Former members file complaint over false claims of Access Consciousness therapies

Former members of a group promising enlightenment, wealth and healing have filed a complaint with the ACCC alleging the organisation made false claims about the efficacy of its therapies.

Access Consciousness' Dr Dain Heer. Picture: Facebook

Former members of a group promising enlightenment, wealth and healing have filed a complaint with the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission alleging that the organisation has made false claims about the efficacy of its signature therapies.

The globally active Access Consciousness has a strong presence in Australia through its worldwide business co-ordinator Simone Milasas, who operates from the group’s local headquarters on the Sunshine Coast.

It uses a process it calls “bars therapy”, which it claims “can release and clear limitations in any area of your life”.

A chart explaining bars therapy in Access Consciousness. Picture: Supplied

According to the group’s American founder Gary Douglas, “bars therapy” was revealed to him after an episode in which he channelled the spirit of Russian mystic Grigori Rasputin.

Access Consciousness flourishes via a tightly held hierarchical structure that places power in what it estimates are 3000 “licensed facilitators” trained to deliver “bars therapy”, as well as a variety of other courses it claims can improve participants’ health, beauty, love lives or finances.

Licences cost members up to $30,000 to attain, and require ongoing payment to maintain.

Beds being used during an Access Consciousness course. Picture: Supplied

The Australian has seen the contents of several complaints that former members have lodged with the ACCC, including one that alleged Access Consciousness’ facilitator system showed ­attributes of a pyramid scheme, or a multi-level marketing scheme.

“People in the organisation are required to recruit other members in order to profit off their own classes,” reads one complaint.

“They are required to purchase products from the organisation annually in order to maintain a ­license.”

The complaint also details a scheme the group is spruiking to Australians in which it encouraged investment in a Costa Rican ranch and resort for “guaranteed” dividends of 8 per cent.

These have failed to materialise, it reads.

Following a report in the Weekend Australian Magazine on Saturday, an ACCC spokesperson would not comment directly on any complaints it had received concerning Access Consciousness but said pyramid schemes were prohibited under Australian law, while multi-level marketing business schemes were required to comply with Australian consumer law.

“MLM schemes should not make any false or misleading representations about the products that are being sold, including the performance, characteristics, uses or benefits of the products,” the spokesperson said.

“While MLM schemes are legal, unfortunately in the vast majority of cases, the only people who make money from them are the creators.”

Founders of Access Consciousness refuse to comment.