I had never even heard of Derek O’Neill when a friend mentioned she was going to his NYC workshop, then I received an email notifying me of it. So I thought maybe I should check out this self proclaimed “healer, spiritual teacher”, “accomplished motivational analyst, renowned psychotherapist, and inspired public speaker” (ok…ever heard of a motivational analyst?!)
So I opened the email and read the advert for his upcoming workshop “More truth will set you free”. Let’s see…more or less another “snake oil salesman “claiming to set people free from “the chains that bind them” yadda, yadda…there are as many of these guys as burgers at MacDonalds…and this stuff is fast food…but this guy says ” His message is in alignment with all the tried and tested philosophies throughout history”……..so he’s a copy cat who is just out to make a buck off vulnerable people looking for miracle???
Ok….how much is he charging for his remarkable-ness???
Here we go…from the email…
“Exchange: For live attendance, $100 until February 20 (11:59pm tonight). After February 20, exchange is $120. For non-SQ members, your live workshop registration includes a trial membership in SQ Wellness ($45 value).”
“For remote attendance, exchange is $30 for SQ members. For non-SQ members, exchange is $75 which includes a trial membership in SQ Wellness ($45 value), OR $50 without a trial membership”
Remote Attendance????????? He must mean TV? No.
Conference call? No. Must be internet/skype…No… not that either!
Here is how Derek O’Neill presents his workshop remotely:
from the email and his website…
“Attending Derek’s More Truth Will Set You Free workshops remotely is a powerful experience. Much energy and<<< benefit>>> will come to you wherever you are. When attending remotely, you can either sit quietly or in meditation at the time of the workshop and tune into the energy of the class, or you can go about your day as usual. Either way, the energy will travel directly from the workshop to you. PAY ATTENTION TO THIS: “Derek’s workshops are not broadcast on-line or otherwise videotaped”. No need to sign on through your computer or be on the phone. Just relax and enjoy the experience”.
I won’t go into telepathy or psychic transmission theories…what I’m actually amazed at is that he sets a fee for this invisible non-evidence based practice and expects to be paid for it!
He apparently believes he is a wireless device and that people should pay him for his transmission over the airwaves…can I be arrested for theft if I “tune in” without paying the workshop fee?
It gets better…go back up and read where I wrote PAY ATTENTION TO THIS again….it says “Derek’s workshops are not broadcast on-line or otherwise videotaped”. No need to sign on through your computer or be on the phone. Just relax and enjoy the experience”
….and below you see the following:
“Please note, your attendance to this workshop is subject to the following terms and conditions:
“You understand that the workshop may be <<<videotaped>>> and/or audio taped for distribution, marketing and sale. You hereby waive and assign to Born Free Now, LP, Derek O’Neill, and any other companies or individuals necessary to reproduce and market this workshop, all intellectual property rights that you may have in your image, name, voice, actions and/or words recorded in this workshop.” Nothing like a hypocritical healer!
“You agree that no one has promised or guaranteed to you any benefit<<<geez…above it says I will benefit ….even long distance!>>> from this workshop and you are attending this workshop of your own free will. You waive any and all rights for damages (physical, financial or emotional) you may claim as a result of attending this workshop. You release Derek O’Neill, Born Free Now LP and any staff or volunteers assisting the workshop from any causes of action, litigation, arbitration or claims you might have from attending this workshop. You understand that attending this workshop may substantially change your life and consciousness and you freely accept and embrace that change, regardless of any effects that such a life changing experience may create”.
“You agree that any minors attending this workshop with you under your care, custody and control will be bound by the terms herein”.
WTF???!!!!
Please all— STAY AWAY FROM BAD THERAPISTS!!!!!!!…especially those claiming to have a “cure-all”!
If they can’t be honest and straight forward in an email, I can imagine the manipulation in the “workshop”! Everyone has the right to earn a living, but offering a healing workshop “over the airwaves” and charging $50 bucks for it perhaps to some family with a terminally ill loved one laying in bed at home hoping for a miracle…is just plain scummy!
The only guarantee in remotely attending Derek O’Neill’s “truth” workshop is that you will be “set free” of $50!
here’s a link if you ‘d like to check it out yourself:
http://www.sq-wellness.com/workshops/derek-oneill-nyc-2011/
hmmm…do you think my boss will believe me if I tell him that I’m staying home tomorrow and he will benefit from my services anyway because he’s paying me?
…and another thought for all therapists con!sidering doing e-therapy/web based therapy sessions….this guy is way ahead of you! Better find out his “secret”
Here’s a link to a testimonial froma not so happy former practitioner of his “Rising Star” Healing (cult)
http://chiflow.tribe.net/thread/68ed92d0-1d65-47e4-9297-d8539f939d4c
Filed under: Buyer Beware, Mental Health, Therapy, Uncategorized | Tagged: bad therapist, boundaries, caveat emptor, choices, Connecticut, consumer protection, Derek O'Neil, experience, finding a therapist, fraud, healer, health care fraud, mental health, mental health profession, NYC, psychology, psychotherapy, spiritual healer, therapist, therapy, therapy abuse, trust, unprofessional conduct, violation, walk away from bad therapy, westport | 22 Comments »