Whether Nigel is bright or not, he certainly seems to be heavily invested in getting his son help.
I find it revealing that he finds the intentions of the doctor at Aspen, who is a licensed professional, and the licensed therapists his son saw back home as to be in his sons best interests. Yet he didn't say the same for the rest of the staff at Aspen. I think Nigel is concerned that his son sees the staff more than he sees the real professional. I would consider that a conflict of interest as Nigel is paying, from his perspective to see a real therapist and not some hacks. If the hacks were just there to show him how to ride horses and properly equip a backpack, do a lot of "go kid go!" kind of cheer leading while letting the professionals take care of the psychology stuff, that would be better. But I think Nigel is realizing that the hacks are doing the psychology, without licenses or training and there is some concern that Aspen might not be the nurturing environment it claims to be, and is probably not providing the real therapy his son needs.
Nigel has said he will hear his son out. Find out more about what is going on at Aspen. Consider all of his sons options and make the best decision he can. Most of us here believe that taking his son home as soon as possible, have him see a real therapist again and focus on the depression is the way to go. I personally do not believe that 24/7 therapy is helpful. Maybe for a week it could be, but the brain isn't supposed to go non-stop for a year or more. And when you consider it, just how long should it take to work out a kids problems? You telling me it really takes two full years of intensive therapy to get to the source of the problem and work out a solution? That is where I see the conflict. The need to keep those kids in these places longer and longer so the money keeps flowing.
My own psychologist never seems to have a conflict. I see him once every few months just to remain focused. Not every week and certainly not multiple times per week. My shrink is there for me and when times are tough has lowered his hourly rate considerably. And I have never seen psychologists who were part of an organization where they felt they had to generate hours and income for a group. All of my shrinks were in individual practices. Many were not all that good at their job and there was no personal connection made between me and them, but there are always good and mediocre in any industry. But at least they were the real deal. Not hacks.
But getting back to Nigel, I think he is in his own personal conflict of interest. His son wants to come home, his wife wants the son home but Nigel wants to step back, get all the advice and insight he can and make the right decision for his son and his family. A tough place to be. I think if is son is able to communicate clearly what is going on and his reasons for wanting to come home and if he has a solid understanding of what will be required of him when this visit takes place in October, perhaps some progress can be made. There are options to not being in Aspen.
I think Nigel, when he visits, should ask his son how much time has been spent dealing with the issues that got him sent there, and how long has been spent with Aspen making up new issues? I know when I went to one of these therapy schools, they spent all the time trying to make up new problems for me that never existed.
