#1994 learning about treatment

The past couple of days have been intense, emotional and fulfilling. The rehab center where T is getting treatment had their family program. The first day I went to the office here in SLC and met with 20 other parents of kids who are at the RTC. We learned about the therapy model used there (Dialetical Behavior Therapy) and some other scientific stuff. The emotional part came when we had a "parent process group" where we all sat in a circle, introduced ourselves and talked a bit about our kids. I was the first to cry (of course) but not the only one. Some of the other parent's stories were chilling and heartbreaking. I cried several times for others, too.

Today I got to go to Provo to the RTC and spend the whole day with T. It was a sample of their day, but modified for the parents of course. I attended the morning meeting which is run by the residents, not the staff. It's a time for the guys get the news headlines of the day and to talk about what's happening that day at the center. We had breakfast, we had a session in which we learned more about their daily routines and therapy in a little more detail. There was another lecture about what comes after residential treatment, lunch and then a smaller process group before T and I met with his therapist. Therapist Dave got us started, but T and I mostly talked it out through the hour and I think the conversation went well. I felt good about it, and I think T did too.

After that, both T and I were tuckered out and we went into his room where we both fell asleep, waking up just in time to go to dinner with the group. T was able to get a little extra time away, so we went to see the film "I, Tonya". Do you remember the Tonya Harding saga back in the '90s? There was a bit of skating, but most of the story was about Tonya's rise in the figure skating world and her abusive childhood and then marriage. Of course a big part of the film is spent on "the incident", that is the clubbing of Nancy Kerrigan's knee by Tonya's husband's associates.  The movie was funny and tragic. All the characters were well, characters. Holy schmoley. Were they for real?

I'll be headed back to Provo in the morning. T has "phased up" and earned a day pass, so he is coming home for the day. We have agreed to some limits, so I think everything will be okay. I sure did enjoy spending the day with T. It's the first time in awhile that he has been clear-eyed and thoughtful in his speech although still peppered with spicy language.

I'm off to bed. Osi woke me up at 4:30 this morning and I was unable to get back to sleep. It's been a long day. Happy February!