your child freedom formula - has anyone tried it?

[lu9months]

ive seen adverts for this on fb. they claim to be able to cure anxiety in young people. im suspicious - and nowhere does it tell you the cost. however im fairly desperate since my 16 year old is very disabled by anxiety. thanks

[quote JungleMum40]@Soontobe60 why when I have started this as my family give you 3 bits of advice ? When you have been nothing but rude to me on here ? There is NOT 3 pieces of advice I can simply give to you because it is a commitment, it’s extremely different from CAHMS as we have all agreed they are absolutely shocking, these lovely people have given me hope, as I said there is not simply 3 pieces of information that I can give to you to you as my daughter is going through it not me. All I can say is go and try it for yourself.[/quote]
I’m far too intelligent and not at all gullible enough to throw away £5k of money on quackery with absolutely no proven positive outcomes.
Anyone who claims that this ‘programme’ is ‘life saving’ and yet are not willing to share their methods is not worthy of respect. If I knew of some amazing way of relieving extreme psychological anxiety in children, I’d be shouting it from the rooftops.
You won’t tell us, because you’ve been told not to I’d guess - either you’ve signed a NDA, or been told not to spread the love by whomever you’ve paid your money to. Either way, it just makes it look like you’ve no idea what you’re getting into.

@Soontobe60
No positive outcomes? So you’re telling me that the children who have been through the recovery themselves are liars, and that because you are far to ‘intelligent’ for this that you haha be been able to cure your DD from anxiety yourself, I have just told you what Positives have come out of my 2 week experience, for me it’s not even about the money anymore but this seems to be the absolute reason why you are arguing with me now about my own daughter’s experience and I’m not rising to the immaturity of this thread, you say what you want about me but not about my DD experience, as you’re not saying I’m a liar and my DD experience is fake? I have had an absolute nightmare getting her to want to commit to this but she has and as I have said she has now come down stairs for tea, a small step for some but for her it’s massive. I’m committed to this nowadays getting my DD out of this mess. As I have previously told you ITS NOT AS EASY TO SAY IT IN STEPS or I would have cured her years ago myself but cannot do this, I think the YCFF teams save life’s, and that the children who have been through this themselves are just as valuable as someone with a degree. That is all.

@Soontobe60 ‘ I’m far too intelligent and not at all gullible enough to throw away £5k of money on quackery with absolutely no proven positive outcomes.
Anyone who claims that this ‘programme’ is ‘life saving’ and yet are not willing to share their methods is not worthy of respect. If I knew of some amazing way of relieving extreme psychological anxiety in children, I’d be shouting it from the rooftops.’

In response to this! That is exactly what YCFF do and they are helping, how can you say there is no positive outcomes when it is all over their website/trust pilot/ because then this goes down the route of Trust pilot being liars as well. I have no respect for anyone who knocks something before they try it, and so you’re telling me my daughter who wanted to not be alive anymore who has seen some light at the end of the tunnel is a liar. This has gone to far now.

I’ve worked in education for over 30 years. Never have I heard such emotive drivel as that which she spouts on the videos. One particular video - The Boy and The Letter- enraged me. Sharing confidential details of a child on the internet, accessible to the whole world, is surely going to cause that boy even more anxiety. It’s not her story to share. It’s private and confidential. The first rule of counselling is that of confidentiality.
She then goes on to make a comment about the same child’s father putting money ahead of his child’s mental well-being. So not only has this boy’ mental health difficulties been exposed to the world by her, he’s also being told in a round about way that his father doesn’t give a damn about him because he’s not prepared to pay money out to make him better!
She talks about secret meetings in car parks whereby the mum has brought her child because they won’t go online. That’s just weird and slightly worrying.I couldn’t bring myself to watch any further. This woman is very very dangerous.

I agree with this.

I have no respect for anyone who knocks something before they try it
Isn't this how drug dealers manipulate new clients into getting hooked?

@JungleMum40
Sorry dear, you're not making any sense now.
I’ll ask a simple question that should be very easy to answer.
What have you and your daughter actually done over the past 2 weeks that have enabled her to manage to leave her bedroom and come down for tea?

@ShTheDoor

And MLMs

@Soontobe60 and I have studied mental health for 20 years along with sports therapy, I am shocked as someone working for education has even the slightest bit of empathy for other children then you are completely in the wrong place. If you want an argument why don’t you message me privately. I have explained as per my previous message that this is NOT A SIMPLE THING. I am deeply saddened by this thread and it’s doing me more damage then it should, you’re not going to be apart of my experience and therefore I am not willing to share with you if you’re making it out to be false when I am human and my DD is going through this as I have stated it is a 8 WEEK process how in 2 weeks do you expect me to give you a step by step way of getting someone to reduce their anxiety when she hasn’t had a chance to do it yet. If you want to be ‘intellectually’ involved you would understand children are extremely sensitive, I’m stopping now as you clearly do not listen nor do you care what I have to say, if my DD ever sees this I am incredibly sorry.

Jungle please just give us an overview of what happens in say the first two weeks. Nothing detailed, an overview of what the conversations entail would be fine.

