James P. Leone, PhD

Jeff P. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

oh, i get it now. the process group we signed up for isn't what he was doing. i think he was copying a Synanon-type cult group he must have been a part of somewhere before. thinking it is smart and gets results, but he cant disclose it obviously because nobody would consent to it. definitely an old school Attack Group/Encounter Group from the 1970s. stuff that was found to have disastrous results and  banned by the APA and legally. he mentioned being part of a 'sit in the chair and get attacked by everyone' group in his 20s ... read more

Hello! 

on Birdeye

a year ago

ehhgg.. can you really prove psychopathic-abuse in therapy though in court? good luck with that. however, if fine noble knights like you had sued him all along - he wouldnt be doing this trash, his insurance premiums would be to high.  

Claire H. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

well yes. he literally said ' a good therapist sits in your mind and helps you make decisions - for years after you leave therapy - if the therapist was good - you keep the therapist in your head and consult him when you are making daily decisions ' - that is NOT something I ever expected or was told about when joining his therapy.  and yes in between us - him inflicting his personality onto you is not any kind of consent I ever was informed about when starting.  he literally brags about 'yes, he is manipulative' and you 'ha... read more

Jeff P. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

'ALIENATED, NON-COOPERATIVE, ABUSE MODE' for forever after is what leon and his his psychopathic personality and malfeasant therapy put you into - for forever after - a permanent mental injury indeed.  

Claire H. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

EVERYONE in his groups were alienated from their parents. EVERYONE. WTF. It can't be just the reality of being a millennial and seeking out a group like that. Everyone also became more and more mean and neglectful of their parents too. We went from physically separated from parents to mentally alienated from them and attached to therapist-daddy who encouraged and praised us to abuse our parents and grandparents, violating state dementia training in the process (reportable). Is it projection on his part because he switche... read more

Hello! 

on Birdeye

a year ago

Like a sort of PTSD-anxiety he instilled in me, that I think something bad will happen if I don't go all Leon-mode on people. And.. even for us to say we mimicked our therapist is highly inappropriate. You are not supposed to take on your therapist's personality! We never signed up for that. Shows that man had psychopath-level influence powers. Your therapist isn't your parent or peer (he tried to appear as both btw) and you aren't supposed act and live like them. This is some unique brainwashing and influence. I became ... read more

Jeff P. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

I was from mirroring him (and following his instructions) essentially being dishonest and teasing people, tricking them, just to be a dick and keep them in the dark. For a sense of power and like dumb stupid sadism. It is unnecessary and actually always unnecessary, unless you are a fake therapist trying to fool people in your office. I wonder if this sadism was to trauma bond people in a way they don't notice, accept and let you do it. I think charm and trauma bond was like his #1 goal.  

Claire H. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

I always thought he used body language and movement to distract and supplement his words. His nonverbal behaviour was often so convincing and diverting that clients didn't recognise he was being deceitful. For example, 'Leon, what you are doing is medically unethical and may be malpractice,' Leon: 'Enough X, what is this really about??' Like lip smacking, leaning back and smiling, wiggling his pen, putting up his feet - all theatrics when he was trying to win someone over or was lying and distracting the person from explorin... read more

Jeff P. 

on Birdeye

a year ago

I think Jim appears as this friendly amazing affectionate guy, who cycles like John Kerry, and does big Italian pasta dinners, likes to travel to Ireland and Martha's Vineyard. He does this amazing thing with the groups - helping transform people and teach them about life - he loves psychology and teaching as an adjunt professor of introductory psychology classes at a community college (for $5,000 per year, no benefits) - and teaches HARVARD (unpaid) psychiatry students on a drop-in clinical experiential experience basis - ... read more