dealt more with my mother than me, so I cannot speak much as to how "good" he was, but his program (for better or worse) was instrumental in getting my mother out of a 30 year abusive relationship with my dad (who was an elder for years!) Maybe I can tell the whole story when I am up to it, but I have often wondered about some of the people that I met there and wondered where they are.
Personally, I did get the help I needed, but not from Dr. P. He was just the catalyst that brought us to the facility, I guess. I am sure he was in it for the money (most professionals are, to some extent), but I respect him for trying to work with such a large population of whacked out people. I remember his "Sunday Aftercare Program". Anybody could come, whether you had ever been a patient of his or not. I did learn a lot about family dynamics and the roles in "dysfunctional" families.
I was so young (and admitted pretty traumatized) during part of that time, that I may not remember your name, but who knows! I may have been sitting right next to you!
Did anybody know the Neeces? Amy and Mike? I know they are divorced now, but I would love to get in contact (if they will talk to me!) I was also good friends with Terri, but I can't remember her last name. I think she is still a full blown JW living in Minnesota. :(
Edited to add: It's Wild THING, not Wild FIRE!
