Self-Injury Support Group at HLA?

[Guest 2]

While my child was at HLA, several students in the Peer Group had issues with self-injury behaviors.

Each time we were at a Parent Workshop the parents of these children asked the Peer Group Counselors and Clay Erickson when they were going to start a support group for the children with self-injury behaviors. The response they received was, "They're not ready for that yet." (I was there and heard it with my own ears. I found that really disturbing!)

The parents of these children were a little dumbfounded since that's a major reason why they enrolled their children at HLA - to receive therapy to help with the self-injury issues.

It's a year later and still no self-injury support group.

Did anyone else out there experience this? Was a self-injury support group ever formed? If so, how long did it take? Who ran the support group?

[Anonymous]

I know for a fact that there was a group for self-injurious behaviors as of a year ago, and it had been going on for quite some time.  Much of the time, the newer students were not allowed to be in the group, because they were not at a point where they were willing to listen to what was being said, and they would be more of a detriment to the rest of the group.

[Troll Control]

"They're not ready for that yet."

no doubt he was referring to the staff...  they're basically not ready for ANYTHING to do with mental health issues.

[Anonymous]

I know for a fact that there was a group for self-injurious behaviors as of a year ago, and it had been going on for quite some time.  Much of the time, the newer students were not allowed to be in the group, because they were not at a point where they were willing to listen to what was being said, and they would be more of a detriment to the rest of the group.

they would be more of a detriment to the rest of the group
   

Am I missing something? I thought the whole point of a support group was to help people in all stages of addiction or other types of self-destructive behavior.  

I cannot believe that any well-meaning, legitimate support group would ever turn someone away because that person is not at the same "level" as members in the group. Futhermore after initially joining a support group, don't most of the "newcomers" sit back and listen? Newcomers are not supposed to be pressured into talking or participating until they are ready to do so - it's supposed to be a transition so that the person feels safe and comfortable talking about his/her issues in his/her own due time.

Aren't parents sold on the fact that their children will have access to support groups once they start at HLA? I'm sure these kids with self-injurious behavior and addictions have been in counseling way before arriving at HLA.

If you know for a fact there was a self-injurious group, then let us know who was running it and how often they met.

[Anonymous]

I believe Joe Stapp was running it.  it met on a weekly basis.  

And...in theory, yes, it would be nice to allow all people into a group.  However, when you are dealing with oppositional teens, some of whom would like nothing more to sabotoge the group, you have to make the decision to include only those who are willing to work.  You can't force therapy on someone.

[RobertBruce]

You can't force therapy on someone

Dear Jesus in Heaven, nothing said here has ever been more honest. This ladies in gentlemen is why HLA doesnt work. You cant force therapy on someone and you cant beat into them either.

[Anonymous]

I believe Joe Stapp was running it.  it met on a weekly basis.  

And...in theory, yes, it would be nice to allow all people into a group.  However, when you are dealing with oppositional teens, some of whom would like nothing more to sabotoge the group, you have to make the decision to include only those who are willing to work.  You can't force therapy on someone.

What qualifications does Joe Stapp have that allow him to run a support group for self-injurious behaviors?

http://www.hiddenlakeacademy.com/loadPr ... ?userID=72

Joe Stapp
Peer Group Counselor

B.A. ? Baylor University M.A. ? Amber University Licensed Professional Counselor Joe is married with two children, his interests are guitar, piano, singing, playing with his children, church and projects around his house.

http://www.amberton.edu/MDegrees.htm

MASTER OF ARTS
PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Professional Counseling is designed for persons interested in becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (L.P.C.) in the State of Texas. The degree is organized to prepare graduates for coun-seling positions in private or public settings. Graduates may work with either individuals or groups as well as functional and dysfunctional families. The curriculum is comprised of forty-eight (48) graduate hours and includes a minimum of 300 practicum hours. No student may enroll in a practicum course without completing all other degree requirements. Graduates are prepared to provide individual, group, and family counseling in community and social service organizations. In addition, students who complete the program meet the academic requirements for becoming Licensed Professional Counselors (L.P.C.) in the State of Texas. Amberton University students seeking a master?s degree in School Counseling (M.A.) should reference the require-ments stated under the heading Requirements for a Second Degree.

Not licensed with the State of Texas:
http://www.tcada.state.tx.us/licensure/pgSearch.shtml

Not licensed with the State of Georgia:
https://secure.sos.state.ga.us/myverification/

Just curious.

[Anonymous]

He was licensed in TX, but move to Georgia.  My guess is that his TX license has expired and he still has to have the required hours in GA, before he is licensed here.  Say what you want about the counselors at HLA, and the HLA program, but Joe Stapp in an extremely good therapist.

[Troll Control]

He was licensed in TX, but move to Georgia.  My guess is that his TX license has expired and he still has to have the required hours in GA, before he is licensed here.  Say what you want about the counselors at HLA, and the HLA program, but Joe Stapp in an extremely good therapist.

then why would he continue to receive his paycheck from such a facility?  that alone raises serious ethical questions.

if he's extremely good why isn't he working somewhere where he can do good?  my hunch is because he cannot legally practice anywhere except a place like HLA that doesn't require proper credentials.

[Anonymous]

I don't see the point of this topic.

At HLA, don't they do the injuring for you?

[Anonymous]

my roomate cut himself one night at hla and wasnt taken to the hospital... he was just calmed down.

[Anonymous]

my roomate cut himself one night at hla and wasnt taken to the hospital... he was just calmed down.

Please have your roomate and/or his parents contact:

Ms. Kit Wallace
State of Georgia - Child Protective Services
706.864.1839
email: kwwallace@dhr.state.ga.us

Your roomate should have received medical treatment from a real doctor.

[Anonymous]

my roomate cut himself one night at hla and wasnt taken to the hospital... he was just calmed down.

Please have your roomate and/or his parents contact:

Ms. Kit Wallace
State of Georgia - Child Protective Services
706.864.1839
email: kwwallace@dhr.state.ga.us

Your roomate should have received medical treatment from a real doctor.

HAHAHA! Like CPS really helps kids lmao  ::puke::

[Anonymous]

my roomate cut himself one night at hla and wasnt taken to the hospital... he was just calmed down.

Please have your roomate and/or his parents contact:

Ms. Kit Wallace
State of Georgia - Child Protective Services
706.864.1839
email: kwwallace@dhr.state.ga.us

Your roomate should have received medical treatment from a real doctor.

HAHAHA! Like CPS really helps kids lmao  ::puke::

What's happened before when kids have contacted CPS?

[Lacey]

my roomate cut himself one night at hla and wasnt taken to the hospital... he was just calmed down.

Please have your roomate and/or his parents contact:

Ms. Kit Wallace
State of Georgia - Child Protective Services
706.864.1839
email: kwwallace@dhr.state.ga.us

Your roomate should have received medical treatment from a real doctor.

I only saw someone taken to the hospital ONCE in my entire stay there for cutting themselves. And I assure you it happened with a certain regularity. And that person was only taken because he took his blood and smeared it all over the walls writing "I love God" and "Take Me Home" and upsidown crosses and shit. Anyone who was there in 2002 knows who I'm talking about.