>I've always heard
>that, for instance, traditional counseling
>involves BOTH parties and that
>the counselors are supposed to
>GUIDE and NOT TELL their
>clients what to do in
>life. I understand that
>this isn't counseling, but in
>a way I would think
>has the same kind of
>elements.

BRAVO! You hit the proverbial nail on the proverbial head! Sign of "bad counselor?" He or she gives a client "advice." Bad, bad, bad...!!
>
>I find IVs exercises especially humilitating
>and sometimes cruel.

ME TOO!

If
>I ever had a counselor
>that would be so abusive,
>I'd drop that 'professional' like
>a hot potato.

GOOD! So, if you ever need a counselor, you know who NOT to hire! Goody! the SOH is teaching you something useful!

It's
>almost as if they are
>encouraged at the SOH to
>be brainwashed and not have
>any of their own original
>thoughts.

They are, and as you say below: "Resistant to the process." I am starting to see the LC's as being similiar to the Borg race from Star Trek, who go around taking over other individuals to turn them into Borg. What do they say when they board their ships? "Resistance is futile! Assimilate or die!" (A whole new way of looking at "You are FIGHTING for your LIFE!" eh?)

Afterall, the coaches
>are the "EXPERTS". NOT!

Right. Not! I think I've seen their degrees in the 50 cent bubble gum machine that sits in front of WalMart. (Dr. Stan excepted, of course.)

And if they disagree,
>they are either punished or
>told that they are resistant
>to growing and changing.

Or, threatened with removal. Or, given a more humiliating exercise. Or, down-graded at a BOR, Or, perpetually gossipped about, Or, ? name your own, here.