Attack therapy is one of several pseudo-therapeutic methods described in the book Crazy Therapies. It involves highly confrontational interaction between the patient and a "therapist" or between the patient and fellow patients during group therapy, in which the patient may be verbally abused, denounced, or humiliated by the therapist or other members of the group.[1][2]
The method has been used by groups such as Synanon, Odyssey House, Excel Academy (Conroe, Texas), Straight, Inc., the John Dewey Academy, Élan School, Phoenix House, DeSisto School, Amity Circle Tree Ranch, CEDU School, Hidden Lake Academy, Cascade School, Monarch School, and similar methods have been employed in Large Group Awareness Training.[3][4][5][6]
A 1990 report by the Institute of Medicine on methods for treating alcohol problems suggested that the self-image of individuals should be assessed before they were assigned to undergo attack therapy; there was evidence that persons with a positive self-image may profit from the therapy, while people with a negative self-image would not profit, or might indeed be harmed.[2]
IoM was invoked but never defined (see the help page).The widely reported stories of abuse and violent intimidation — all were bullied into sharing their innermost secrets via "The Game," a form of attack therapy; mass beatings were administered by a group called the Imperial Marines for perceived infractions — didn't really register with her.