Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evidence of Potentially Harmful Psychological Treatments for Children and Adolescents

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper applies the concept of potentially harmful psychotherapies (PHTs; Lilienfeld, Perspectives on Psychological Science 2(1):53–70, 2007) to concerns about potentially harmful treatments for children and adolescents (PHTCs). I propose that such treatments can be identified by methods derived from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study and from the NIS-4 study of abuse and neglect, as well as by their plausibility or congruence with established child development theory and research. Five psychological treatments for children and adolescents that have been reported as harmful are examined, using evidence from published materials, journalists’ reports, legal documents and Internet sites. Details of treatment and outcomes are compared to relevant ACE and NIS-4 criteria and to plausibility, and empirical support for the treatments is examined. The examined treatments use methods that would be considered adverse childhood experiences or abusive or neglectful care events if they occurred outside a therapeutic setting. Most, but not all, lack empirical support of effectiveness and are incongruent with established information about child development. Risks associated with PHTCs can thus be identified through close examination before children are exposed to them and harmed. Prevention or reduction of PHTC use may be possible. Public and professional education about PHTCs are essential parts of child protection in this context and are arguably an ethical obligation of both social workers and psychologists.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles, news and stories from top researchers in related subjects.

References

  • “Advanced parenting for challenging children: Meet Kali” (n.d.). Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.advancedparenting4kids.com/oregon-trainers/kali-miller/.

  • Amended Complaint.(2014). Anna Kouns vs. Blue Sky, Inc., Circuit Court for Knox County, TN; Docket Number 3-668-14. Unpublished document.

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th edn. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. (2009). Report of the task force on appropriate therapeutic responses to sexual orientation. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx.

  • American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Evidence-based Practice. (2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology. American Psychologist, 61, 271–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • “Attachment therapist Neil Feinberg terrorizes adopted child”. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNollwOulk.

  • “ATTACh Position Statement Against Coercive Treatment”. (2006). Retrieved February 1, 2016, from https://attach.org/about-us/attach-position-statement-regarding-coercive-treatment/.

  • Barlow, D. H. (2010). Negative effects from psychological treatments: A perspective. American Psychologist, 65, 13–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beaudet, A. L. (2012). Preventable forms of autism? Science, 338, 342–343.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Benz, U. (2013a). Festhaltetherapien. Giessen: Psychosozial-Verlag.

  • Benz, U. (2013b). Langzeitfolgen des Festhaltetherapie. In U. Benz (Ed.), Festhaltetherapien (pp. 121–143). Giessen: Psychosozial-Verlag.

  • Bethell, C. D., Newachek, P., Hawes, E., & Halfon, N. (2014). Adverse childhood experiences: Assessing the impact on health and school engagement and the mitigating role of resilience. Health Affairs, 33, 2106–2115.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment. New York: Basic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, R., & Baker, J. (2014). Screams, slaps, and love: The strange birth of applied behaviour analysis. Pediatrics, 133(3). Retrieved Nov. 17, 2016 from http://www.pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/133/3/364.

  • Burchard, F. (1988). Verlaufsstudie zur Festhaltetherapie: Erste Ergebnis bei 85 Kindern. Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie, 37, 89–98.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burkholder, A. (2014). Controversy over shocking people with autism, behavioural disorders. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/controversy-over-shocking-people-with-autism-behavioral-disorders/.

  • Butterfield, W. (1975). Electric shock hazards in aversive conditioning of humans. Behavioral Engineering, 3, 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • “CBS 48 Hours: ‘Afraid of our children’ ”. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaUqeMrkQU.

  • Chaffin, M., Hanson, R., Saunders, B., Nichols, T., Barnett, D., Zeanah, C., & Miller-Perrin, C. (2006). Report of the apsac task force on attachment therapy, reactive attachment disorder, and attachment problems. Child Maltreatment, 11, 76–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, D. P., Whitfield, C. L., Felitti, V. J., Dube, S. R., Edwards, V. J., & Anda, R. F. (2004). Adverse childhood experiences and the risk of depressive disorders in adulthood. Journal of Affective Disorders, 82, 217–225.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • “Christian movements and denominations”. (2011). Retrieved May 20, 2016, from http://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-movements-and-denominations/.

  • Cohen, R. (2006). Coming out straight. Winchester, VA: Oakhill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conn, A.-M., Szilyagi, M., Alpert-Gillis, C., & Baldwin, S. (2016). Mental health problems that mediate treatment utilization among children in foster care. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25, 969–978.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dimidjian, S., & Hollon, S. (2010). How would we know if psychotherapy were harmful? American Psychologist, 65, 21–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dishion, T., McCord, J., & Poulin, F. (1999). When interventions harm: Peer groups and problem behavior. American Psychologist, 54, 755–764.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falk, A. (2012). Woman convicted in her daughter’s death by “water intoxication” released from prison. Salt Lake: Tribune. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://archive.sltrib.com/story.php?ref=/sltrib/news/53270884/killpack-board-child-drink.html.csp.

