Therapy or abuse? Controversial treatments may sink Cascade

Speltz thinks holding therapy should be outlawed, and it baffles Mercer why many states still allow it. A bill sponsored by former state Rep. Mike Thompson, R-Orem, that would have banned holding therapy in Utah died from lack of support in the 2003 Legislature.

VanBloem has heard the attacks on holding therapy so many times he has them memorized. He can laugh at most of them, but what hurts is what the attacks have done to his business, his family and the children who he says need his help.

"They say I'm a cult leader. They say I brainwash people. It would be funny if it wasn't so serious," VanBloem says, sitting on the floor of Risenmay's house.

"Yeah, we've been brainwashed," Risenmay scoffs. "I have books and books, boxes and boxes stacked in my basement of research on holding therapy."

"Almost all the therapy out there has no more research than this. Our therapy has been supported by a peer-reviewed study published in an academic journal," VanBloem says. "What more do they want?"

He looks tired. His eyes are surrounded by dark circles. He has nearly gone broke fighting for the right to keep practicing. A year ago, he thought he was going to have to shut his business down.

"It's moment to moment. We're just staving off disaster," he says. "But you look at the kids, you look in their eyes, and you've got to do it."

"I love the children," he says, his voice cracking. "I love the children."

What is holding therapy?

A child lies down on a mat or across the laps of one or two therapists. A blanket is placed over the child if he or she requests it. The therapist prods the child to release pent-up rage through talking, physical prodding to the abdomen area or forcing eye contact with the child. If the child is lying on a mat, the therapist lies on one side of the child, the mother on the other side. If the child becomes violent, his or her arms and legs are restrained.

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