The Web Documentary: The Dark Side of Self-Help

Hi, we are Lizzy, Lauren, and Diba, and we are fundraising for our documentary (working title) The Web: the dark side of self-help, and we need your help! We are all currently pursuing master's degrees in social work from USC and creating this documentary for the USC Social Work Film Festival on May 9, 2022. Our budget includes craft services, editing, travel, Covid-testing, and other expenses. Those who donate will receive an exclusive link to view the film! Those who donate $100 or above will receive a producer's credit on the film!  We so appreciate your support.

 

Lizzy, Lauren, and Diba

 

The Web: the dark side of self-help

 

Self-help is a billion-dollar industry that permeates Los Angeles. As a hub for people worldwide who relocate to become somebody, the pressure to find your purpose and make a name for yourself is the underlying battle faced by all residents. LA culture is rooted in self-help, spirituality, juice cleanses, and astrology. As new trends in self-help emerge, self-growth and transformation seem like a required daily practice. But how much is too much? There is a line between self-exploration and trauma-inducing activity, a line between sound bath healing and brainwashing.

 

Dr. S. describes the relationship some people have to self-help like a spider web: participants don’t see the reality that they are ensnared in a powerful web until they can shift perspective. In this documentary, we will interview individuals who’ve experienced trauma due to the self-help they’ve pursued. As social workers, we are interested in exploring how and why trauma occurs within self-help settings and the long-term outcomes. The emotional experience of survivors is the centerpiece of the documentary.

Why:

We want to create this film to highlight the truth about spiritual abuse and how anyone can be susceptible to it.  We feel it is imperative to educate a wide audience on this topic, how common it really is as well as to illustrate the importance of mental health and a safe sense of community. We thank you in advance for your support!