Ah, 2026. The year of "global consciousness rising," where we've supposedly learned to spot coercive control, cult-like dynamics, and trauma-washing from a mile away.
Yet here we are, still unpacking glowing endorsements from credentialed folks who should've known better.
Enter Dr. Jen Hammersmark, licensed therapist/writer/skier/entrepreneur (per her own bio). Back in January 2016, she penned a sunny Medium piece titled "John Volken Academy" after a "fantastic tour" guided by none other than Darren Phillips (Program Director and alleged success story). She marveled at the "exceptionally polite" residents with "impeccable manners," the strict rules that build "healthy boundaries," the blackout periods, monitored letters/calls, endless work in subsidized stores, and how the program is "free" (aside from that pesky intake fee).
She even quoted her colleague approvingly: "We need a menu of options... finding the right fit."
Her takeaway? "A very worthy cause."
Shop at their store! Donate! Tour it yourself!
Fast-forward to now: The Canadian sites (Surrey/Langley) were ordered shut down in 2025 after government findings of excessive unpaid labor (48–56 hours/week), safety violations (including a resident gored by a water buffalo), injuries, lack of protections, and a punishment-over-therapy vibe.
Founder John Volken dropped his appeal...no fight left as he shifts the same operation elsewhere, less than 50 miles away on a former water buffalo farm? Meanwhile, U.S. locations (Arizona, Utah, Washington) keep rolling, with reports of rebranding in BC and zero public remorse.
And yet Dr. Jen's bio still proudly states she uses "skiing, books, movies, and real people to help curb the pains of life." Amen to that...if only she'd applied the same lens to the real people in JVA, many of whom emerged alienated, traumatized, or worse. Survivors describe isolation, coercion, unqualified "counselors" (former participants with zero clinical training), sexual harassment allegations, family disruptions, and patterns echoing human trafficking via forced labor under "treatment" guise.
A licensed doctor praising a program with such obvious red flags (strict conformity, monitored everything, two-year full-time lock-in, "learning experiences" that sound a lot like Synanon punishment) while residents share horror stories? Makes total sense in the old paradigm.
In 2026? Not so much. This isn't about canceling Dr. Jen (she can keep skiing and writing). It's about accountability. If professionals with titles sign off on places like this without digging deeper, no wonder trust in the mental health field is in the gutter.
We've seen the receipts: sealed suits, deaths post-program, fraud (back-dated CARF accreditations), and endless survivor emails.
The petition stands. Sign, share, speak up. Because "the hardest program out there" shouldn't mean hardest to escape because they took your passport or hardest to hold accountable because they're well-connected.
If you've been affected, message me: ultra.elevens0i@icloud.com
Anonymity protected. Pieces are coming together.
Stay conscious,
Clelia Jane (Conned Pollyana)
Link to Article .pdf in case it's removed: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pfUfoFFaE5X9MCbN25kWDmnnxfZBB4PB/view?usp=sharing