  • Fallon, B., Trocme, N., & MacLaurin, B. (2011). Should child protection services respond differently to maltreatment, risk of maltreatment, and risk of harm? Child Abuse & Neglect, 35, 236–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FDA-2016-N-1111. (2016). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FDA-2016-N-1111.

  • FDA Executive Summary: Electrical Stimulation Devices for Aversive Conditioning. (2014). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/MedicalDevicesAdvisoryCommittee/UCM394256.pdf.

  • “FDA proposes ban on electrical stimulation devices intended to treat self-injurious or aggressive behavior”. (2016). Retrieved November 15, 2016, from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm497194.htm.

  • Federici, R.S. (2005). Help for the hopeless child. Alexandria, VA: Dr. Ronald S. Federici Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • “Find a therapist in your area”. (2015). Retrieved May 22, 2016, from http://www.attachment.org/find-a-therapist-in-your-area/.

  • “Finding a counselor or life coach.” (2016). Retrieved May 20, 2016, from http://www.peoplecanchange.com/support/counselor.php.

  • Forbes, H., & Dziegielewski, S. (2002). Reactive attachment disorder. In S. Dziegielewski (Ed.), DSM-IV-Tr in action (pp. 143–168). New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. (2015). Advocates hopeful Obama’s support will end gay “conversion therapy”. Time. Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://time.com/3815996/gay-conversion-therapy-barack-obama-lgbt/.

  • Grebenik, D. (2016). A new definition of attachment/regulation. Retrieved May 24, 2016, from http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/adoptive-families/attachment-and-bonding/new-definition-of-attachment-regulation.

  • Grzadzinski, R., Luyster, R., Spencer, A., & Lord, C. (2014). Attachment in young children with autism spectrum disorders: An examination of separation and reunion behaviors with both fathers and mothers. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 18, 85–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haldeman, D. C. (2003). The practice and ethics of sexual orientation conversion therapy. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual experiences (2nd edn., pp. 681–698). New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, F., & Hammond, I. M. (2010). Pigs in the parlor. Kirkwood, MO: Impact Christian Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks, K. (1999). “Reparative” therapy: Whether parental attempts to change a child’s sexual orientation can legally constitute child abuse. American University Law Review, 49, 505–547.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iacbini, A., Petiwala, A., & DeHart, D. (2016). Examining adverse childhood experiences among students repeating the ninth grade: Implications for school dropout prevention. Children and Schools, 38, 218–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • “In the matter of Debra (Kali) Miller, Ph.D.” (2012). Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.obpe.alcsoftware.com/files/miller.debra%20(kali)%20a.f._559.pdf.

  • Israel, M., Blenkush, N., von Heyn, R., & Rivera, P. (2008). Treatment of aggression with behavioral programming that includes supplementary skin-shock. Journal of Behavior Analysis of Offender and Victim: Treatment and Prevention, 1, 119–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • James, B. (1994). Handbook for treatment of attachment-trauma problems in children. New York: Simon and Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jongsma, A.E., Peterson, L.M., McInnis, W.P., & Bruce, T.J. (2014). The child psychotherapy treatment planner, 5th edn. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, L. (2007). Parents defend school’s use of shock therapy. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/nyregion/25shock.html.

  • Kazdin, A. (1990). Conduct disorders. In A. Bellack, M. Hersen, & A. Kazdin (Eds.), International handbook of behavior modification and therapy (2nd edn., pp. 669–706). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Koocher, G. (1976). Civil liberties and aversive conditioning for children. American, Psychologist, 31, 94–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, S., Havik, O., Havik, T., & Heiervang, E. (2013). Mental disorders in foster children: A study of prevalence, comorbidity and risk factors. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 7, 39–63.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, V. S. (1997). Behavior change as reported by caregivers of children receiving holding therapy. Retrieved February 28, 2013, from http://bellsouthpwp.net/e/i/eiseles/research_lester.html.

  • Lilienfeld, S. O. (2007). Psychological treatments that cause harm. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2, 53–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linden, M. (2013). How to define, find, and classify side effects in psychotherapy from unwanted events to adverse treatment reactions. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 20, 286–296.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Linscheid, T. R., Iwata, B. A., Ricketts, R. W., Williams, D. E., & Griffin, J. C. (1990). Clinical evaluation of the self-injurious behavior inhibiting system (SIBIS). Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 23, 53–78.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lipsey, M. (1992). Juvenile delinquency treatment: A met-analytic inquiry into the variability of effects. In T. Cook, H. Cooper, D. Cordray, H. Hartmann, L. Hedges, R. Light, … F. Mosteller (Eds.), Meta-analysis for explanation: A casebook (pp. 83–127). New York: Russell Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Marie-Mitchell, A., Struder, K., & O’Connor, T. (2016). How knowledge of adverse childhood experiences can help pediatricians prevent mental health problems. Journal of Collaborative Family HealthCare, 34, 128–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marlan, T. (2000). A most dangerous method. Chicago: Chicago Reader. Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/a-most-dangerous-method/Content?oid=903012.

