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APA Psychotherapy Training Videos are intended solely for educational purposes for mental health professionals. Viewers are expected to treat confidential material found herein according to strict professional guidelines. Unauthorized viewing is prohibited.
This is an eclectic approach with interpersonal, family, cognitive–behavioral, and educational strategies. The goals of this therapy approach are to relieve symptoms, to understand the issues and underlying causes, and to develop improved coping and communication skills. Some key strategies in the approach include a focus on
Most teens respond well to this type of therapy, with the exception that adolescents with severe acting out, severe pathology, or very high degree of family conflict may need additional interventions, including medication, family therapy, or intensive outpatient or inpatient placement. It is important to begin with what the adolescent identifies as his or her area of concern, to identify the adolescent's agenda (often different from the parent's or school's agenda), and to form a working alliance. Adolescents must feel understood, heard (although not necessarily agreed with), accepted, and valued. The therapist should pay attention to forming a therapeutic alliance early in the therapy; otherwise the dropout rate is high, and the rate of success is low. Adolescents need to feel like active participants in the therapy, able to "shape" the course of treatment at least to some degree. Once a solid working alliance is established, the therapist can have greater input and make more suggestions and interpretations as needed. Adolescents and families (or schools, when appropriate) should feel that progress is being made toward resolution of symptoms and that the problems are identified at the beginning of treatment. Dr. Zager prefers a flexible approach to working with teens, so that once they feel the problems are resolved, treatment ends—at least temporarily, with the door open to resumption of therapy if and when new problems arise. It is important to make a realistic assessment of progress, so expectations are not set too high or too low. During therapy, Dr. Zager also prefers a flexible approach (which teens respond to very well), in which teens are free to invite their parents, siblings, or even friends to sessions to discuss relevant issues. |
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