Prayed Upon: Breaking Free from Therapist Abuse

Amy Nordhues pt 1

  There are some people that choose a career in healthcare, mental care, public service – all because they want to help those in need. There are those that do so because they believe it will provide for a secure financial future for them and their families. There is nothing wrong with those motives. Nothing at all. In fact, if you can be of service to others and help to secure your financial future, that almost secures your career motives from the start. But there are some who enter these fields for nefarious reasons. Maybe their good intentions were the initial factors for choosing that type of career. But, somewhere along the way, they realize that, for whatever reason, they can, let’s say, “Get more of (you fill in the blank).” In some cases, this selfish motivation soon becomes their focus. It soon becomes a dark side that they “groom and prey upon” their victims. Manipulating them into providing whatever it is  they crave and all the while encouraging them to remain silent about the activities. In some cases – or most cases, even to accept the responsibility for what has happened. This becomes even more tragic, when these events happen at the intersection of power, vulnerability and religion.  Yes, religion. My guest today, Amy Nordhues, is a survivor of this type of circumstances. Amy Nordhues is a survivor of both childhood sexual abuse and sexual abuse as an adult at the hands of a mental health professional. She is a passionate Christ-follower and expert on the healing God provides. She has a BA in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Criminology. Her latest book is, “Prayed Upon: Breaking Free from Therapist Abuse” and won first place in the Inspire Christian Writer's "Great Openings" contest for non-fiction. First question I always ask is this… Other than that brief information I just shared, can you tell us in your own words, “Who is Amy Nordhues?” As I was going through this book, the abuse started back when you were three years old? Is that correct? How much did that impact you growing up? In school, middle school and high school? How old were you when you first started counseling? I know in your book, we’ll just call him, “Dr. D.”  But that was not the first time you seen him, from what I read in the beginning… Let me ask you this, why did you write this book now? At this time of your life? How did he groom you to accept what was happening as part of your therapy? He also started to share details of his life with you…more or less making it appear you were helping him as he was helping you.  Did you ever find out if any of that was true? Or did it matter? At one point, he even said you were a witch. How did that come about and what was his reasoning for saying that? Throughout your book, you mention little gifts he gave you along the way. Seemingly insignificant at face value, but they struck an emotional cord that actually drew you into his world. What should someone who is in therapy and wondering if they are facing the same thing – what should they be watching out for in this regard? When he actually committed the sexual assault, you fled. But that really affected you. But then he called you and YOU accepted responsibility for what happened!  How did he get you to do that? You say God started to deal with you in this situation through various methods. Can you share some of the ways the Lord was speaking to you during all of this? When you made the decision that enough was enough and you told the pastor and his wife, how did they react, initially?