Any current reviews? Please post in comments below. You can check out the FAQ and Guidelines for suggested questions. Thank you!
—
current reviews? please let us know which location, thanks!
CALIFORNIA 2010
I graduated from the CA home in March 2010, but am still in touch with more recent graduates and staff members.
1) Yes, but the 6 months thing isn’t a “hard rule.” It’s typically 6 months, plus or minus. I graduated in 5.5 months, for example. Others might take less time, and some might be there for 8-9 months.
2) Not in the typical sense. Before you graduate, you go through some classes to prepare you, as well as the opportunity to go online in the computer lab to search for a living situation, home church, work, school, etc. Also, sometimes, if you need to start over and stay in the area (around the Mercy home you go to), they can find a host family for you to stay with (typically friends of Mercy or the local church)!
3) Cell phone access and computer access is limited to when you’re on passes with family. However, like I mentioned above, you can use the computer before you graduate to look for schools, living situations, home church, and work.
4) Individual therapy is once a week (sometimes twice), but there’s more staff to talk to throughout the day and week.
5) There is not a medical doctor or psych at the home; however, they will take you to the doctor, hospital, or psychiatrist if you need it. There is a nurse and/or staff member that is trained to give medication while you’re there.
CANADA 2011
Hi! I graduated from the first canadian mercy home on april 1st 2011, and i can tell you it WORKS. It was the most amazing blessed experience of my life, and they really do deal with the root issues. i was there for severe bulimia for 7 months, and I gave my eating disorder completely over to God. Mercy definitely is a Christian-based program, but you certainly don’t have to be a Christian do go. many girls i graduated with actually made a pact that they “wouldn’t get sucked in to the religious crap”, lol!! But even they couldn’t deny the love of Jesus when they experienced Him firsthand in their own ways! Your daughter would be in amazing hands at Mercy, and I would encourage you to help her apply to one of the american homes as Mercy canada doesn’t take girls younger than 17 i think. however, SHE needs to be the one wanting to get help, because they aren’t interested in just sending you off with a mealplan that you’ve learned to follow… they work with you, and position you to recieve from God and experience what it’s like to be loved by the One who brought you into existance simply because he loves you. Its important to realize that secular programs usually accomplish temporary behaviour modification, whearas mercy is interested in complete HEART TRANSFORMATION, and they teach that only God can get inside the human heart and change the nature of it. And from a girl who has lived there for 7 months, I can tell you that it DOES happen, it DOES work, and LIVES ARE CHANGED!! you get a graduation date when they see that you are living your life completely free of unhealthy coping mechanisms for, oh i dunno, at least a month in the program. nobody leaves the mercy with a mealplan as part of their aftercare… by the time you are doing aftercare planning you’ve been off couch and mealplans for a long time and you are now looking at what church you’re going to go to, where you’re gonna live, if you’re gonna go to school, figuring out an accountability partner… they are VERY thorough. please call them and ask them whatever questions you have. they are so willing to help!! and yes the application takes a while, but they are weeding out the girls who actually are willing to put in the effort to do the work that the program demands. Mercy isn’t easy, but it is the most wonderful feeling when, after months of just doing what youre told and not feeling anything different, you all of a sudden start to see the fruits of your labour in what you believe about yourself. and man oh man, it is SO good…. I will be praying for you and your daughter and the rest of your family. eating disorders don’t have to end with just managing symptoms or getting “better”. there IS complete freedom out there, but ONLY through Jesus Christ. and i’m not talking religion that tries to put God in a box, but I’m talking about personally knowing Jesus on a level where you KNOW that you KNOW that you KNOW that He loves you, and that just as there is a place in your heart that only God can fill, there is a place in God’s heart that only YOU can fill. This love is what they try to translate to you at Mercy. Seriously, anything bad you read about Mercy is from girls who left the program in rebellion and are now very bitter and are still being influenced by their issues. Praying for you, and GOD BLESS!!
-A Mercy Graduate 
I recently spoke with them and was told you would be automatically discharged for not completing meals (they did not specify how much/ how long but it seemed as though it was pretty quick) and that at the meals you were expected to be “grateful” for each meal and absolutely nothing negative about meals (and was told this could also be a reason for discharge) from my conversations with them it does not seem to be very ED friendly at all this is just a snapshot of what rose red flags for me and I felt the need to share
Wow, that doesn’t even sound faith-based. It sounds “cultish” and could really do some damage! Thanks for sharing.
