Finding Paradise

04/02/2024

Hey there! I am a Minnesota-based therapist, focusing on helping victims of religious trauma and the LGBTQIA+ community. This is a link to my profile on Psychology Today. If you could take a moment and click on the link, I would greatly appreciate the algorithm bump. I’ll also add a link in the comments that generates a Google search of key terms related to my profile. If you could use that to “Google” my profile as well, that would help boost search engine results.

And if you or someone you know in the state of Minnesota needs a therapist, please share this with them. Thanks!

Tyler Ahrens, Pre-Licensed Professional, Eagan, MN, 55122, (952) 900-3415, Hello there, I'm Tyler! I am a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, specializing in helping individuals with religious trauma recovery, with inclusivity and acceptance central to my entire practice. Navigating the complexi...

02/25/2023

Shunning and ostracism have severe impacts on individuals’ psychological and social well-being. Members of Jehovah’s Witnesses are subject to shunning when they do not comply with the stated doctrine or belief system. To investigate the effects of shunning, interviews with 10 former Jehovah’s ...

12/06/2022

Episode 002 aka Ethan's story. Available for the first time on YouTube. If you don't like Spotify or Google or Apple, that's kinda weird, but now you can check out this audio-only episode there.

Episode 002 coming atcha! In this episode we talk with Ethan and learn about his journey to paradise. It's not always a smooth ride, but it's a beautiful t...

12/06/2022

We released our first two episodes almost two years ago. We started out with our own stories, recorded as audio only. I always intended to get them exported for YouTube and publish them there, and it looks like today is the day. So if you prefer YouTube for your podcast listening, or you've never check out our "early stuff," here's our first episode, telling my story.

Welcome to our inaugural episode. We're so glad to have you with us. With this podcast, we hope to share some of our stories with you, and give others a pl...

12/06/2022

I didn't even know we had a for our podcast, but here we are. Granted, this doesn't include other platforms. But I didn't even know about this, so I definitely don't know what Google, Apple, PocketCasts, etc. have.

Regardless, we appreciate every one of you. And we look forward to bringing you more Finding Paradise in 2023.

11/21/2022

Here's the YouTube link for our latest episode. It's audio-only, but you can listen on YT if that's your thing. Enjoy!

Hey folks. It's been a hot minute since we've shared any new stories here, but we're gonna remedy that right meow. We're so happy to be back, and for this ep...

11/21/2022

Episode 10 is ready to go! Audio-only this time, so unfortunately you only get to hear us sounding dumb. You don't get to see it this time around. Thanks to Ocho for telling his story with us.

Hey folks. It's been a hot minute since we've shared any new stories here, but we're gonna remedy that right meow. We're so happy to be back, and for this episode we welcome our friend Ocho to the podcast. This is our first story that isn't related to growing up in the JWs. We had a great time talki...

11/20/2022

New Finding Paradise episode coming this afternoon. It's been awhile, but we're glad to be back with a new story to share with you all.

09/04/2022

It was a privilege getting to tell my story with Wendi Renay. Thank you for having me!

Former JW turned Mental Health Specialist Tyler Ahrens joins the show to talk with us about finding and navigating your way through the parenting path after ...

09/03/2022

I've been working on a couple new things, and I was able to use my new set up to record earlier. More details to come soon.

08/25/2022

Back in March, I presented a continuing education training to a group of co-workers, titled "Working With Victims of Cult or Religious Trauma." It went great, and when it was done, one of my co-workers asked for a "part two."

Today I co-presented part two. Even better, I got to present it with that same co-worker. Like last time, it was awesome, and I'm grateful to my teammate for helping me create something beneficial to other practitioners, and ultimately our current and future clients. It's been a privilege to share insight into the life of cult victims, and how to support this client population with other mental health professionals.

Alright, that's it folks. All I got. Thanks for stopping by. Go about your business, hug your people, stay hydrated, eat your veggies, etc., etc., etc.

- Tyler

08/09/2022

Some relationships are too toxic to sustain, but cutoffs may hurt well-being.

07/21/2022

This podcast has been around since I started my journey returning to grad school, so I like sharing updates with y’all.

One of the milestones that I have always been nervous about has been my ”social change portfolio.” It’s a requirement of every student in the clinical mental health counseling program, to submit their proposal to effect positive social change in their communities.

Well, I guess it’s done. I just submitted my video presentation describing my research project. The paper is titled Reducing Suicidality in Victims of Religious Trauma in the Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota Area. It’ll get feedback from other students, my professor, and in two weeks I’ll make final edits and submit for grading. Additionally, it’s being submitted for consideration to be peer-reviewed and published.

I’m excited to be one step closer to finishing this degree. I was always expecting to be done at the end of the year, but it turns out I’ll actually be finished the first weekend in November. I’ve got two weeks of these two classes left, then just two more courses (and one four-day residency) and I’m done done. So I guess I’ll celebrate finishing grad school and turning 40 on the same week. Should be a hell of a party.

Thank you to everyone who’s offered their support along the way. I can’t thank you all enough.

- Tyler

07/18/2022

To anyone that may be dealing with mental health crisis, remember the new, simple hotline number. 988.

Share this with your friends and family.

Mental health advocates hope the new hotline will make it easier to get support if you're in crisis or helping someone who is. Here's how it works and what could stand in its way.

