Psy,
Absent a response from Nihilantic, whose answer may differ, I note the following:
1-Therapy, apart from physical therapy, massage therapy, etc, is often proved by (licensed) social workers. It also is provided in different form by environment, though that may be stretching things farther than necessary.
2-So, if its not "lifespring / est / raps", its not coercive??? Mop the floor or I'll beat the ___ out of you wouldn't be coercion? Or is that what lifespring does?
Read the links. The "mop the floor" would be direct coercion via threat of violence. Lifespring and est would be indirect methods. (again, read the friggin APA paper)
3- You said "If a child in program accuses the place of abuse, and the parent, on programs request, dismisses the accusations as "manipulations", the parent is liable if the child is found to be telling the truth." Legally liable? On what premise? Or morally responsible for something? And in the case of the "boy who called wolf"?
There have been cases of kids suing their parents over program treatment (and winning). I'm going to look up examples in a sec and post em here.
In no case should an accusation of abuse be ignored. You think programs don't know whose side parents are likely to take in a dispute? This gives them free reign to do whatever they please without fear of consequences. They know that teenagers likely have lied to their parents, and they tell the parents in advance: "your kid will say anything to get out"... That is proper program CYA(cover your ass) procedure.
"The boy who called wolf"..."The girl who cried rape"...
Need I mention what happend to the boy who cried wolf?
One day, the kid tells the truth about abuse, the parent ignores it repeatedly, and he learns to keep silent. He learns to suffer in silence. He learns even god has turned his back on him. He loses hope, he breaks, and he never trusts anybody again, most certainly not his parents. This happens. Not in all cases, but it happens a lot. (in my opinion, more often than not)
4- "Modifying behavior does not equal "behavior modification"." Now you got me! And, dog cages are beyond abusive. But what are acceptable ways to get behavior to change in a desired way?
read the link
here. (i already linked to it last post)
See "Figure 1"
That will answer your question.
5- "Buy a parenting book?" Which one? What parts are good? For what problem?
"Talk to a psychologist?" Been there, done that! More than one.
"Group therapy?" What group? Where? Actually, not so easily found.
I was referring mainly to family therapy. Often problems stem from a combination of issues in both the kid and the parents. Only a licensed neutral moderator can effectively spot the problems and give advice.
"Wrap-around (in home) programs?" For what? How established?
here you go"30 day treatment/detox centers?" Generally not lastingly effective the first time through,
afaik, better results than programs... but it's impossible to truly know given that the industry is not regulated and there have been no comprehensive third party studies on the effectiveness of programs.
but yes, a good choice if drug abuse is the only issue. Even worth trying a second or third time IF drugs are the only issue. But if it is more than drugs??
Therapy, therapy, therapy. Worked for me when I was acting out at the age of 13. One shrink finally tried Prozac, and it worked. I had tantrums... for lack of a better word, and they stopped on medication.
"Let it pass?" But too often, "it" doesn't -- it worsens.
But it doesn't always and children should not be punished for "future crime" by fearful parents, egged on by an industry that profits from institution regardless of need. Just ask exhausted about her experience with Aspen. They admitted her son over email. Psych evals? none. And they keep spamming her. Are these examples of reputable programs?
Only psychologists can properly evaluate the mental condition of a child, and often their opinions differ vastly. Second and third opinions are necessary in these cases.
I was off the friggin walls when i was 13, doing all kinds of crazy shit. For me, it was just a case of depression needing medication. Only a psychologist could have figured that out. An educational consultant, would have referred to a program which would likely have failed miserably given that the problem was biochemical in nature.
