<p>"just as a parent" the OP questioned whether D should EVEN GO away to college. While I agree it sounds like she should go, I would not dismiss a parents gut instincts on their child. What is the down side of setting D up with a therapist at school?? I agree with jym- phone and email don't allow you to really see what is going on with someone.</p>
<p>If D had a sore throat or tooth ache would you describe it over the phone and expect the best diagnosis??</p>
<p>Thank you, 4giggles. As an aside, I never once addressed the "ethics" of the op's daus therapist's actions in ANY of my posts (I believe Allmusic addressed it on one or two of her posts). To throw around accusations of opinions expressed here as being "unprofessional" or "unethical" is simply out of line.</p>
<p>JYM,</p>
<p>Sorry - you asked this earlier and I never saw it: "Mom,
Just curious- on what are you basing this opinion?"</p>
<p>I am basing it on how I've seen primary care physicians deal with people I know. Purely anecdotal. I do think that the current trend is to refer to the minimum credential needed for the problem, whether for mental or physical issues - hence the rise of nurse practioners and such. I'm not going to get into a discussion on whether this is right or not, or whether this happens in all areas of the country. It's just what I've seen.</p>
<p>As helpful to the OP as it is for people to argue with each other intead of providing advice, I think that maybe we should get back on topic.</p>
<p>As a student who has been in a similar situation, I can tell you that it doesn't sound like a major depressive episode. If the OP's daughter was depressed it most likely would've shown up during her freshman year at college, not after. We would have seen poor grades, withdrawal, maybe some substance abuse.</p>
<p>But instead she made friends and it sounds like she likes school enough to really want to go back.</p>
<p>Keeping her out of school could only exacerbate the problem and strain her relationship with her mother. Bringing her home a month into the semester will be easier than sending her late.</p>
<p>The OP also failed to mention any concerns about her daughter's bodily safety. She is not doing anything 'serious' or 'dangerous.'</p>
<p>I applaud the OP for finding a professional to help her daughter. This professional may not be a psychologist but rather a therapist or a counselor. Either way things seem to have gotten better.</p>
<p>I wish the OP and her daughter a sucessful and healthy year.</p>
<p>Momwaitingfornew,
Sadly, the reality in this day and age is that the direction of many of the referrals to providers is now driven by the insurance companies. I think that is why you are often seeing referrals made to more "cost effective"(for lack of a better word) providers such as clinical nurse specialists, PA's etc (though they, especially the PA's, are usually under an MD's supervision). But that is a discussion for another thread (perhaps the thread about Michael Moore's movie "Sicko").</p>
<p>ses-
There are lots of things that can trigger a major depressive episode. Certainly transition to college and all the stressors that go along with can be one, but there are lots of triggers, not to mention biochemical changes that may have no situational component. It can happen any place, and at any time. There are also lots of other diagnoses that could account for the OP's daus issues. I believe those of us posting on this thread who are in the medical and/or mental health field do have the OP and her dau's best interests at heart. To be villified as unprofessional or unethical is inappropriate, not to mention defamatory. OK, enough said on that topic.</p>
<p>To everyone who offered advice - thank you for all of your thoughts. I have read and will re read them carefully for your valuable input.</p>
<p>As far as the the therapist - the therapist does have a PhD and over 20 years of experience primarily in adolescent issues. I did research the therapist and found several articles as author or co-author in the Journal of Adolescent Psychology and at least one other professional publication. I also found a study the therapist helped devise while doing pre-doctoral work at a major School of Medicine. </p>
<p>As for the two times per week - it was a matter of conflicting schedules. The therapist saw my D two times a week for two weeks ONLY and then left on vacation. The therapist is still on vacation and my D leaves this weekend.</p>
<p>The therapist DID suggest that my D see a counselor at her university or a private therapist outside the university. My D refused, so the therapist offered e-mail or telephone consultations with the hope that D can be persuaded to find a local therapist that D will be happy with.</p>
<p>As far as taxis - YES, my D has been overcharged by taxi drivers. The very first time she took a taxi to the airport the taxi was 20 minutes late. The service offered a flat rate to the airport, but on arrival the driver demanded more money as it took longer to get to the airport than normal due to heavy traffic. She did not want to argue with him as due to the driver's late arrival and the traffic she needed to check in right away with the airline or she would miss the check in deadline. The taxi service acknowledged she had been overcharged. It was a $7 overcharge and took three months to obtain a refund. Another time she took a taxi service recommended by her university from the airport to the university. Another student was picked up at the same time by the driver. The taxi driver told them he had a special rate for them - $30 each. The two students looked at each other and said doesn't your company charge a flat fee of $25 plus a charge for an extra passenger? They ended up paying $20 each where they should have paid $15 each so the taxi cab driver made an extra $10. These prices do not include tips. It is a frustrating situation.</p>
<p>Find a car service and find a service that will pick up and deliver for an agreed rate--that will be billed to your credit card?</p>
<p>If the kid does not want to go off campus for a private therapist, what is the point of forcing the issue? There is no indication that she is suicidal or suffering from a severe psychiatric episode. It seems to me that forcing the issue just causes more stress for the kid, and no therapist in the world can do much for a patient that doesn't want to be there in any case.</p>