Ellen Behren's Industry Study Funded by AEG

[Anonymous]

There appears to be continued confusion around the study conducted by Ellen Behrens. While she and other industry pundits claim it was an Independent Study, nothing could be further from the truth.

1999 Behrens Clinical Director for Youth care
http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?a ... me=Behrens

2002 Founded Canyon Research
http://canyonrc.com/experience.html

2003 - 2005 Behrens conducting surveys
http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/pre ... 060817.htm
 
2004 Behrens doing Consulting for AEG
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 0626.shtml

2006 Behrens completes her survey results passed off as Independent Study
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5360.shtml
"We also tried to eliminate all students discharged from the programs before graduation because the clinical staff thought it was actually an inappropriate placement, or when they felt the program couldn't be helpful to the child. As a result, the operating assumption of the study is that the students included in the analyzed data were those who were appropriately placed."

http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5494.shtml
Comment: ....It would be helpful to know more about Dr. Behren’s research design and methodology. I presume she drew a random sample for the study; otherwise, the results cannot be generalized to the school/residential population at large.
Jerry W Clark
Dba Behavioral Services Ltd
Reno, NV

No Jerry, she didn't. Families from 9 Aspen programs participated in her "study". She and all her staff have links to Aspen programs.
http://www.natsap.org/Behrens.doc
viewtopic.php?p=215887#p215887

Jan Moss applies the "study" of 9 Aspen programs to entire industry
Disclosure Statement:  Aspen Education Group provided funding for this study.
http://www.natsap.org/Outcome%20Study.doc

2006 Behrens is a contributor to NATSAPs "Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5456.shtml

ASPEN EDUCATION GROUP APPLAUDS STUDY
(April 26, 2007) According to an article on PRNewswire, Elliot Sainer, President of Aspen Education Group (AEG), Cerritos, CA, announced "AEG is extremely pleased to learn of the very positive findings from the final phase of our industry's first long-term, multi-year clinical study on the effectiveness of private therapeutic residential programs for adolescents. AEG will continue to advocate for new industry research that will further illustrate and promote the best practices and methodologies and enhance our industry's abilities to produce positive and long-lasting results in adolescent therapeutic education."

I guess he was pleased. He paid her to present AEG in the best possible light.

[Anonymous]

Correction: The Disclaimer is here
http://www.natsap.org/Behrens.doc
Jan Moss applies the "study" of 9 Aspen programs to entire industry
Disclosure Statement: Aspen Education Group provided funding for this study.

[Whooter]

Correction: The Disclaimer is here
http://www.natsap.org/Behrens.doc
Jan Moss applies the "study" of 9 Aspen programs to entire industry
Disclosure Statement: Aspen Education Group provided funding for this study.

I think we would agree that the results of 9 programs would be representative of the entire industry, since most here agree that all programs are the same.

We need to keep these studies going.  Great information everyone, I also heard that programs have been extremely successful in helping kids with moderate to severe depression, which I actually found suprising.  I hope the next study covers this also, it would be nice to get some more detail.

[Whooter]

Behavior modification techniques of contingency management and token economies are often effective, as many of the children in treatment facilities were never exposed to consistent and adequate systems of discipline at home (Kolko, 1992). An increase in structure that is recognized as fair and predictable motivates young people to pursue rewards and fear negative consequences (Kolko, 1992). Many of these treatment modalities are implemented concurrently within an individual, and in those cases, research is unable to demonstrate which methods are most greatly contributing to treatment success (Kolko, 1992).

[Troll Control]

There appears to be continued confusion around the study conducted by Ellen Behrens. While she and other industry pundits claim it was an Independent Study, nothing could be further from the truth.

1999 Behrens Clinical Director for Youth care
http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?a ... me=Behrens

2002 Founded Canyon Research
http://canyonrc.com/experience.html

2003 - 2005 Behrens conducting surveys
http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/pre ... 060817.htm
 
2004 Behrens doing Consulting for AEG
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 0626.shtml

2006 Behrens completes her survey results passed off as Independent Study
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5360.shtml
"We also tried to eliminate all students discharged from the programs before graduation because the clinical staff thought it was actually an inappropriate placement, or when they felt the program couldn't be helpful to the child. As a result, the operating assumption of the study is that the students included in the analyzed data were those who were appropriately placed."

http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5494.shtml
Comment: ....It would be helpful to know more about Dr. Behren’s research design and methodology. I presume she drew a random sample for the study; otherwise, the results cannot be generalized to the school/residential population at large.
Jerry W Clark
Dba Behavioral Services Ltd
Reno, NV

