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Have a 15 year old who we have adopted out of foster care. He has been seeing this particular therapist for several months twice a week for a hour. We do know that the child is actually engaging with this therapist, however, we also know he is also telling him a bunch of nonsense as well. The therapist knows when he is "pulling his leg", but I am concerned at this point the only thing the child is doing is manipulating and therefore where is the constructiveness of the therapy? I do believe the therapist has a good idea of the child's needs to include a very high IQ. But when do you know despite a good therapist's efforts that the child is not going to be receptive or a break is needed. There have been no changes in the problems and behaviors since therapy has begun. Any thoughts welcome!
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is twice a week needed? IMO if therapy that intense is needed there should be pretty severe behaviors going on. maybe backing off to one day a week and see how that works -- maybe he doesn't have enough to work on for two days? My oldest just backed off to once a week from two days for the past year. I could tell it was time when he appeared to be running out of things to say and do. I talked with him and the therapist and we agreed to go to once a week. however, you might want to check because of his age he may have more say in attending therapy -- there is some types of therapy where a kid that age has more say. I know chemical dependency treatment/ therapy is one of them. as the other poster said maybe he just needs a break for a bit?
Any psychotherapist worth his or her salt can tell when a youngster is manipulating, lying, or triangulating, especially if they specialize in children and adolescents. If I were you, I'd have a heart-to-heart talk with the therapist, just to make sure you're both on the same page.ETA: Of course, there are a lot of therapists out there who aren't worth their salt, IMHO. The hard part is finding out which ones are good and which ones are lousy...