Personal Agency vs. Spiritual Authority

Today we speak with Alan Allard.  Alan was a psychotherapist in private practice for 12 years in the Chicago suburbs. Since 2005 he has been a coach and is an expert in helping abuse and trauma victims take ownership of their life and begin to thrive. He works with clients who have experienced sexual abuse, abusive relationships, adverse childhood experiences, and especially spiritual and religious abuse.

More specifically, Alan has spent many years as a therapist or coach to members of the ICOC or similar religious organizations.  It should also be mentioned that he was a member of the ICOC in Chicago, from 1987 until the year 2000.  

Alan speaks to us today about those days when he was a therapist, in part, to members of the ICOC and how what was discussed in his therapy sessions was a contradiction with what the church taught.

Alan discusses the concept of Personal Agency vs. Spiritual Authority and how the latter has been used to undermine the former.  

Alan further explains that if one isn’t the authority in their own life, then they will find someone or something to fill that void.  

He also speaks to us about the idea of blind obedience or toxic trust and it’s potential harmful impact within the context of spiritual authority.  

Alan is the author of Enlightened Happiness: Seven Secrets to the Life You Were Meant to live available on amazon.com. To get in contact with Alan, you can reach him at AlanAllard.com or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanallard/.  He has a private Facebook group, "Growing Through Adversity: How to Own Your Life and Thrive you are welcome to check out--contact Alan for a link to the group.