No Jerry, she didn't. Families from 9 Aspen programs participated in her "study". She and all her staff have links to Aspen programs.
http://www.natsap.org/Behrens.doc
viewtopic.php?p=215887#p215887

Jan Moss applies the "study" of 9 Aspen programs to entire industry
Disclosure Statement:  Aspen Education Group provided funding for this study.
http://www.natsap.org/Outcome%20Study.doc

2006 Behrens is a contributor to NATSAPs "Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5456.shtml

ASPEN EDUCATION GROUP APPLAUDS STUDY
(April 26, 2007) According to an article on PRNewswire, Elliot Sainer, President of Aspen Education Group (AEG), Cerritos, CA, announced "AEG is extremely pleased to learn of the very positive findings from the final phase of our industry's first long-term, multi-year clinical study on the effectiveness of private therapeutic residential programs for adolescents. AEG will continue to advocate for new industry research that will further illustrate and promote the best practices and methodologies and enhance our industry's abilities to produce positive and long-lasting results in adolescent therapeutic education."

I guess he was pleased. He paid her to present AEG in the best possible light.

This so-called "study" is pure bologna.  Methods are bad, all kinds of conflicts, lead "researcher" failed to disclose working for the study target, etc., etc., etc.  This industry won't allow scientific examination of it because it would then be proven to be totally ineffective and against ethical and professional standards.  Plain and simple.  This is why they try to pass off drivel like Behrens' as "research" rather than have a real study done.

[Whooter]

I think we all expected this response once the studies started to get done and released.  We all knew that the programs are very effective but now that the proof is on the table the scramble in on to discredit them, but they wont go away dispite the denials.  Lets take a look at a few of the results again:

Independent Long-Term Outcome Study Results
Conducted by:  Canyon Research & Consulting, Inc

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.

[psy]

Thank you, Guest, for the very informative post, once and for all putting this issue to bed.  Your post has been bookmarked and filed under "Fornits troll answers".  Stick around.  Kickass research that was.

 :notworthy:

[Whooter]

Thank you, Guest, for the very informative post, once and for all putting this issue to bed.  Your post has been bookmarked and filed under "Fornits troll answers".  Stick around.  Kickass research that was.

 :notworthy:

You welcome,  I expect that as more and more studies come out showing the effectiveness of some of these programs the more resistance we will see here on fornits.  Originally many were asking for just studies, then independent studies, then long term indpendent studies.  Now that the studies are independent long term the critisicim move torwrds the authors and demand for longer term.  Each time a study emerges the criteria for acceptance here on fornits changes lol.

Heart studies are done by doctors who have a background and knowledge in the area.  I dont think we could find a drug study or medical study performed by someone who knew nothing about the area they are testing or lacked a background.

These studies should be completed by people who have a background and knowledge in the area.

If the results showed that the programs were ineffective then they would be accepted at face value as are the various stories we read about here.  But they are not.

There was an independent study which was published in a journal a few years back and that was rejected by fornits regulars also because it showed the schools to be effective.

[Whooter]

Look, Guest, you are partually right, but you need to realize that any type of study is going to be a threat to the way of thinking here.  You could keep throwing them on the table and they will find a way to discredit them in their minds so they can stay with the belief that all programs are alike and they are all abusive.

Without that fornits ceases to exist.  Studies of any kind can never be accepted here period, never will.

A survivors description of the program is equally biased because they were sent there by force and therefore will never admit it was good for them.  The only unbiased account would be from a child who attended through their own free will. You can tell these accounts because they tell it like it is..ie. the food was okay, some of the staff was good others were not so good.  We all know the drill, read the stories and they are written off as drinking the koolaid.

So it will always be the same stock answers, stock thinking as long as forints exists because it is the only way it can.  But dont be discouraged there are many people who come here to read and you can reach them so dont give up.

[Whooter]

Question,  who is suppose to pay for the cost of the testing?  Drug companies develop new drugs and need to finance all the testing themselves (that’s part of what makes them so expensive).  All the other industries hire outside firms to do the testing or studies  or they do it themselves.

There are no free testing firms that I am aware of.  Anyone know who would pay to have another companies testing done?

[Whooter]

.....Most clinical studies that bring new drugs from bench to bedside are financed by pharmaceutical companies

[Whooter]

Question,  who is suppose to pay for the cost of the testing?  Drug companies develop new drugs and need to finance all the testing themselves (that’s part of what makes them so expensive).  All the other industries hire outside firms to do the testing or studies  or they do it themselves.

