Well taking the greentext at face value (otherwise what are we even discussing), it did help the kid. It prevented traumatic unscientific "treatment", as well as offering a supportive ear - that's helping the kid

Now let's say the intent was to scam - let's say you were scammed into a self help program, and it gives you the confidence to succeed or helps you heal from past trauma... I'd argue that you weren't scammed, because it worked (even if the intent was predatory)

Psychics come to mind - if people walk out better than they came in, I don't think you've done anything wrong. If they don't, then you're taking advantage of them - to me, outcomes matter more than intent.

I think of them like unlicensed therapists - even if you get a license, if you're causing more harm than help you're acting unethically, even if you've done the paperwork and have good intentions

Outcomes matter more than intent, they're what we have to live with