The Interpreted Rock

 By Stephen C. Schultz 11 Common Parent Questions with Reassuring, Honest Answers When parents first become aware of concerning sexual behaviors in their child, fear and uncertainty often take over. The questions below reflect what families most commonly ask—and the answers are grounded in clinical understanding, compassion, and hope. “Does this mean my child is a sex offender?” No. Problematic sexual behavior describes a pattern of behavior , not a label or an identity. Adolescents’ brains are still developing, and behavior can change significantly with the right support. Most teens who receive appropriate, early treatment do not go on to commit sexual offenses as adults. “If we name this, will it follow my child forever?” Naming a concern clinically is not the same as labeling a child permanently. In fact, avoiding the issue often increases the chance that problems escalate or draw unwanted attention later. Addressing concerns early and appropriately is one of the strongest ways...

By Stephen Schultz (Editor’s Note: This article was inspired by a conversation I had with a mother whose son was in crisis.) The concept of Medical Necessity sits at the center of modern behavioral health insurance coverage. At its core, it is a reasonable and well-intended standard: to ensure that individuals receive the right level of care at the right time, while avoiding unnecessary or overly intensive services. When applied thoughtfully, Medical Necessity protects both patients and systems. In practice, however—particularly when authorizing residential or inpatient care for adolescents—the application of Medical Necessity can produce outcomes that run counter to its original purpose. When Cost Containment Becomes Care Shaping Medical Necessity standards were developed, in part, to reduce excessive utilization and control escalating costs. The underlying assumption is that less restrictive, lower-cost services should be attempted first, with higher levels of care approved only whe...