tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743746633913926150.post6559769380972948354..comments2024-03-12T07:00:44.143-04:00Comments on CHILDMYTHS: Branding Cures and Attachment Therapy: A Little History and DiscussionJean Mercerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14619393019771381980noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743746633913926150.post-32398990731801056462012-11-28T16:36:34.153-05:002012-11-28T16:36:34.153-05:00I don't know why people don't demand the c...I don't know why people don't demand the credentials of psychologists/social workers/counselors, or why such professionals don't provide them up front as dentists,vets, and lawyers usually do. Perhaps part of the problem is that even well-educated people sometimes don't know the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist, much less all the other types of MH licensees who have been invented over the last 20 years. But that fact should give an impetus for patient education, not for ignoring the issue. <br /><br />Then of course we have the people who provide lengthy presentations of their credentials, but they ain't necessarily so!<br /><br />What we seem to need is a consumer movement that will demand information from these organizations rather than trying not to offend them-- or perhaps trying to avoid the good old accusations of denial, repression, avoidance, and self-injury that are not unknown when middle-management mental health staff are confronted.<br /><br />Any volunteers?Jean Mercerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14619393019771381980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2743746633913926150.post-59332093501140809842012-11-28T15:56:07.453-05:002012-11-28T15:56:07.453-05:00I had an interesting, somewhat tangential experien...I had an interesting, somewhat tangential experience today. A local private/non-profit post-adoption support organization (Adoption Journeys), funded by the state of Massachusetts, advertised support groups for teens dealing with issues related to identity as an adoptee. <br /><br />I thought it might be helpful for one of my daughters, so I emailed for more information---specifically the name, schooling, licensure, and years of experience of the group leader. What I got back was a request that I call the organization to complete a preliminary intake ("pre-screening," their words) to see if we qualified. What? You're offering a professional service, for which you're getting paid (albeit by a third party), but you won't provide basic details about the professionals who might be working with my children? We're supposed to be petitioners, instead of astute consumers? I think not. I feel sorry for those families who are so desperate for post-adoption support that they'll cooperate with such a stance. <br /><br />I responded back that most professionals are happy to provide their credentials immediately, and if I can receive that information from them, I might call. Doubt I'll hear back. <br /><br />Coincidentally, or not?, the same organization runs a group for parents about attachment (though the attachment group description does not appear in the organization's official parent guide, available here: http://child-familyservices.org/wp-content/uploads/adoption-jouneys-booklet.pdf). Again, pre-screening of the families seems to be the relevant issue at this stage of offering a service, instead of providing details about the service and the professionals providing it. Checking to see the level of compliance of the parents first, perhaps? <br /><br />"Parents of Children with Histories of Attachment Trauma (P-CHAT): a support<br />group specifically for parents raising children with Reactive Attachment Disorder. This group is facilitated by a clinician and meets quarterly. If interested, please call for pre-group interview."<br /><br />This group needs a mole. (I can't fake enough accommodating behaviors to do it.)Marianne Miltonnoreply@blogger.com