Ren Shapiro
ESAAlliance Treasurer: 2023 - Present
The Insight Program Group Member: 1999 - 2004
I was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and joined The Insight Program (formerly Atlanta Insight) in 1999 when I was 13 years old. I graduated from The Group in 2004 at 19 years old, after 5 years and 3 months. As early as I can remember, I was defiant towards my parents and most authority figures. I entered the group because my parents exhausted most methods and treatment options available to me as a “troubled teen”.
I was first introduced to The Group at 12 years old when I was a patient at a behavioral health facility. There was an Insight staff member at that facility that recruited patients at that time. I remember hearing that if I joined The Group, I would no longer have a curfew and they would convince my mom to buy me cigarettes. I was sold on this promise and my mom did just that after our first meeting.
At that meeting, I was also introduced to a private school The Group recommended I attend. I was pulled out of my middle school and enrolled in the private school immediately. After being in The Group for 6 months, I wanted to leave and the staff counselors convinced my mom to kick me out of our home until I decided to rejoin.
Threatened with homelessness in Atlanta, I rejoined The Group the next day. Over the next few years, I stayed sober while remaining in The Group and did my best to work their program. I witnessed and experienced racism, sexism, homophobia, gaslighting…The list goes on. I continued to be manipulated to believe that I was a “drug addict” and I would die without The Group. I am a survivor of this destructive cult that preys on vulnerable, desperate, and caring parents that just want their child to be safe.
I sought out therapy after being out of The Group for a couple of years. At our first appointment, the therapist informed me that I was in a cult, NOT a rehab. The moment I accepted that fact, I began my healing path and continue to do my best to undo the harm that was caused by their methods. I am grateful for the generation of survivors that were able to start and maintain this powerful movement. I am committed to exposing the abuse and immoral practices that are used as treatment methods.
I moved to Austin, Texas in 2016 and I love this city so much. I work for a local vodka distillery here in Austin and I love my job very much. In my free time I enjoy watching live music, allll the TV, traveling, and I’m actively involved in Burning Man associated events. I love my life today and I’m happy to be a part of this movement to end the abuse that is endured in the Troubled Teen Industry.
Contact Ren
info@esaalliance.org