This is an excellent and well-researched article. I personally know two of the women in this article, and can vouch for what occurred to them:
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/cover_story/2016/04/at_mercy_multiplied_troubled_young_women_come_to_believe_their_mental_health.html
Wow, thank you for sharing this L. I remember reading a book by the founder 20 years ago when I was a teen. I’m so grateful you made your way to this community and are looking for treatment. You deserve so much better. And you deserve to get better!
This line in the article made shivers run through my body, I was so disturbed:
“Mercy doesn’t require its counselors to be licensed mental health practitioners, which Mercy’s executive director, confirmed in an email. Moreover, Mercy’s licensed counselors or those in training are forbidden to practice psychotherapy, alleges one former counselor who worked for the organization between 2011 and 2012. ‘They say they do clinical interventions, but I wasn’t allowed to use my clinical experience,’ she says… Instead, the counselor said, executives in Nashville instructed her to walk each woman through the same seven-step counseling model and assign a prescribed regimen of readings, response papers, and audio sermons.”
And it is absolutely the truth that “counselling” is little more than reading evangelists’ books, listening to CDs with them preaching, writing responses to your books and audio, doing Biblical assignments if you screw up (like I did not respect the staff’s “godly authority” once and had to find Bible verses that talked about how we should be careful how we speak), and chores. We also went to church twice per week and did praise/worship. You can’t bring any non-religious books with you, can’t bring any non-religious music, and when we got to watch movies (rarely) they were always Lifetime/Hallmark G/PG-rated.
I spent time in 2 of the Mercy Homes and am part of the Mercy Survivors group because YES, they ARE cultish.
You can’t run a home for people with mental health issues and not have any of your staff trained in mental health.
Most of the rules and regulations are made up by staff that doesn’t really know what they’re doing, they just want to control you.
I refused to be brainwashed and it got me kicked out. TWICE.
Personally I did not ever go to mercy ministries, but what I can tell you is that back in 2015 I spent about 5 months going through their long and tedious application process. One day I got a phone call that basically said they did not accept me. They did not provide an explanation but for someone with trust issues this was hard for me, considering I spent so long on the application process and I had put my hopes into this program. Looking back I am very glad I did not go here. I hear they are cult like and force their extremist beliefs on you. If you are part of the LGBT population they will at that as something you need to “change” too. I heard from other people that have been there that their form of therapy is giving you bible assignments and readings from christian extremists.
And to add to that their “counselors” are not licensed and are only required to have a bachelors degree. This place seems awful and disturbing and I caution anyone who is thinking of that place.
Hello. A good friend of mine is seriously looking into Mercy Multiplied for treatment. Due to the fact she only has medicaid which does not cover residential treatment as far as we can find out. I’ve seen so many mixed and extremely good/ extremely bad reviews and news stories about spiritual abuse and other things going on there. Recently I know it changed its name from Ministries to multiplied. I’d really like honest as balanced as possible reviews from anyone who’s gone there recently like in the last year or so? This would be incredibly helpful. My friend has other issues PTSD, mood disorder, self harm ETC. She’s very vulnerable as I would asume the majority of girls/ women entering the program would be and I don’t want her to come out worse. However as time goes on and she loses more weight feels more and more out of control with her eating ETC I’m wondering if some treatment is better than none and so want to know the good and bad points. Thank you.
Their eating disorder treatment is awful they shouldn’t even be listed as eating disorder treatment. Their promised healing is false. Every overweight girl goes there including myself will experience the shame and humiliation I felt. They try make girls believe that Mercy is the last hope for them. They fill them with lies that they will never make if mercy doesn’t work. While I was there they try make my BMI my worth. Thankfully I saw past their crap load of lies. Do not trust this ministry.Free comes with a price tag.. for me it almost ruined my life.
I went into mercy with a 4 year long battle with an eating disorder. I went in pretty skeptical but extremely hopeful. Finally I felt that I could possibly be free of this life I had become enslaved to. At first, I took a long time to eat and I tried refusing meals. (They do not tolerate this. Although kind, I was made aware that if I wanted to stay, I would be required to eat.) So I did. Even in the midst of my tears, my fear, and my anger, I ate. With the encouragement of the staff and the nutritionist who was so wise and shared a holistic view of food, I overcame! With the help of the Lord, I began realizing that the chains that once held so tight were falling off. Around 4 months, I was taken off “plate check” and was allowed to make my own food decisions. I felt ready and empowered to take this next step in recovery. There were times it was difficult to make the right choice but I always had staff encouraging me and pushing me to pursue recovery. I graduated a year and a half ago after 6 months in the program and I still walk in the freedom I found at mercy. Don’t get me wrong, I have stumbled and given into eating disorder behaviors a couple of times. However, each time I fell, I realized that I wanted freedom. I remembered the way that I felt on the day that graduated the program; like I could accomplish anything. So, through my ongoing recovery, I have made mistakes but I can say that I do not suffer from an eating disorder. I am free, loved, and an overcomer. I LOVE mercy ministries and would encourage those who are seriously looking for help to go.
