Author Topic: Aspen Education Group lawyers..AEG not mental health program (Read 15440 times)

Anonymous · « **on:** September 22, 2009, 07:41:32 PM »

Aspen Education Group does not provide a therapeutic milieu that is conformative to standards set by any medical body for their "patients," medically recognized therapy, or medically accredited personnel, Aspen's own lawyers successfully argued in Pence v. Aspen Education Group.
http://www.websupp.org/data/DOR/6:05-cv ... 80-DOR.pdf

Aspen education group turned the details of one of the confessions it mandates from its "patients" over to the police.

The "patient" had confessed he had peeped into the girls dorm, after climbing onto a roof.

The "patient's" parents sued over Aspens failure to provide a clinically valid therapeutic milieu, for failing to conform to clinical, medical standards, for violating the confidentiality of the patient/ therapist relationship, and for subjecting their "patient" to "therapy" from a group of people who were not licensed therapists or medical personnel.

Aspen Education Group's defense was that, yes, they failed to provide therapy that conforms to standards of medicine, but that was OK because they ONLY agreed to provide...

Quote from: "Aspen Education Group"

"group and individual counseling as dictated by
PROGRAM design......NorthStar did not promise to do the things that plaintiffs
complain they failed to do, such as provide counseling by a
LICENSED counselor,2"

Aspen education Group argued that confessions the "patient" was expected to make was NOT part of a therapeutic treatment program, and that NorthStar was NOT a drug and alcohol or mental health therapy program.

Aspen Education Group argued largely SUCCESSFULLY that because their "patient's" therapist was unlicensed and semi-successfully that because their employees were not actual medical personnel, HiPPA statues did not apply to them.

Quote from: "Pence v Aspen Education Group"

"Because she is not a licensed counselor and there is no evidence she is an employee of a licensed counselor, Harless is not subject to confidentiality laws applicable to licensed counselors and their employees."

Quote from: "Pence v Aspen Education Group"

"There is insufficient evidence to conclude that there are no disputed issues of fact as to whether information conveyed by Harless to police was protected health information within the meaning of HIPAA, and whether NorthStar is a covered entity within the meaning of HIPAA."

Troll Control · « **Reply #1 on:** September 22, 2009, 07:52:22 PM »

Ouch. Fucking ouch. Wow, this is a damning indictment of Apen Education Group. Their entire defense is based upon not providing the services they advertise as delivering.

Whooter (the new version of TheWho) is now, officially, 100% discredited by his own people. Don't feel bad though, Whoooter, everyone who works for Aspen gets a black eye, too.

And you parents out there now have exactly what reason to justify engaging Aspen Education? Please, explain again to me how your child really needs this pseudo-not-quite-never-claimed-to-be-real "treatment" at Aspen. I'm all ears.

Troll Control · « **Reply #2 on:** September 23, 2009, 11:59:24 AM »

biz-umpety!

Whooter · « **Reply #3 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:25:25 PM »

Aspen Education Group has participated in multiple independent research studies to ensure that we provide the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults, we feel it is our responsibility to measure the effectiveness of our methods and the sustainability of our results.

Aspen Education Group’s Outdoor Behavior Healthcare (OBH) programs, also referred to as wilderness therapy, participated in two long-term, independent research studies, most recently from March 2006 through October 2008. One hundred-ninety adolescents, ages 14-17, enrolled in three different wilderness therapy programs were assessed at admission; one week after they started treatment; graduation from the wilderness therapy program; three months after graduation; and 12 months after graduation. Adolescent participants in wilderness therapy programs experienced reported struggling with issues such as substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, ADHD and academic performance....

More results to come!!

Troll Control · « **Reply #4 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:36:03 PM »

Lols. The only problem with the 'study' is that they were illegally using unlicesned 'therapists' for their 'treatment.' Tell me, how does AEG assess effectiveness of treatment when they already admitted in a lawsuit that THEY PROVIDE NO TREATMENT? Interesting logical pretzel Whooter has tied himself into.

Attention: AEG admits after almost 20 years of operation that they provide NO THERAPY and NO TREATMENT services.

I wonder what all the parents are paying for? Food, lodging and humiliation only??

You people are SUCKERS and got RIPPED OFF by AEG. Tough pill to swallow, but AEG admitted in open court during a lawsuit trial that they in fact do not use licesned therapists and provide no treatment of any kind.

Whooter · « **Reply #5 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:47:03 PM »

Well they seem to be doing pretty good based on independent studies of a few of their programs:

Here take a look:

After attending an Aspen Outdoor Behavioral Health program:

Mental health issues including stress, depression and anxiety are significantly improved. OBH treatment helped reduce stress, depression and anxiety in teens, especially in those with more extreme levels, with continued reduction shown at the six-month follow-up assessment.

