(Edited by XxCrazyDawg69xX at 3:31 am on Jan. 28, 2004)

-------
Self-Injury Information

Eating Disorders Information

---

If you find after several appointments that a therapist isn’t helping at all, you should consider finding a new therapist.  It should be noted that several appointments usually isn’t enough for you to be “all better,” but you should feel like it’s helping a little.

---

I think the main thing in deciding whether it's "helping" is to decide if you're talking.  If you find yourself really talking about important things in sessions, and the therapist's questions make sense to you, then it's probably helping.  And not EVERY session needs to be productive.  There will be many unproductive sessions.  If you still feel comfortable during those sessions, and they are mixed in with ones where you talk a lot about deep shit, then you're doing well.

Also, I think a good therapist should ask a hell of alot more than he or she tells.

How does medication fit into therapy?
If you are over 13, no one can legally force you to take medication that you don’t want to take.  

Source?  I think this needs to be explored further.  I believe it is far more accurate to say that no one can legally force you to take medication that you don't want to take without going through commitment proceedings.  Here you're providing legal advice/information, so I would tread very carefully.

Another wonderful Tempral masterpiece.  You get my vote for LiveWire MVP -- Most Valuable Poster.  Bravo.

-------
"Heroes never asked for status
Victims never asked for pain" -- Cold
My Xanga site

I got this information from a professional psychologist I know, I sometimes ask him about his job and what he does in it and things along that line, so I've learned a lot from him.

-------
The prettiest little liar there ever could be.
Heads up, BFFs!  
It's open season on liars and I'm hunting! - A

---

By the way, yes, it's true that you if you are over 13 you cannot be forced to take medicine against your will.  I think it's also important to point out that if you're over 13 the psychologist is not supposed to tell your parents anything without your consent, unless there is a risk to yourself and others (note: serious injury or death, SI does not necessarily need to be reported to parents, unless there is risk of suicide.)

I got this information from a professional psychologist I know, I sometimes ask him about his job and what he does in it and things along that line, so I've learned a lot from him.

---

There needs to be the caveat that a judge can order medication against the person's will.  The person believing medication is required must go to court and make a case, and the judge decides.

Also, when you are interviewing therapists, you should ask a lot of questions about confidentiality, including hypotheticals to learn just what circumstances the therapist would believe constitute an imminent threat of serious harm.  Therapists can interpret the standards differently, so you will want to find one whose standard you can live with.
Also, in most if not all states, a therapist who learns any information in therapy that leads him or her to suspect that the child is being abused is required by law to report to child protective services.

Confidentiality is a very leaky bucket these days.  The most secure confidential relationship remaining is the attorney-client relationship, and even that one has holes.  Not many, but some.  Unfortunately, lawyers are about the least-suitable sources of psychological assistance around, especially good lawyers.

-------
"Heroes never asked for status
Victims never asked for pain" -- Cold
My Xanga site

Thank you for posting this.  If I'd read this those months ago I would have been a lot happier.  I hope that can happen to someone here.