Dr. Michael Gass, LMFT
Professor at University of New Hampshire Michael.Gass@unh.edu
July 2, 2012
On Parent Choices for Struggling Teens, Lon Woodbury's guests included Mike Petree, the CEO of Outcome Tools and Dr. Michael Gass, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, discussing their research project with NATSAP (National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs). This project utilizes YOQ -youth outcome questionnaires that are administered to parents and their child at both intake, graduation and during follow-up; where a set number of questions are asked based on six subscales, and they are asked to score each category. Once the numbers come in, they look at the statistic change and clinical change in the child and are able to track treatment programs and their effectiveness on their clients.
Mike Petree shared that a major purpose of the "NATSAP data base is to find the "clusters of success" within the treatment programs. The data gives an x-ray of the program outcomes, adding "this x-ray can be both intimidating and empowering to the programs." Dr. Michael Gass added, "This tool (YOQ) has shown that these adolescents are in need of clinical treatment programs." Yet, he reminded the viewing audience that this project is measured only by the 'participating' NATSAP programs.
When asked about success rates and what that really means, both guests agreed that it depends on the variables and these variables are different with each family. Same with Outcome Studies…Lon shared for parents to "be cautious and ask lots of questions when considering outcome studies for placement because some programs 'cherry pick' the results they share when disclosing their outcome study."
Lon Woodbury is the owner/founder of Woodbury Reports Inc. and www.strugglingteens.com. He has worked with families and struggling teens since 1984 and is the host of Parent Choices for Struggling Teens on LATalkRadio Mondays at 12:00pm, Pacific Time, Channel One.
Mike Petree is the CEO of Outcome Tools, a web based research system. Prior to this, Mike was involved in youth treatment for 13 years and specializes in youth program development and outcomes research. Mike has a Masters of Counseling in Psychology.
Dr. Michael Gass is a Professor at the University of New Hampshire, a LMFT and is the current Editor of the Journal for Therapeutic Schools and Programs, which is published by NATSAP. Michael directs two research initiatives in the field of adventure therapy: one as Director of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Consortium and another as Director of the NATSAP Research Database.
This segment was sponsored by Spring Ridge Academy, 928-632-4602, www.springridgeacademy.com, a Therapeutic Boarding School for Girls in Arizona.