Substance abuse and dependence is significantly reduced, with results lasting through the 12-month follow-up. Students experienced substance-related pathology within the clinically significant and elevated range pretreatment, but symptoms fell within a normal range upon graduation. Most importantly, these results were sustained through the three and 12 month follow-up assessments.

Social conflict and aggressive behaviors decrease. Reduction of these self-defeating behaviors continues post-graduation, with greatest improvement shown at the 12-month follow-up assessment.

Troll Control · « **Reply #6 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:54:10 PM »

Quoting a debunked pseudo-study does not make your case.

Anyway, if we assume the study is valid (which it clearly is not) we'd have to attribute any changes in subjects to influences other than AEG, because AEG admits they offer no treatment whatsoever. Again, how can one assess the effects of non-treatment?

Explain that first before you try to convince us of anything else.

Mods: Whooter is flooding with repetitive posts again. If he keeps posting the same post over and again, he should rightfully be banned.

Whooter · « **Reply #7 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:56:10 PM »

Quote from: "Guest"

Aspen Education Group has participated in multiple independent research studies to ensure that we provide the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults, we feel it is our responsibility to measure the effectiveness of our methods and the sustainability of our results.

Aspen Education Group’s Outdoor Behavior Healthcare (OBH) programs, also referred to as wilderness therapy, participated in two long-term, independent research studies, most recently from March 2006 through October 2008. One hundred-ninety adolescents, ages 14-17, enrolled in three different wilderness therapy programs were assessed at admission; one week after they started treatment; graduation from the wilderness therapy program; three months after graduation; and 12 months after graduation. Adolescent participants in wilderness therapy programs experienced reported struggling with issues such as substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, ADHD and academic performance....

More results to come!!

I for one would like to see more detail. Did they release any graphs or tables?

Ursus · « **Reply #8 on:** September 23, 2009, 12:59:48 PM »

Quote from: "Guest"

Lols. The only problem with the 'study' is that they were illegally using unlicesned 'therapists' for their 'treatment.' Tell me, how does AEG assess effectiveness of treatment when they already admitted in a lawsuit that THEY PROVIDE NO TREATMENT? Interesting logical pretzel Whooter has tied himself into.

Attention: AEG admits after almost 20 years of operation that they provide NO THERAPY and NO TREATMENT services.

I wonder what all the parents are paying for? Food, lodging and humiliation only??

You people are SUCKERS and got RIPPED OFF by AEG. Tough pill to swallow, but AEG admitted in open court during a lawsuit trial that they in fact do not use licesned therapists and provide no treatment of any kind.

Wouldn't this call the integrity of Ellen Behren's "study" into serious question? If this had been an actual bona fide peer-reviewed scientific study, those results would now have to be thrown out, and the study repeated.

Perhaps the re-do could be done by unbiased professional who doesn't have such a conflict of interest, and could include a little more stringent criteria!

As it stands right now, Behren's "study" is little more than a collection of anecdotal impressions and self reportage by adolescents or young adults barely out of their teens, who have little/no life experience at living independently and how to put their program experience in perspective with that, which is collected and interpreted by an industry insider with a vested interest in the outcome.

Geeezzz Louise! :wall:

Whooter · « **Reply #9 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:16:49 PM »

Quote from: "Guest"

Quote from: "Guest"
Aspen Education Group has participated in multiple independent research studies to ensure that we provide the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults, we feel it is our responsibility to measure the effectiveness of our methods and the sustainability of our results.

Aspen Education Group’s Outdoor Behavior Healthcare (OBH) programs, also referred to as wilderness therapy, participated in two long-term, independent research studies, most recently from March 2006 through October 2008. One hundred-ninety adolescents, ages 14-17, enrolled in three different wilderness therapy programs were assessed at admission; one week after they started treatment; graduation from the wilderness therapy program; three months after graduation; and 12 months after graduation. Adolescent participants in wilderness therapy programs experienced reported struggling with issues such as substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, ADHD and academic performance....

More results to come!!

I for one would like to see more detail. Did they release any graphs or tables?

Here is a link to one of the sites which has results in Graph form (bottom of page):

Link to Study Results

Hope this helps.

Anonymous · « **Reply #10 on:** September 23, 2009, 01:52:14 PM »

Aspen Education Group the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults,[/quote]

Why use terms like "clinical" and "therapeutic practices" if they are not a mental health program? Isn't this deceptive marketing, if not flat-out misrepresentation of what Aspen is? Licensed staff would be necessary to implement "the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models".

This is getting down to it. Now that Aspen has copped to not providing mental health programs they need to be held to that description.

Anonymous · « **Reply #11 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:04:06 PM »

Quote from: "Guest"

Well they seem to be doing pretty good based on independent studies of a few of their programs:

Here take a look:

After attending an Aspen Outdoor Behavioral Health program:

Mental health issues including stress, depression and anxiety are significantly improved. OBH treatment helped reduce stress, depression and anxiety in teens, especially in those with more extreme levels, with continued reduction shown at the six-month follow-up assessment.

