IS it possible to see improvement Quickly

[Charlett]

My daughter has been in therapy since last may. She was severley deprressed, cutting, failing school, looking for trouble fighting and other issues. She had been medicated and hospitalized at one point. She is off medications now. We switched therapists last month, I think I am seeing a positive change. She seems to be thinking about her choices, her grade are up, she is passing. She states she feels happy and she doesn't want to die. This was the first week she saw the therapist alone(she always wanted me there). She left the session crying but was ok about one hour after. And she did not need to tell me about the sesssion. I was wondering if things can start to change in a month. Maybe the other therapist coud not reach her? I realy do not know, but it seems to be getting better for now at least. CHarlett

[Mike Bradley]

Dear Chatlett,
When I supervise therapists in training, I like to say that in working with adolescents there are three critical factors that determine outcome: Timing, timing, and timing. Most kids are inherently therapy-resistant. They usually are forced into seeing shrinks and thus hate the process, particularly at first. But as time passes, they usually start to ease up a bit and become more able to participate in their therapy. Yes, perhaps the first shrink was a dud, but in general, a kid's second shrink usually looks like a genius compared to the first, even if the first was the better of the two. In many ways, the first shrink (like the Marines) gets to deal with all the nasty (resistance and rebellion) issues, and clears the way for the second to look so effective.
In any case, stop worrying about this boring therapist effectiveness stuff, and instead enjoy this time with your child. You've certainly earned it after all you guys have been through. And please don't get too despondent if she takes a downturn. Remember that in assessing growth we look for trends, not overnight miracles. As long as the "Ups" are increasing and the "Downs" are diminishing, you're on the right path. I'll light a candle in the hope that your family are past the worst.
Be well.

[Charlett]

thankyou for the kind thoughts and insight.