  • “Martha Welch ‘Mothering Center’ Clip”. (n.d.) Retrieved January 17, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPaNe0g9_-ww.

  • McCabe, J., Brewster, K., & Tillman, K. (2011). Patterns and correlates of same-sex sexual activity among U.S. teenagers and young adults. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 43, 142–150.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKeachin, J., Smith, T., & Lovaas, O. I. (1993). Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 97, 373–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, J. (2001). “Attachment therapy” using deliberate restraint: An object lesson on the identification of unvalidated treatments. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 14, 105–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, J. (2013). Holding therapy: A harmful alternative mental health intervention. Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 18, 70–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, J. (2015). Attachment therapy. In S. O. Lilienfeld, S. J. Lynn, & J. M. Lohr (Eds.), Science and pseudoscience in clinical psychology (2nd edn., pp. 466–499). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mercer, J., Sarner, L., & Rosa, L. (2003). Attachment therapy on trial. Westport, CT: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison, L., Duryea, P. B., Moore, C., & Nathanson-Shinn, A. (2002). The lethal hazard of prone restraint: Positional asphyxia. Retrieved January 17, 2016, from http://www.disabilityrightsca.org.pubs/701801.pdf.

  • Myeroff, R., Mertlich, G., & Gross, G. (1999). Comparative effectiveness of holding therapy with aggressive children. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 29, 303–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, D., & Waters, A. (2006). The use of an unpleasant sound as an unconditional stimulus in a human aversive Pavlovian conditioning procedure. Biological Psychology, 73, 175–185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neumann, D., Waters, A., & Westbury, H. R. (2008). The use of an unpleasant sound as the unconditional stimulus in aversive Pavlovian conditioning experiments that involve children and adolescent participants. Behavior Research Methods, 40, 622–625.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nock, M., Kazdin, A., Hiripi, E., & Kessler, R. (2007). Lifetime prevalence, correlates, and persistence of oppositional defiant disorder: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 703–713.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Norcross, J., Koocher, G., & Garofalo, A. (2006). Discredited psychological treatments and tests: A Delphi poll. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 37, 515–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perou, R., Bitsko, R., Blumberg, S., Pastor, P., Ghandour, R., Gfroerer, J. … Huang, L. (2013). Mental health surveillance among children—United States, 2005–2011. MMWR: Morbidity & Mortality Monthly Report, 62, 1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petrosino, A., Turpin-Petrosino, C., & Buehler, J. (2005). Scared Straight and other juvenile awareness programs for preventing juvenile delinquency. Scientific Review of Mental Health Practice, 4, 48–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • “Portland therapist loses license after prescribing bottle feeding, confinement for 11-year-old boy.” (2015). Retrieved January 7, 2015, from http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/03/portland_therapist_loses_licen.html.

  • Prekop, J. (1983). Das Festhalten als Therapie bei Kindern mit Autismus-Syndrom. Anwendung der Therapie durch ‘Festhalten’ nach Welch/Tinbergen. Teil 1. Fruehfoerderung Interdisziplinaer, 2, 54–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prekop, J. (2006). Der kleine Tyrann [The little tyrant]. Muenchen: Goldmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prekop, J., & Hellinger, B. (2010). Wenn ihr wuestet, wie ich euch liebe [If you knew how much I love you]. Muenchen: Knaur TB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prekop, J., & von Stosch, T. (n.d.). Festhaltetherapie in Urteil von Eltern—eine Nachuntersuchung zur Wirksamheit ein psychotherapeutischen Vehrfahrens. Retrieved February 28, 2013, from http://www.prekop-festhalten.de/festhaltetherapie.html.

  • Reber, K. (1996). Children at risk for reactive attachment disorder: Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Progress: Family Systems Research and Therapy, 5, 83–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • “Recognition of psychotherapy effectiveness”. (2012). Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://www.apa.org/about/policy/resolution-psychotherapy.aspx.

  • Rohmann, U. H., & Hartmann, H. (1985). Modifizierte Festhaltetherapie (MFT). Eine Basistherapie zur Behandlung autistischer Kinder. Zeitschrift fuer Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, 13, 182–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salvy, S.-J., Mulick, J., Butter, E., Bartlett, R., & Linscheid, T. (2004). Contingent electric shock (SIBIS) and a conditioned punisher eliminate severe head banging in a preschool child. Behavioral Interventions, 19, 59–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlanger, Z. (2015). Jonah, the largest Jewish gay conversion therapy organization, takes its last breath. Newsweek. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.newsweek.com/life-and-death-jewish-exgay-therapy-organization-406898.

