Comments about ‘Fed report points out problems with some therapy programs’

As a licensed mental health professional, I would also mention that these types of corporal and punitive methods of so-called "treatment" are contraindicated for children and teenagers who are diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant or Conduct Disorder. How many more kids with these more severe types of diagnoses do we need to mess up in these archaic methods of intervention? Can it work for some people . . . yes. But careful screening of the more significant underlying problems needs to be done before proceeding.

Having worked closely in a professional capacity with licensed mental health professionals, I'm amazed at how divided the mental health community is on boot-camp-type outreach programs for troubled youth. The most ardent supporters are those who have ownership interest in these programs or receive a kick-back, typically in the form of follow-up referral work. The one's who have no vested interests in these programs or are not looking for referral work from these programs are typically very reticent to outright ambivalent towards these programs.

I believe that any licensed professional who has a vested interests or involvement in these 'for profit' (and they do rake in the bucks!) programs should carry a bond/insurance rating against their practice and license that is 4 to 8 times that for a non-program affiliated licensed professional, then we'll see how supporting they are of the processes and techniques.

Not only is these programs contraindicated for Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder, but for Tourette's and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as well... This is especially disquieting, since over 80% of those enrolled in these programs have one or more of these disorders to one degree or another.

What happened to, "Physician do no harm."?