Thanks..Yes your right that's why she is getting away with it she knows the government has no plan to regulate her area of practice. That's why it should be a warning and red flag.

@Psuedoshoes
If I give you my experiences they are going to be picked apart, I have noticed small differences in my DD eg coming downstairs, more interaction, as I am not there on the zooms (trying to give her space) But I do get to see them, I will report back to you when I have been through with all my evidence of why this has been an amazing experience for us so far, please bare with me as this is not an easy nor simple way to put into a thread post, I can write a trust pilot review as well for you all to see my experience.

@GullibleTwo Get away with what exactly? Helping our children when the government are absolutely ruining these children’s lives but not supporting them in schools and given them tablets, it’s wrong. One of my closest friends is a lawyer, as has looked into this thread to.

Please there is No need for such a post we are all grown ups and entitled to either scrutinise or accept these people. If you choose to & are happy that's your choice. For those sceptical there haven't seen the evidence and not convinced with what they have heard or seen in those videos- again they are entitled to their conclusions. If someone knows a parent who has been duped again they have the right to do something about it. People can be desperate but not gullible or naive. Scammers are on the rise and we are entitled to be wary.

@GullibleTwo But these people have proven they are not scammers, it would be heartless for people to be scammers in the first place let alone this, from my own experience and my DD so far it is far far from that, I am yet to see evidence that it is a scam on here, from these post, I asked you what you thought they were getting away with when the government systems Tirelessly stigmatise mental health etc..... we are grown adults here and I think the point I have raised and said are not taken with any respect whatsoever.

My threads are not targeted parents choosing to use this program but the program providers. Not sure why your taking this so personally. I respect your choice to use the programme. It's your choice isn't it if you think it's all working for you and your child. That's plausible. Let's remain respectful of each other's posts please. After all if you have a child struggling with anxiety you would obviously want them to get help. However that doesn't mean people can't question credibility of the program just as one would do if you are paying for something?

I had 60 minutes conversation with one of the ladies and I know exactly what I am on about.

Sometimes children can learn to manage their anxieties by the way parents respond. Anxiety might not completely disappear but children might just learn to manage it better. Yes focus on the children but as parents we need to change too.

@GullibleTwo I would be more respected on here if I agreed with the people that thought it was a scam, you have asked me to respect others views which I have, however going through it myself with my own DD, then people saying it’s a scam etc... what am I supposed to do sit back and stop others from receiving help they need when everyone else has failed, you have to agree that every single person who has said something positive about this company has been picked apart, we are all here because we have children with anxiety, all I ask for is some compassion when explaining my story. Thanks I’m finished now I’m too upset to be commenting further.

@GullibleTwo The whole set up has to change, I am learning this through YCFF. So this is completely come from them. It makes total sense to me when it didn’t before.

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and those of you taking the time to share concerns and discoveries about the company in question.

Someone who works for me asked what I thought of the programme she was considering for her DS who is struggling (not with anxiety as it happens, but another issue) and just from the email she forwarded me I had concerns. I’m very glad I happened to search MN as I can now advise her in the strongest possible terms not to even go ahead with the phone call.

[quote JungleMum40]@GullibleTwo Get away with what exactly? Helping our children when the government are absolutely ruining these children’s lives but not supporting them in schools and given them tablets, it’s wrong. One of my closest friends is a lawyer, as has looked into this thread to.[/quote]
You are not correct with regards as to what’s happening in schools. Yes, it’s been pretty shit over the last 18 months in school - as it has for everyone. In my school we have a learning mentor that targets children who are struggling mentally; we have drop in zoom sessions to support parents; we have access to behaviour support services who come into school weekly; educational psychology services; CAMHS (who do a great job in this area as I’m told by parents who use their services). So we have a wealth of support for both children and their families.
However, the big difference is that the support we access has measurable objectives and outcomes set by professionals using resources that have a scientifically proven track record and, most importantly, don’t cost the parents £5k to access. For example, the Triple P course has given many parents the tools to appropriately manage their child’s behaviours that once were quite toxic. It’s a well established programme led by highly trained staff, not ‘mentors’ that have barely left school.
All I asked was that you give us a brief idea of what strategies you have used in the past 2 weeks in order to get your child to the point where she is able to eat a meal with the family. And yet your responses have totally avoided answering this. I don’t need to know this for my own personal use, but it would be very helpful for other parents on here who may have children like your own child. This is what leads me to assume there’s something dodgy about the whole programme, and it sounds like you’ve been sucked in hook, line and sinker.

How many times are you going to leave the thread then return, Junglemum? Surely you've set a MN record already!

One the one hand, you're complaining you're being criticised for speaking out (you aren't(, but then stating you'll be criticised for giving more insight? This makes the grand total of zero sense... surely you would welcome the opportunity?

@Psuedoshoes

How many times are you going to leave the thread then return, Junglemum? Surely you've set a MN record already!

One the one hand, you're complaining you're being criticised for speaking out (you aren't(, but then stating you'll be criticised for giving more insight? This makes the grand total of zero sense... surely you would welcome the opportunity?

There is something off about their posts to me…

First - JungleMum40 an observation about the grammar and content of your previous posts.

