Is this a good idea?

Elizabeth Smart appeared on Oprah yesterday and appeared on the outside as being surprisingly well-adjusted. But when the kidnapped teen returned home years ago after being abducted for nine months, she didn't want therapy--and her parents let her have her way. We asked an expert for her opinion.

We asked momlogic contributor and parent educator Jill Spivack, LCSW for her take:

"Elizabeth's mother encouraged her to avoid allowing herself to suffer any more trauma after her rescue by avoiding focusing too much on the pain because she claims Elizabeth gave her kidnappers 'enough of her time' and should move on with her life. Elizabeth may fear confronting her feelings and allowing them to be there because she may sense it's too overwhelming for her parents (as well as for herself).

"The goal of any responsible trauma therapy would be to gently guide a person--one step at a time--to fully acknowledge the impact of the trauma and to learn to cope with their present reality, post-trauma. Competent therapy can provide significant relief to trauma victims."

Jill Spivack gives us 5 reasons why it's dangerous not to go to therapy after something traumatic happens.