07/12/2022

🫠

06/23/2022

After speaking with a victim advocate again this morning, I’ve decided that I’m going to start developing a non-profit organization, supporting victims of abuse and reaching out to legislators to look into sentencing guidelines for sexual offenders. I’ve seen firsthand how little support there can be for victims, and how unjust the sentencing guidelines are, and I want to change that. I’m hoping that others will help me do so.

What I’m looking for right now are people willing to act as advocates for those affected by such abuse in the JW cult. Victims come from every background, race, gender and sexual identity, and it’s important to have this same representation in the advocates available. These advocates may be asked to do anything from just being there for a victim, to helping them contact law enforcement or assistance programs, to helping support them through their legal battles. I’m also hoping for advocates skilled in writing to help with contacting legislators at various levels of government. I’m not asking for professional help (though I’m open to it if any other professionals would like to volunteer their time). All I’m looking for are people willing to support others. One thing I tell my clients all the time is that whatever the problem is, we’ll work to find the best solution together. It’s not about having all the answers, it’s about being willing to help someone find them.

At this point, it’s all a fairly rough sketch in my mind. But I know the general direction I want this to go. If you would like to help with this, or know someone who might, please reach out or pass it along to them. If you are someone that is looking for help, please reach out to see what help can be provided.

❤️ Tyler

06/23/2022

Dear Church,

You don’t get to blame Satan for sexual abuse when you created ideal conditions for it.

🔥Satan didn't create the religious beliefs, practices, and structures that dismiss, hide, and excuse abuse.

🔥Satan didn't design the religious structures that are favorable to perpetrators.

🔥Satan didn't propose "handling" religious abuse behind the closed doors of the church.

🔥Satan didn't hire lawyers to silence survivors with NDAs and tithe-funded settlements.

🔥Satan didn't forgive and quietly reassign perpetrators to new positions of power to exploit others.

🔥Satan didn't objectify victims by fixating on "purity" while systematically ignoring consent.

🔥Satan didn't weaponize forgiveness against survivors while shielding perpetrators from responsibility.

🔥Satan didn't grant religious leaders authority that can't be questioned.

🔥Satan didn't value the reputation of the church over the safety of survivors.

You did.

That’s on you.

⛪️ Satan didn't make you do it. These structures were crafted, reinforced, and defended by pastors, deacons, board members, elders, denominations, etc.

Church, you don't get to blame Satan for your support of unsafe contexts that are glaringly obvious to anyone who understands how sexual abuse works.

👹I used to believe Satan was the prince of darkness, but that was before I discovered how hard it is to shine a light into the inky darkness of some churches.

Please stop blaming Satan and take responsibility for the many ways you have dismissed, perpetuated, and excused abuse.

Here’s to being reflective and doing better.

-Brian

06/06/2022

We’re back with with another catsup. Enjoy!

In a LLLLOOOOONNNGGGGG overdue catsup, we sit down and talk about what 2022 has looked like so far. We discuss some nature, some court stuff, and live music....

06/06/2022

Lil Catsups 009 is now available in audio-only.

In a LLLLOOOOONNNGGGGG overdue catsup, we sit down and talk about what 2022 has looked like so far. We discuss some nature, some court stuff, and live music. Come sit down and hang out for awhile.

06/05/2022

06/04/2022

Last minute, but ya boi is going live with Goatlike Personality on their YouTube channel in ten minutes. Come check it out!

06/02/2022

05/29/2022

Sometimes peace is simply enjoying a cup of coffee in a new place. And sometimes finding paradise is messy as hell. Hopefully you’re able to take a moment to enjoy some peace today.

05/21/2022

So half of Finding Paradise is at a music festival tonight with another exjw friend.…. And a JW from our old congregation rang up my beer.

She’ll wake up and go to the meeting in the morning while I’m sleeping in. One of these things is better than the other.

Welcome to the weekend y’all.

05/18/2022

Hello All,

I just wanted to put out a quick message to everyone that I will be stepping away from ex-JW activism and the Finding Paradise community. It's been an interesting journey for which I am grateful and I appreciate the time we spent together, however it's time for my next chapter. I may make an appearance here and there, but will no longer be one of the three you're used to seeing on a consistent basis. I wish you all the best on your exiting and healing journeys as I pass the activism torch onto the next ones in line. May you keep evolving and finding your personal paradise.💛

Love,

Amanda

03/23/2022

Been a hell of an adventure…..

———————-

August (15) 2019:
Realize I’ve been raised in a cult.

December 2019:
Decide to leave said cult.

June 2020:
Seek therapy to deal with emotional abuse and trauma from leaving a cult. Decide to change careers to work in mental health to help other victims.

November 2020:
Begin my master’s program in clinical mental health counseling.

October 2021:
Start my first position in the mental health field.

December 2021:
My first residency as a clinical trainee.

March 23 2022:
Conducting my first training presentation to help mental health professionals better treat victims of cults and religious trauma.

———————-

… Being able to share this journey with all of you has been wonderful. I can’t thank you all enough for the support, love and encouragement. I appreciate it more than you know.

So have a great day everyone! You’re all amazing! We’ll be back with a new Finding Paradise story soon.

- Tyler

03/07/2022

Not sure who to credit for this (wasn't us🤷‍♀️) but 😂😂😂

02/24/2022

We don’t really get too political around here, but yeah.