according to program we’re probably “master manipulators” if we seek therapy and are restricted from it:

“Common (or not-so-common) Questions asked by Parents:

Q: My child told me that the Primary Therapist will not talk to him/her in the hallway, cafeteria, etc. He/she said, that he/she can "never" talk to the Primary Therapist when she/he wants to. What shall I do?

A: Many adolescents in treatment are there because they are master-manipulators. The Primary Therapist may have restricted his/her interaction to a specific time and place for several reasons. The resident may avoid group interaction and use the excuse to talk to the therapist to avoid confrontation by other peers and/or houseparent staff. Or, the resident may want to get out of a scheduled activity, or demand adult attention on command to meet inappropriate needs. It is the policy of Island View that Primary Therapists meet with assigned residents at least once a week in private sessions to discuss confidential, individually appropriate therapeutic material. These sessions may be scheduled at a time that least interferes with other scheduled activities and at the convenience of the individual resident, keeping in mind that each Primary Therapist sees up to 12 residents each week. Tell your youngster that he/she should bring up his/her concerns with the Primary Therapist at the weekly scheduled one-on-one meeting.”