My HORRIFIC Experience with Lori Long of Lori Long Counseling Services, LLC. Stow, Ohio
"The Silence of Advocacy"
My exchanges with Lori Long, the court-appointed therapist for my sons, illustrate a heartbreaking series of failures that violated not only my rights but, most importantly, the rights of my children. Each interaction added layers to the emotional and psychological toll already inflicted on us by the family court system. What follows is an account of these exchanges, detailing the violations, the frustrations, and the consequences of her inaction.
The Communication Gap
October 3, 2022: I began with hope, sending Lori a video link and expressing gratitude in subsequent emails. These exchanges were my attempts to engage her, to establish a collaborative relationship. But her responses—or lack thereof—set the tone for what would become an ongoing struggle for acknowledgment and action.
By November 11, 2022, my concerns grew dire. I raised the issue of my children’s deteriorating health—their alarming number of cavities and new behavioral issues. I meticulously connected these symptoms to the chronic stress they were enduring due to their father’s abusive behavior. I cited scientific research linking adverse childhood experiences to health issues, providing comprehensive sources to substantiate my claims. Lori's response? Silence.
November 20, 2022: When I discovered Zachary was experiencing frequent accidents at school, I reached out to Lori for insight and collaboration. She responded dismissively, stating that she wasn’t Zachary’s parent and wasn’t notified of these incidents. Her refusal to address these concerns and share meaningful updates about my sons highlighted a fundamental breach of duty—a failure to act in my children’s best interests or even provide basic transparency.
A Mother’s Rights Denied
As weeks turned into months, the dismissals continued. In June 2023, Lori Long sent me a "Children’s Bill of Rights," yet she failed to uphold these rights for my sons. Specifically, their right to communicate with me—a right that had been systematically stripped away. My attempts to address this were met with indifference. When I pointed out that I had no phone contact with my children for over a year, she offered to “check into it” but provided no follow-up. This failure to advocate for my children’s basic rights constituted a profound betrayal of her role as a professional entrusted with their well-being.
Her email on July 21, 2023, encapsulated the pervasive dismissiveness: “Unfortunately, I have nothing to do with custody or legal issues.” This refusal to intervene—or even acknowledge—the parental alienation my children were experiencing underscored her abdication of responsibility.
Complicity Through Inaction
Lori’s negligence extended beyond silence; her actions actively contributed to the alienation. In October 2023, she relayed unverified allegations from their father, about supposed instructions I gave to Zachary not to speak to him. These statements, presented as fact, perpetuated false narratives designed to paint me as an unfit parent. At no point did Lori verify these claims with me or even with my children. This unprofessional behavior not only violated my rights as a parent but further harmed my sons by reinforcing falsehoods.
On October 22, 2024, I reiterated how restricted access to their primary caregiver (me) and witnessing mistreatment by their father were profoundly impacting my sons’ mental health. Yet Lori failed to address these concerns or advocate for their emotional safety. Her lack of action perpetuated their trauma and deepened their alienation from me.
Violations of Ethical and Professional Standards
Lori Long’s conduct was rife with ethical violations:
Failure to Protect My Children: Despite being informed of their father’s documented abuse and mental instability, Lori took no steps to ensure my sons’ safety or advocate for their well-being.
Breach of Communication: As a therapist, she had a duty to keep me informed about significant developments affecting my children. Her refusal to provide updates directly contravened this obligation.
Bias and Lack of Neutrality: By uncritically accepting and perpetuating their father’s narratives, Lori displayed a clear bias. This compromised her role as a neutral party and further alienated my children.
Violation of the Children’s Bill of Rights: My sons were entitled to a relationship with both parents, yet Lori’s inaction facilitated the continued erosion of their connection with me.
The Cost of Negligence
The consequences of Lori’s actions—and inactions—have been devastating. My children have suffered emotionally, psychologically, and even physically under their father’s care. Behavioral issues, anxiety, and a loss of trust have become hallmarks of their childhood. Meanwhile, I have been forced to fight relentlessly, not only against an unjust legal system but against the very professionals who were supposed to protect my sons.
This chapter is not just a recounting of Lori Long’s failures; it is a testament to the resilience required of every parent who must navigate a system stacked against them. It is a call to hold accountable those entrusted with our children’s futures—to demand better for them and for the families they serve.
For my sons, and for every child whose voice has been ignored, as well as the countless parents being stripped of their rights, I will continue to fight.
- Carey Ann George