Can you talk more about the food situation and meal plans
This is an old question, but I can respond. Some people end up on food duty, and you aren’t really monitored (so if you struggle with BED or BN, this can be a nightmare). The staff is not really trained to deal with meal planning, so if you’re very underweight, they may end up just starting you off on a regular amount of food (they don’t really talk about calories or anything- you’re just supposed to know your own portions? It’s so weird). It was only after I asked the nurse (during her brief time in her office before leaving as she was not onsite) about refeeding syndrome that suddenly my portions were whacked in half and I was left STARVING. Staff members often made awful comments on how much food you’d take or something, and make you put some back if you got a little “extra.” They shamed those with BED who were overweight. ***, the founder, even came to visit one and joked, “We should get rid of these big plates; we might terrify the poor anorexics. Haha.” A lot of the “positive reviews” that you see just quote the BS that the staff members drill into your head about “freedom” and “overcoming.” You are asked to write a testimony before “graduating” and they give you buzzwords to include in your speech, even. It’s so phony and cultish. It took me a good 3 years before I could get free of the religious brainwashing they do there.
***name redacted by admin per site policy
I am aware that Mercy is NOT being honest about their “success” rates. Many (though not all) women return to their old behaviors, which would indicate far less success and transformation than is promised.
Mercy is certainly able to help some women, but not as many as they suggest. Women suffering severe eating disorders, or other severe traumas, would be better served to go elsewhere, as Mercy is ill-equipped to help with those things. Donors would be advised to give to other organizations until Mercy walks in honesty and transparency.
I’m confused. Is it a cult or a holistic program designed to heal young women and girls from unplanned pregnancies, drug/alcohol abuse,cutting/self- injury, eating disorders, sex trafficking etc..?!? I’d really prefer the reviews and comments ONLY from the females who have been there, done that. Families comments are insightful,hopeful and heart warming as well. I have read the scandals about Mercy but it seems to me that these things, if they are true..took place in the 70’s and 80’s and also I think it was mostly in Australia,Sydney..I’m not sure but please for the love of God… ONLY comments from ppl who have been there or families who have sent there daughters there. No need from the critics and peanut gallery.
My daughter was in IP with a young woman age 21 who had been ill with ED since 11, in and out of treatment. After IP, the young woman went to Mercy and stayed for about 6 months. She actually blogged about her experiences there. Her experiences were positive and the program helped her a lot. To add, the young woman is a strong Christian, so obviously she was comfortable with the religious side of the program. Hope that helps. PS – Wish I could remember the name of the blog.
It’s absolutely a cult. I was there for 6 months and it took me so long to get over the brainwashing and religious nonsense they drill into your brain. Many women were turned against their families, who may not follow the same Christian sect as Mercy staff, for instance. Because I had said I was Wiccan in my teen years, they monitored my mail and wouldn’t let me receive a letter from my friend that was written in French because “it could’ve been talking about the occult.” Also, they consider being trans or gay something that needs to be converted. I had said I was bisexual, and despite being married to a man, they said I was struggling with lesbianism. It’s ridiculous.
I wouldn’t recommend Mercy Ministries to anybody. They claim to help with “life controlling issues (their words)” such as eating disorders, depression, self harm, and substance abuse (which we all know can go hand in hand with ED), but they really offer no treatment at all. They are not a licensed treatment facility – they are a “residential community.” The counselors don’t have to have a master’s degree, and they’re certainly not therapists. There are no doctors or nurses or actual medical staff.
If you’re there for an ED (I was there for anorexia and drug addiction), they don’t do meal plans and they actually do more harm than good in the food department, in my opinion. They try to focus on organic eating (in Louisiana, anyway), and when you first get there they tell you how much you can eat. At every meal, you pray and recite scripture, and then you get your food. The staff members check your plate to make sure you don’t have too much or too little, and then you are expected to literally lick your plate clean. Too bad if you don’t like what they’re eating that day. You can get penalties like extra chores or extra assignments for not complying. Now, Is this any way to treat an ED patient? Forcing food down their throat, without regards to nutrition, calories, re-feeding syndrome, bingeing, etc.? They even told one girl that she couldn’t have dessert or snacks because she was too fat, and that was the devil inside her.