Substance abuse and dependence is significantly reduced, with results lasting through the 12-month follow-up. Students experienced substance-related pathology within the clinically significant and elevated range pretreatment, but symptoms fell within a normal range upon graduation. Most importantly, these results were sustained through the three and 12 month follow-up assessments.

Social conflict and aggressive behaviors decrease. Reduction of these self-defeating behaviors continues post-graduation, with greatest improvement shown at the 12-month follow-up assessment.

So. They are practicing psychology/behavior modification without licensed staff? Your defenses of Aspen have become slipshod and reveal even more damning facts. Spin faster, the hole is getting deeper.

Whooter · « **Reply #12 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:08:55 PM »

Quote

Quote from: "Guest"
Aspen Education Group the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults,

Why use terms like "clinical" and "therapeutic practices" if they are not a mental health program? Isn't this deceptive marketing, if not flat-out misrepresentation of what Aspen is? Licensed staff would be necessary to implement "the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models".

This is getting down to it. Now that Aspen has copped to not providing mental health programs they need to be held to that description.

No, you need to understand the terms a little more. You dont have to be a mental health program to use terms like "clinical" or "Therapeutic practices". You could give the kid a massage once a week or a hot mineral bath and market yourself as therapeutic. As far as Clinical --- all you need to do is watch the kid 24/7.

Clinical -- Involving or based on direct observation of the patient

The methods depend on the model that you use. If you can impliment the model successfully without licensed staff then its fine. But presently, as a minimum, the kids see a licesnsed therapist about once a week and report back to the child therapist at home or the parents.

Anonymous · « **Reply #13 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:33:27 PM »

Quote from: "Guest"

Quote
Quote from: "Guest"
Aspen Education Group the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults,

Why use terms like "clinical" and "therapeutic practices" if they are not a mental health program? Isn't this deceptive marketing, if not flat-out misrepresentation of what Aspen is? Licensed staff would be necessary to implement "the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models".

This is getting down to it. Now that Aspen has copped to not providing mental health programs they need to be held to that description.

No, you need to understand the terms a little more. You dont have to be a mental health program to use terms like "clinical" or "Therapeutic practices". You could give the kid a massage once a week or a hot mineral bath and market yourself as therapeutic. As far as Clinical --- all you need to do is watch the kid 24/7.

Clinical -- Involving or based on direct observation of the patient

The methods depend on the model that you use. If you can impliment the model successfully without licensed staff then its fine. But presently, as a minimum, the kids see a licesnsed therapist about once a week and report back to the child therapist at home or the parents.

That's not what parents are expecting or led to believe. In the Pence case, it's stated the boy was suffering from depression. He needed more than mineral baths and an unlicensed counselor.

Come on. You are desperately trying to cover up the fact that kids will get no valid treatment at Aspen. Valid treatment. Aspen has stated they do not provide legitimate mental health care and they need to state that clearly and not hide behind vague legalese definitions. "clinical" should indicate there is a licensed clinician overseeing "therapy".

Break it down to simple fact: Aspen is not the place to send a child with behavioral or mental health issues. They have no legitimate clinical treatment available. AEG has admitted it. The "clinical" and "therapeutic" claims of Aspen are clearly revealed to be snake oil, smoke and mirrors, and deceptive marketing. Transparency is also not one of Aspen's strong points.

That is a fact.

Whooter · « **Reply #14 on:** September 23, 2009, 02:34:26 PM »

Quote from: "Guest"

Quote from: "Guest"
Quote from: "Guest"
Aspen Education Group has participated in multiple independent research studies to ensure that we provide the most cutting-edge, evidence-based therapeutic practices and clinical models within each of our programs. As the leading provider of therapeutic education programs for youth and young adults, we feel it is our responsibility to measure the effectiveness of our methods and the sustainability of our results.

Aspen Education Group’s Outdoor Behavior Healthcare (OBH) programs, also referred to as wilderness therapy, participated in two long-term, independent research studies, most recently from March 2006 through October 2008. One hundred-ninety adolescents, ages 14-17, enrolled in three different wilderness therapy programs were assessed at admission; one week after they started treatment; graduation from the wilderness therapy program; three months after graduation; and 12 months after graduation. Adolescent participants in wilderness therapy programs experienced reported struggling with issues such as substance use, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideations, ADHD and academic performance....

More results to come!!

I for one would like to see more detail. Did they release any graphs or tables?

Here is a link to one of the sites which has results in Graph form (bottom of page):

Link to Study Results

Hope this helps.

I was curious on the results that the boys stress level increased post program but the girls did not as much. Do you think this is related to integrating back into the home at all? They commented on this themselves, but no cause was attributed.

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