[Yeti]

If they're still in that home, they need to move out quietly. Duck the press. Keep the cameras away.

I agree with most of what you said, but I think they should wait until after the trial before they move. Otherwise they will just have to move again shortly. And I think living in that house for now can help give her a sense of being "back home" and that could be a good thing.

I fear that you could be right about her counselling being primarily through the church. I think that faith-based counsellors are often good and sufficient, but in this case I think she could use some really expert help. Clergy counselling is generally going to be limited to "you're still pure in the eyes of God, the church and the community support you, your family loves you, God loves you, you're not to blame for what happened."

All of which is good and true and helpful, but I think she could us some guidance in dealing with some deeper-seated, more subtle and insidious issues, like developig a healthy way to think of herself that includes the realities of the feelings she had when she was with the guy, and a more intimate treatment of the physical changes associated with having been sexually active on a regular basis for 9 months.

Most of all, developing a strong sense of self and a sense of the continuity of that self -- despite having experienced that sense of self change diametrically in the past -- will be difficult. Any way she deals with it, she will have to work to build an idea of herself as having the potential for loyalty and personal strength beyond the influences immediately surrounding her, in a way that deals with any guilt or self-reproach she might feel about what happened. That will be difficult to do without falling back on a kind of blind denial about events. Forgiving herself for breaking, and all of that...

She has the potential to develop strength from what happened if it is dealt with properly, not just swept under the rug and forgotten or ignored.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Great post - thank you!

[Utah Girl]

According to the news last night, the Smarts have gotten counseling for Elizabeth.

[Choose Ye This Day]

"I fear that you could be right about her counselling being primarily through the church."

She will definitely receive counselling through the church, which serves to help her deal with her needs of spiritual healing.

I don't find it useful to speculate on anything else the family may or may not choose to do, nor their motivations. After all, Elizabeth is their daighter, and they know her best. However, you hastily jump to the conclusion that the family won't get her any "professional" counselling. You don't know this; nor do I. However, I know her parents want the very best for her--they want her whole and healed. And the father is certainly financially able to afford the best "professional" help available, what with owning a successful real estate company.

What if we all just leave the parenting to the Smarts? Armchair quarterbacks have their place--yelling at the TV during the Broncos game, for example--but I don't see it as our place in the case of a young child being kidnapped, raped, and brainwashed.

[demnomo]

Loved your post #221 and your comments. It is good to know that there are more FReepers who are not blaming, accusing and castigating the Smart family and Elizabeth because Elizabeth was found to be alive instead of dead after nearly nine months of what appears to be survival tactics at the hands of two obviously demented, unpredictable creeps. I am amazed at some of the sick speculation and suspicions.

[demnomo]

Ooops. I meant to say that I agreed with your post # 291.