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| Beware of Magical Cures
by John M. Curtis Copyright May 2, 2001
Nestled in the Colorado foothills, Evergreen is a magnet for alternative therapies, including the unproven practice known as “rebirthing”—an archaic theory and practice originated by Otto Rank, a renegade Viennese psychiatrist and onetime disciple of Sigmund Freud who believed that all neurosis [less serious forms of mental illness] stemmed from birth trauma. Discredited more than 80 years ago by organized psychiatry, fringe groups scraped up its remnants from the dustbin of history, cobbling together loose techniques designed to offer magical thinkers an alternative to conventional therapy. Avoiding mundane biochemical explanations and drug treatments, “rebirthing” offers the fantasy of a “corrective experience,” without scientific evidence to back it up. Still in denial, it’s tempting to blame mental conditions on variants of “demonic possession,” rather that accept the cold reality of faulty biochemistry and bad genes. With the best of intentions, Mrs. Newmaker’s poor judgment resulted in her daughter’s suffocation and unwarranted death. Swaddling young Candice in a flannel blanket and squeezing her with large bolsters, pseudo-therapist Connell Watkins, 54, and her assistant Julie Ponder, 40, suffocated their patient during their “rebirthing” therapy. Undaunted by Candice’s screams, the zealous therapeutic duo performed their deadly procedure without interruption. Caught on videotape, they told their young patient that she would have to die to be reborn. “You mean like you want me to die for real?” Candice asked, demonstrating her fight for survival, despite her therapists’ outrageous comments. Ponder, who was perched on top of the 10-year-old, replied, “Uh-huh.” “Die right now and go to heaven?” asked Candice. “Go ahead and die right now,” replied Ponder, apparently believing that her words were largely symbolic, since rebirthing metaphorically involves a death and rebirth. Observing the “game,” Candice’s mother said she looked forward to holding her newborn baby in her arms. After about 50 minutes with her daughter no longer making a peep, Connell and Ponder unfurled their lifeless patient. Mrs. Newmaker screamed, Oh no, God, she’s dead!” Convicted of reckless child abuse resulting in death, both Watkins and Ponder face long sentences on June 18. Watkins was also convicted of unlawfully practicing psychotherapy, despite the fact that “rebirthing” isn’t considered psychotherapy. Predators like Watkins masquerade as professionals, even though they don’t hold licenses or use accepted techniques. “I hope this sends a clear message that children should not be treated that way in the name of psychology or psychotherapy,” said Jefferson County deputy district attorney Steve Jensen, expecting the conviction to have deterrent value. All too often, unsuspecting patients seek the services of un-credentialed charlatans, because they refuse to accept the wisdom of conventional treatment. Mrs. Newmaker also faces her own charges for criminally negligent child abuse having voluntarily exposed her daughter to such unacceptable dangers. Before parents allow eccentric beliefs to dictate care for their children, they should be reminded that they’re still accountable to state child abuse laws. Whether it’s under the guise of religion or family traditions, parents aren’t at liberty to impose idiosyncrasies on their offspring without balancing parental rights against common sense, community standards, and what’s best for the child. Mrs. Newmaker went over the deep end opting for “rebirthing” over conventional psychiatry. A little medication might have done the trick for her hyperactive 10-year-old. Like anything else, you can’t rely on the judgments of snake oil salesmen, whose major mission is fleecing needy people. Sure, Candace had some problems. But that didn’t give Mrs. Newmaker the right to endanger her daughter by stepping outside the bounds of safe and effective treatment. Speaking to the jury in his closing arguments, Watkins and Ponder’s attorney claimed “that this was not child abuse. This was done for therapy. This was done for all the best intentions—to try to make sure that the child got a chance.” While they gave it their best shot, the jury didn’t buy their arguments. After the verdict was read, crocodile tears rolled down Watkins and Ponder’s cheeks, as they realized it was their time to face the music. Even con artists eventually get their comeuppance Roaming the streets, social predators, con artists, and, yes, charlatans pounce on innocent victims, usurping their sexuality, bank accounts and physical health. No one is immune to victimization, but certain basic precautions should be taken—including questioning the “altruistic” motives of individuals promising more than they can deliver. Whether it’s in health care, religion, finances, politics or social situations, savvy individuals know that most smooth talking devils are out for themselves. While we’d all like to believe in magical cures, common sense tells us that there’s a heavy price paid for suspending disbelief. Without paranoia, it’s only prudent to question the motives of individuals making grandiose promises. Especially when it comes to medical fairytales, experimenting with unconventional treatments can cost lots of money and sometimes your life. For 10-year old Candace Newmaker, it’s already too late. For others daring to question false promises, they’re one step closer to breaking the cycle. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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romising magical cures, exploiting desperate people, and delivering dangerous treatments should be a flashing red light to patients considering unconventional therapies. When there’s an unmet need, charlatans come out of the woodwork, offering salvation but rarely delivering anything other than financial ruination and greater misery. Whether it’s medical or psychological, fringe therapies often carry dangerous risks and dicey therapeutic benefits. Such was the case with 10-year-old Candice Newmaker whose adopted mother, Jean, was at her wits end because of her daughter’s uncontrollable behavior. Misdiagnosed with the relatively rare childhood condition known as “reactive attachment disorder,” the preadolescent exhibited “wild” aggression, at least according to her mother. Unwilling to accept more mundane diagnoses like attention deficit disorder [ADD], some people prefer to attribute common conditions to mystical causes. Claiming that conventional therapy failed, Mrs. Newmaker traveled from the North Carolina, to the Rocky Mountain community of Evergreen, Co., for what became a fatal miscalculation on April 19, 2000.|
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