“One poor chap committed suicide in my home. He could not, or would not, see our way of life.” – Bill Wilson, Chapter One of the Big Book of AA

“Jennifer from Saint Peters Addiction Recovery Center [12-step rehab] called to say that she had had a ‘frustrating session’ with client and requested a consultation with me. I returned call and left message” – Oona Edmands, Samaritan Counseling LCSW 2/7/14

“Client called and left message stating that he wished I would not recommend AA (as I had in my letter) as he felt it deeply contributed to his confusion. Message was cut off after two minutes. Did not return call” – Oona Edmands, Samaritan Counseling LCSW 3/20/14

“Therapists have the right to their preferred mode of treatment” – David Olsen, Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling Center of the Capital Region May 2014

Notice how she mentions that this is under David Olsen’s direction, because she knew that she needed to cover her ass because this is criminal, though her job was at stake over it. This is emotional blackmail. This letter was sent to me a day after I left a message telling my therapist that I liked talking to her because she had at one time allowed me to question AA. The counselor at SPARC, the rehab I was referred to, told me it would not be therapeutic to discuss my issues with the Step One worksheet I was given at SPARC.

“Members of Alcoholics Anonymous cannot and will not permit themselves to forget their brokenness and vulnerability. Their wounds are acknowledged, accepted, and kept visible. The capacity of one alcoholic to empathize with another is still a recognized as “building a transmission line to him”. The apparent (or presumable) effectiveness of AA’s members in the care and treatment of their fellow alcoholics is one of the great success stories of our time, and graphically illustrates
the power of wounds, when used creatively, to lighten the burden of pain and suffering. AA offers lifelong emotional support to those who explicity acknowledge their problem and admit their helplessness to face life’s stresses and temptations to regression alone.” – David Olsen, Executive Director of Samaritan Counseling Center