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From: John Tetnowski
Date: 22 Oct 2010
Time: 09:32:04 -0500
Remote Name: 130.70.138.144
Dear MB, I have seen this happen in several situations. In most of these situations, the client has been in therapy for quite some time and has made the decision that they don't want to continue any longer. I believe that when teens or older children have no interest in change, it is pretty hard to force them. What has worked well for me is to convene a meeting with the child and the parents. I let them know that I would be willing to support the child's decision to not attend therapy, as long as they come to a monthly self-help/support group meeting. In that way, the child can at least be connected to a helping situation and can begin formal therapy (or choose not to) whenever they make it their own decision. Quite often, they ask to reinstitute therapy on their own, and often do better because of the exposure to other group members, and because of it being their own personal choice. Thanks for the question. John Tetnowski