Ron Burks, Ph.D.
holds an
M. Div. and an M.A. in counseling from Asbury
Theological Seminary and a Ph. D. in Counselor
Education from Ohio University. His
dissertation is entitled, “Cognitive Impairment
in Thought Reform Environments.” He is licensed
in Ohio as a Professional Clinical Counselor and
has worked at Wellspring Retreat and Resource
Center in Albany, OH, since 1993, researching
the emotional aftereffects of cults and
counseling ex-cultists with the psychological
and spiritual issues of recovery. Dr. Burks was
involved in the Fort Lauderdale/Shepherding
movement for 17 years. After exiting the group,
he and his wife, Vicki, shared their experiences
in Damaged Disciples: Casualties of
Authoritarian Churches and the Shepherding
Movement, published by Zondervan. Their
book has been helpful for many recovering from a
variety of authoritarian Bible-based groups.
Ron Burks, Ph.D.