All of the way through my Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral studies, the condition known then as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) never came up. So years later, when I heard a lecture about it, and realized that I was treating two people with this condition, I rushed out to get educated.  That was in 1987. There was practically nothing available in writing at that time, especially for Christian counselors. I shared my initial research among the Shepherd’s House counselors, and we discovered that we had more than 20 cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), which was the new name. We worked creatively and energetically as a team, put together a groundbreaking diagnostic approach, and came up with guidelines in treatment, based on our expanding experience. I was selected by the team to present our findings to a Christian Counseling conference, and our approach took off unbelievably. Soon I was featured at a national conference on the Spiritual and Psychological Dimensions of Evil. The Shepherd’s House approach was acclaimed to be an accomplishment, and the conference attendees suggested that I should write a book about treating MPD.  I was not ready for that, as I was not an author. But a few months later I began to write this book, which took three years to complete.

While writing, I had to face all of my fears: Psychologists would go after my license because I was using prayer for healing, Christian leaders would denounce me because I was bringing Psychology into the Christian domain, and Satanists would threaten to harm my family. These fears all turned out to be well founded, but even during my writing, the Lord let me know that I need not fear. If what I write is true, that will be enough. The truth will allow others who see it, to say so, and it will allow them to discuss it, so that they can become better equipped as helpers. My fears have never returned. God is with me, and after six books and more than 100 presentations to counselors and clients on treatment for DID, there is a growing consensus that this book is helpful because it is accurate, and because it includes psychological and spiritual insights in treatment. See what you think.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

“An excellent but naturally anecdotal, subjective book on a major frontier for both religion and psychiatry, pointing to the desperate need for scientific research on the subject of demonic possession in all of its ramifications. When will we listen? When are we going to get serious about looking at this reality?”

            M. Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled and People of the Lie

“Jim Friesen’s account is not easy to read, but it is becoming all too familiar. This book not only provides encouragement for the lonely and isolated victims of satanic ritual abuse but it is also vitally instructive for counselors who work with dissociative states and multiple personality disorder.”

            Walter Lin, Ph.D., Director, Genesis Counseling Services.

“Jim Friesen’s clinical expertise and spiritual maturity put him at the forefront of those therapists working with MPD. This book will educate, amaze and inspire you!”

            Sandra D. Wilson, Ph.D., Author and Family Therapist

“It has taken fifty years for society to awaken to the reality of child abuse. Hopefully it will take only a fraction of that time for us to become aware of the reality of satanic ritual abuse. This book will carry us a long way toward that goal.

H. Newton Malony, Ph.D. , Professor of Psychology, Fuller Theological

            Seminary, Graduate School of Psychology

“Dr. Friesen has described one of the least understood yet most destructive sources of emotional terror and anguish that can occur for humans. His presentation of satanic ritual abuse and the resultant psychological defense of multiple personality disorder (MPD) is clear and persuasive without drawing on sensationalism.  The interested reader will gain a significant understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of MPD and will more easily recognize the place for spiritual intervention.”

            Grant L. Martin, Ph.D.,  Author and Psychologist, Crista Counseling Service