Even the Church of Scientology or the craziest psychiatrists are not as merciless as that. A treatment of this kind can seriously destroy anyone's mind.
Why using the word "Psychotherapy" when the author of "Est" is against psychiatry. He should have used the term: 'brain or mind therapy'.
Locking people in the dark, is it some form of humiliation and frustration for the patient?
'Est' is truly what TV reality game shows are all about: sickening. No one is really winning anything, only exposure and probably ill-health after that.
Still, 'Est' and 'The Complete Map of the Universe' are very unique in their genre.
I have seen both several times and it's incredibly well made. It's bold and very honest.