I only stayed for two weeks at Mercy, and I’m glad I didn’t stay longer. I’ve been reading about their program online, and they have done a lot of harm to a lot of girls. They’re more like a cult, and in my two weeks there, I can attest to some of the cultiness that I saw.
Thank you for telling the truth. Those of us who have been wounded by this ministry need to continue to speak the truth about 1) our experiences (the true things that happened there) and 2) the long-term effects of their terrible therapeutic practices.
I went to Mercy Ministries and everything you just said happened to me. I had an eating disorder by the way too… I also remember you had to pick a number out of a basket which many times people would cheat and get a lower number. The lowest number recieved their food first. I remember many times that there was hardly any food left and you had like a minute to eat it. I could continue but these words of counselor before I left still haunt me, “If you leave this place, you will never heal from your trauma.” Conclusion: Yes, it is a cult, and I would never EVER recommend.
I have a daughter who was there in 2007. I was just online reading. We, our as her parents and she had a wonderful, and blessed experience with Mercy. They always kept contact with us as she did. These girls were cared for and loved on, blessed way beyond most any program I have ever heard of. At least this was our experience. I have recommended this program to several girls over the years and they have always had good experiences.
Im glad your daughter had a great experience, interestingly enough, if you wanted to phone your parents which would be rare for them to allow you, I mean rare, you would have to use their landline phone and they would listen in on the conversation on a different line. I feel every location is different, however this place scarred me.
My daughter went to Mercy Ministries. She has refused to speak to us for two years, since she left to go to this cult center. There is significant evidence that she has been treated with an outdated false memory method where the patient goes back to early childhood memories and is encouraged to create imagined abuses. Hence she believes that the reasons for her problems are because of her family, and consequently she refuses ever to have anything to do with her family. This is her “spiritual healing”. Beware of this place!
My daughter went to Mercy Ministries for one year total. From the time she arrived, we have not heard from her . We pleaded and begged the staff to allow us access to our daughter , 20 years old at the time, to be permitted to speak with us. Long story short, we have learned that this ” ministry ” is a cult. The girls are brainwashed into thinking that Mercy Ministries is the only way out of their problems, and if they leave, they are threatened that demons and curses will follow them. They are told the only way to be free of the demons and curses is to depend on Mercy Ministry to pray for them and to follow the rituals Mercy Ministries requires. These girls are cut off from any former relationships, family or friends. Mercy Ministries hides under the guise of a “Christian ” organization. Pure quackery!
I don’t normally do this but because I have had SO MANY emails sent to me in regards to similar situations and I figure it’s the consumer’s right to know and take from it at will a user sent me this:
Thank you, yes I would. The Lincoln, CA Messenger printed the following story a few months ago, I am “James Smith” in the article (the second link is an opinion article from their editor). I know of several other families at the same branch of Mercy Ministries here in the U.S. who have experienced the same devastating consequences, and I have been told by several former patients that Mercy Ministries is a cult. They have been getting away with this for almost 3 decades, there are heartbreaking stories that go all the way back to the 80’s!
http://lincolnnewsmessenger.com/detail/202950.html
http://lincolnnewsmessenger.com/detail/202908.html
A reader brought this to attention:
http://lincolnnewsmessenger.com/detail/202950.html
There have been concerns about false success rates and validity of testimonials.
Not everything you read bad about Mercy is “from girls who left the program in rebellion and are now very bitter and are still being influenced by their issues.” This kind of the thinking illustrates the cult mindset these girls/women are indoctrinated into, that Mercy Ministries can do no wrong and that any criticism of Mercy must be from the Devil. Some even go so far as to say that anyone who criticizes Mercy “must hate healing.” The truth is, many end up having to be “healed” from their experience at Mercy as well, due to their bogus, dangerous, unproven therapy practices and mind control which have devastating consequences to these young women and their families.
Unfortunately, it has taken many former Mercy girls/women years to realize what they were really a part of…a cult. It is ironic that Mercy Ministries has turned so many young women away from God…this is because Mercy is not who they say they are. Many are still influenced years later by their experiences…and not for the better. What I have learned about Mercy Ministries over the last year is horrifying and heartbreaking, and is a story that needs to be heard so that this doesn’t happen to more young women.