  • Schopler, E. (2012). Changing parental involvement in behavioral treatment. In M. Rutter & E. Schopler (Eds.), Autism: A reappraisal of concepts and treatment (pp. 413–421). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroll, J. B., Penninga, E. I., & Gotzsche, P. C. (2016). Assessment of adverse events in protocols, clinical study reports, and published papers of trials of orlistat: A document analysis. Retrieved August 18, 2016, from http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.10021101.

  • Sedlak, A. J., Mettenberg, J., Basena, M., Petta, I., McPherson, K., & Li, S. (2010). Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-4): Report to Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

    Google Scholar 

  • “Seminars”. (2015). Retrieved May 22, 2016, from http://www.attachment.org/seminars/.

  • Serovich, J. M., Craft, S. M., Toviessi, P., Gangamma, R., McDowell, T., & Grafsky, E. L. (2008). A systematic review of the research base on sexual reorientation therapies. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 34, 227–238.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Soke, G., Rosenberg, S., Hamman, R., Fingerlin, T., Robinson, C., Carpenter, L., … DiGuiseppi, C. (2016). Brief report: Prevalence of self-injurious behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder: A population-based study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 46, 3607–3614.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • State of North Carolina v. Paul Joseph Salvetti. (2010). Retrieved January 19, 2016, from https://appellate.nccourts.org/opinions/?c=2&pdf=5372.

  • “STOP Jirina Prekopova Attachment Therapy” (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w3Ihg65HV8.

  • Stryker, R. (2010). The road to evergreen. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Ending conversion therapy: Supporting and affirming LGBTQ youth. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 15-4928. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sudbery, J., Shardlow, S. M., & Huntington, A. E. (2010). To have and to hold: Questions about a therapeutic service for children. British Journal of Social Work, 40, 1534–1552.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://www.acestudy.org.

  • Thomas, N. (2000). Parenting children with attachment disorders. In T. M. Levy (Ed.), Handbook of attachment interventions (pp. 67–111). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thyer, B., & Pignotti, M. (2015). Science and pseudoscience in social work practice. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinbergen, N., & Tinbergen, E. (1983). “Autistic” children: New hope for a cure. Hemel Hempstead: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • “Trial set in malpractice suit”. (1971). Flagstaff, AZ: Sun, p. 2.

  • Vandiver, S., & Malcolm, K. (2009). Adoption USA: A chartbook based on the 2007 national survey of adoptive parents. Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://www.aspe.hhs.gov.

  • van Oorsouw, W., Israel, M., von Heyn, R., & Duker, P. (2007). Side effects of contingent shock treatment. Research on Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved November 14, 2016, from http://www.effectivetreatment.org/SideEffectsContingent.pdf.

  • Walsh, C., Reutz, J. R., & Williams, R. (2015). Selecting and implementing evidence-based practices: A guide for child and family serving systems. Retrieved January 17, 2016, from http://www.cebc4cw.org/implementing-programs/guide/.

  • Waschbusch, D., Bernstein, M., Mazzant, J., Willoughby, M., Haas, S., Coles, E., & Pelham, W. (2016). A case study examining fixed versus randomized criteria for treating a child with conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits. Evidence Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 1, 73–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, J. (2015). The new apostolic reformation. Jefferson, NC: McFarland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, M. G. (1989). Holding time. New York: Fireside.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welch, M. G., Northrup, R. S., Welch-Horan, T. B., Ludwig, R. J., Austin, C. L., & Jacobson, J. S. (2006). Outcomes of prolonged parent–child embrace therapy among 102 children with behavioral disorders. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 12, 3–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wimmer, J., Vonk, M. E., & Bordnick, P. (2009). A preliminary investigation of the effectiveness of attachment therapy for children with reactive attachment disorder. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 26, 351–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Young, S. (2006). Does “reparative” therapy really constitute child abuse? Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law, and Ethics. Retrieved January 12, 2016, from http://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu/yjhple/vol16/iss1/3.

  • Zaslow, R., & Menta, M. (1975). The psychology of the Z-process: Attachment and activity. San Jose, CA: San Jose State University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zorzela, L., Loke, Y. K., Ioannidis, J. P., Golder, S., Santaguida, P., Altman, D. G., … PRISMA Harms Group. (2016). PRISMA harms checklist: Improving harms reporting in systematic reviews. British Medical Journal, 352. Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/352/bmj.i157.full.pdf.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stockton University, 134 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ, 08057, USA

    Jean Mercer

Authors
  1. Jean Mercer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean Mercer.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Jean Mercer declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by the author.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mercer, J. Evidence of Potentially Harmful Psychological Treatments for Children and Adolescents. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 34, 107–125 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-016-0480-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-016-0480-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation