Meg Appelgate

My parents were literally told that if they didn't do something and quick, I would die. You'd be surprised how they can light a fire under a parent's butt to make a move.

My parents were literally told that if they didn't do something and quick, I would die. You'd be surprised how they can light a fire under a parent's butt to make a move.

Yep. And they take it even further, often claiming to be experts in an impossibly wide range of mental health diagnoses and behavioral issues to caregivers. They'll put lots of colorful pictures of smiling kids on their websites and show off horses and other animals you might see if you enroll.

Yep. And they take it even further, often claiming to be experts in an impossibly wide range of mental health diagnoses and behavioral issues to caregivers. They'll put lots of colorful pictures of smiling kids on their websites and show off horses and other animals you might see if you enroll.

Yep. And they take it even further, often claiming to be experts in an impossibly wide range of mental health diagnoses and behavioral issues to caregivers. They'll put lots of colorful pictures of smiling kids on their websites and show off horses and other animals you might see if you enroll.

Exactly. They even use therapeutic buzzwords like evidence-based and trauma-informed care to draw in caregivers. But when my team at Unsilenced and I investigated, we found that most programs either don't use these methods at all or they misuse them. For instance, they might use therapeutic methods as a form of punishment for unwanted behavior.

Exactly. They even use therapeutic buzzwords like evidence-based and trauma-informed care to draw in caregivers. But when my team at Unsilenced and I investigated, we found that most programs either don't use these methods at all or they misuse them. For instance, they might use therapeutic methods as a form of punishment for unwanted behavior.

Exactly. They even use therapeutic buzzwords like evidence-based and trauma-informed care to draw in caregivers. But when my team at Unsilenced and I investigated, we found that most programs either don't use these methods at all or they misuse them. For instance, they might use therapeutic methods as a form of punishment for unwanted behavior.

Not even close. And as I'm sure you know, a therapeutic relationship with a therapist can only exist when it's rooted in trust between the patient and the provider. But these facilities that claim to provide mental health treatment are holding kids against their will. So the relationship is often inherently rooted in distrust.

Not even close. And as I'm sure you know, a therapeutic relationship with a therapist can only exist when it's rooted in trust between the patient and the provider. But these facilities that claim to provide mental health treatment are holding kids against their will. So the relationship is often inherently rooted in distrust.

Not even close. And as I'm sure you know, a therapeutic relationship with a therapist can only exist when it's rooted in trust between the patient and the provider. But these facilities that claim to provide mental health treatment are holding kids against their will. So the relationship is often inherently rooted in distrust.

Exactly. And it's sad because survivors of these programs often leave skeptical and fearful of therapy because of the experiences. This leads to them being hesitant to seek out help even when they really need it. For example, the abuse I experienced while I was in the program came directly from my two therapists.

Exactly. And it's sad because survivors of these programs often leave skeptical and fearful of therapy because of the experiences. This leads to them being hesitant to seek out help even when they really need it. For example, the abuse I experienced while I was in the program came directly from my two therapists.

Exactly. And it's sad because survivors of these programs often leave skeptical and fearful of therapy because of the experiences. This leads to them being hesitant to seek out help even when they really need it. For example, the abuse I experienced while I was in the program came directly from my two therapists.

But because it came from people who had the title therapist, it didn't register as being abusive at the time. But now as an adult, it is extremely hard to trust or even go to a new therapist because of what happened to me.

But because it came from people who had the title therapist, it didn't register as being abusive at the time. But now as an adult, it is extremely hard to trust or even go to a new therapist because of what happened to me.

But because it came from people who had the title therapist, it didn't register as being abusive at the time. But now as an adult, it is extremely hard to trust or even go to a new therapist because of what happened to me.

Sure. In my line of work, I've learned to embrace being an open book. I experienced things like forced isolation, incorrect diagnoses and forced medication, name-calling and belittlement, forced labor to the point of injury, medical neglect. I had 8 to 16 hours of attack therapy per week. I experienced the removal of food and essential items as punishment.

Sure. In my line of work, I've learned to embrace being an open book. I experienced things like forced isolation, incorrect diagnoses and forced medication, name-calling and belittlement, forced labor to the point of injury, medical neglect. I had 8 to 16 hours of attack therapy per week. I experienced the removal of food and essential items as punishment.

Sure. In my line of work, I've learned to embrace being an open book. I experienced things like forced isolation, incorrect diagnoses and forced medication, name-calling and belittlement, forced labor to the point of injury, medical neglect. I had 8 to 16 hours of attack therapy per week. I experienced the removal of food and essential items as punishment.