There are no free testing firms that I am aware of.  Anyone know who would pay to have another companies testing done?

I know that. You know that and the readers know that.  But there is no way in hell fornits regulars are going to accept any studies regardless of the outcome (unless it were extremely negative).  That door is closed.  If you roll in here with a story of how you were abused you will be treated like royalty and if you come in here with a story of how the program helped you you will be walked out the door because you drank the Kool-Aid.  There is no middle road or room for discussion.  There has been only one agenda and always will be.

But keep the studies coming, don’t be dissuaded, because there are many readers who are open minded and not tainted by hatred who could benefit from the latest research and studies.

[Troll Control]

There appears to be continued confusion around the study conducted by Ellen Behrens. While she and other industry pundits claim it was an Independent Study, nothing could be further from the truth.

1999 Behrens Clinical Director for Youth care
http://cache.zoominfo.com/cachedpage/?a ... me=Behrens

2002 Founded Canyon Research
http://canyonrc.com/experience.html

2003 - 2005 Behrens conducting surveys
http://www.strugglingteens.com/news/pre ... 060817.htm
 
2004 Behrens doing Consulting for AEG
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 0626.shtml

2006 Behrens completes her survey results passed off as Independent Study
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5360.shtml
"We also tried to eliminate all students discharged from the programs before graduation because the clinical staff thought it was actually an inappropriate placement, or when they felt the program couldn't be helpful to the child. As a result, the operating assumption of the study is that the students included in the analyzed data were those who were appropriately placed."

http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5494.shtml
Comment: ....It would be helpful to know more about Dr. Behren’s research design and methodology. I presume she drew a random sample for the study; otherwise, the results cannot be generalized to the school/residential population at large.
Jerry W Clark
Dba Behavioral Services Ltd
Reno, NV

No Jerry, she didn't. Families from 9 Aspen programs participated in her "study". She and all her staff have links to Aspen programs.
http://www.natsap.org/Behrens.doc
viewtopic.php?p=215887#p215887

Jan Moss applies the "study" of 9 Aspen programs to entire industry
Disclosure Statement:  Aspen Education Group provided funding for this study.
http://www.natsap.org/Outcome%20Study.doc

2006 Behrens is a contributor to NATSAPs "Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.
http://www.strugglingteens.com/artman/p ... 5456.shtml

ASPEN EDUCATION GROUP APPLAUDS STUDY
(April 26, 2007) According to an article on PRNewswire, Elliot Sainer, President of Aspen Education Group (AEG), Cerritos, CA, announced "AEG is extremely pleased to learn of the very positive findings from the final phase of our industry's first long-term, multi-year clinical study on the effectiveness of private therapeutic residential programs for adolescents. AEG will continue to advocate for new industry research that will further illustrate and promote the best practices and methodologies and enhance our industry's abilities to produce positive and long-lasting results in adolescent therapeutic education."

I guess he was pleased. He paid her to present AEG in the best possible light.

This so-called "study" is pure bologna.  Methods are bad, all kinds of conflicts, lead "researcher" failed to disclose working for the study target, etc., etc., etc.  This industry won't allow scientific examination of it because it would then be proven to be totally ineffective and against ethical and professional standards.  Plain and simple.  This is why they try to pass off drivel like Behrens' as "research" rather than have a real study done.

qft, brother.  don't believe the hype.

[Whooter]

Question,  who is suppose to pay for the cost of the testing?  Drug companies develop new drugs and need to finance all the testing themselves (that’s part of what makes them so expensive).  All the other industries hire outside firms to do the testing or studies  or they do it themselves.

There are no free testing firms that I am aware of.  Anyone know who would pay to have another companies testing done?

I know that. You know that and the readers know that.  But there is no way in hell fornits regulars are going to accept any studies regardless of the outcome (unless it were extremely negative).  That door is closed.  If you roll in here with a story of how you were abused you will be treated like royalty and if you come in here with a story of how the program helped you you will be walked out the door because you drank the Kool-Aid.  There is no middle road or room for discussion.  There has been only one agenda and always will be.

But keep the studies coming, don’t be dissuaded, because there are many readers who are open minded and not tainted by hatred who could benefit from the latest research and studies.

Look hooter, you are being hosed.  No one here really cares about studies or testing.  Half the shit they smoke, snort or put in their arms have only been tested in some kids basement.

Where is the outrage of lack of long term clinical studies on that shit?

[Troll Control]

^The best a worn-down, fact-free troll can offer^  The decline and fall of TheWho is complete.