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 Web References

1. 1. Who Is Beth Young? Author, Speaker, Artist

   www.beth-young.com/beth.html - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/1/2005   Last Visited: 1/27/2007

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   Are you asking, who am I and am I qualified to talk about the psychosocial dynamics of manipulation and coercive persuasion? Well, that's a question with a complex answer. *grin* Many experts derive their knowledge from formal education and then from professional observation. I do have that, but that is not the foundation of my knowledge or my understanding.
   
   TOP:
   
   Personal Experience:
   
   Herein is the secret to my understanding of the dynamics of ultra-authority and manipulation. When I was in my mid-twenties, I was caught by an ultra-authority who was based in Canada. I was held within this man's control for about a year and a half, moving from the softening up stage all the way to full consolidation. My parents were highly alarmed by the changes in my personality and my health (I dropped weight at a breakneck pace). My mother contacted an author who had a book out on cults, and through much perseverance she found an exit counselor for me. I was involuntarily exited out of my ultra-authority's control in the mid-1980's, after which I went to a safehouse/recovery program for another two weeks.
   
   While I was there at Unbound, I received the benefit of a great deal of information. Due to circumstances, this included information from the domestic violence agency in their area, as well. Even with the best information there was available, however, I recognized that it wasn't enough.
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   I had to answer, completely, the how's and why's of the process that had stripped my very self away from me.
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   Prior to my involvement with an ultra-authority, I graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Art in studio ceramics. My goal at that time was to earn an MFA and teach studio ceramics at the collegiate level. After having gone through the crucible, however, my goals shifted. I was driven to both understand completely, and to try and help others understand what happens to get people to relinquish all control over themselves and their lives.
   
   With that in mind, I returned to school and picked up a number of undergraduate courses in social work and psychology. I then went back into being a full-time student, earning a Master of Art degree in clinical psychology.
   
   TOP:
   
   Professional Experience:
   
   After completing my degree, I began working as Registered Master's Level Psychologist in the state of Kansas. It was wonderful experience, but I found that it was also highly demanding. There was no time nor energy left most days for research or serious contemplation into manipulation. I had to sit down and seriously evaluate if the profession of clinical psych was where I should be, given my true goals. The answer was no. I had learned a great deal, having worked extensively with some of the toughest clients, including survivors of sexual abuse and sexual offenders. That work was highly valuable in that it honed skills and deepened insights, but it wasn't what I needed to do.
   
   I left Kansas and began plowing into serious independent study.
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   I worked on healing my own damages, and I helped others as well as they moved through their own recovery process. I noted everything I observed, both from within myself and from others. I acted as a peer counselor and information source. And the Integrated Model slowly came into being and shaped itself into what you'll find now.
   
   I still act as a peer counselor and informational source and also speak and write on manipulation, ultra-authority, human interactions and the human psyche. I continue to be an active artist, working mainly in drawing media and acrylics.