My DH pointed out that these seem to change quite regularly as though multiple (or at least two!) different people are writing them.

Has anyone else noticed this or is it just DH (I admit, I didn’t notice). If this is the case it diminishes (that means ‘reduces’ jungle) the credibility (what we believe) of your posts even more.

Regardless of this, I have some simple questions for you Jungle (who I wonder now is not Sam Robins herself...) or anyone else on here who has used YCFF.

Question 1
In what way is this thread (and any associated actions referred to in it) creating problems for you or others using or accessing the YCFF formula?

Please be explicit (really clear) when you answer this question, for example possible impactful outcomes may be:

• Sam has had to stop offering zoom sessions
• my teens young mentor has been investigated for not having the appropriate qualifications/DRB check to work with children
• Sam has increased prices to cover reduced users and I can’t now afford it

If there is no impact then I’m really confused as to why you’re saying we are stopping people from accessing the formula.

Any potential customers are able to watch the (1) free webinar, book and take a free (2) 1-hour call with Sam, experience the (3) free trial (if it’s available?) and read the (4) trustpilot reviews. They can make up their own mind about the formula just as you did.

Just some notes about those things:

(1) Free webinar: If you haven’t yet requested to join this free webinar and watched this, please do so. It made the hair on the back of my neck stand up!

(2) 1 hour call: this call is to ‘establish if you’re a good fit for the programme’. Ostensibly (apparently) in reality this is to find out demographic and financial information about you e.g. how much money you have/or can get; how desperate you are/what else you’ve tried and failed at to help manage the anxiety; yours and your teens academic achievements; your fears and worries (so these can be preyed on further) etc etc.

(3) Free trial: it seems to me that this is just an extension of the manipulative tactics (as seen from Sam in her published zooms) of the 1-hr call. As this free trial wasn’t available when my friend did it I am unable to comment further and no one has provided any tangible evidence or feedback of its merits to date.

(4) TrustPilot reviews: just a bit of important information which is really relevant here...

From: www.bbc.com/news/technology-56100082
Trustpilot allows the public to score and leave feedback about their experiences with organisations whose services they have used. It makes money by selling services to the same businesses, helping them send review invitations to customers among other features. BBC Watchdog and BBC Radio 5 Live, among others, have highlighted cases of companies cheating Trustpilot's system by either getting genuine negative reviews removed or paying for positive ones.

Note, the following questions are things my friend who used YCFF was not able to ascertain (‘find out’) and these remain outstanding in my own investigative file.

Question 2
How much are you paying for the formula?

There are numerous articles about the ethics and legality of price discrimination but here’s one extract of note:

From: blog.blackcurve.com/why-do-companies-price-discriminate
First-degree price discrimination means exploring/judging what your customers are willing to pay for an item and selling it at that price. Car dealers may exercise first degree price discrimination by looking at how a potential car buyer is dressed. A potential customer who has the latest version of a phone and wears expensive clothes is more likely to be able to pay a premium for a new car – or that's what the dealer will surmise! This strategy can also require a business to profile its customers and offer personalised prices based on previous purchases, particularly online.

My friend ask repeatedly what others were paying (for the same service) and did not get an answer. A service with different fees for different people often has certain characteristics which include exploitation, lack of transparency, privacy issues due to gathering personal financial information etc.

If it’s as amazing as you believe/state/have experienced then the cost will be immaterial to you but may be very important for others to know.

Now some business questions:

Question 3
Who are the insurers to the business?

All practitioners of this nature require insurance. At the very least I believe the Robins need Employers Liability insurance if they employ anyone (companies house list 2 employees in their last return).
You may need to ask Sam direct for this information.

Question 4
Are they registered with the ICO? If so what is their registration number as I’ve been unable to locate it. Once again, you may need to ask Sam for this.

I’ve not asked me therapist friend to report them to ICO yet but it’s on my next action list for her.

That’s it from me for now (I was up at 6.30am to type this...).

I agree with your dh good and fairly early on stopped engaging with a certain poster due to the likelihood of it being, if not the owner, then someone heavily involved. I think most of the posters defending the programme with little substance are probably the same people.

Thought this might be helpful to the non YCFF users. Things we changed in the approximate order they needed to happen:

1. Removal of the main stress factors

• no pushing to go to school or even schoolwork until she was able
• shielding from the stress and drama from her older sister

2) Medication

• medication to aid sleep & antidepressants (private consultant)

3) Changes at home

• regular reassurance as and when needed that she is safe
• staying as patient as possible at all times with her anxieties
• changes to routine to do things at less anxious times, eg moved bedtime forward before evening anxieties hit in
• counselling for myself as I was turning into a wreck

4) Interventions

• leveraging her love of animals in both therapy (animal based) and with social worker (brings dog to walk) and other aspects (seeing friends with pets)

5. Encouragement to push boundaries

• setting up a reward chart (yes I know she's a bit old, but it worked) with points for doing challenging things (schoolwork, going places, etc), reward again being animal based

We are on step 5 right now. Schoolwork has stopped as GCSEs are over, so the challenging things are now all about getting out and about or touching things in the home. The game changer has been the antidepressants as they have enabled her to be strong enough to attempt challenging things.