Developmental-Systemic Family Therapy with Adolescents » (1st Edition)

Learn to choose interventions based on the client's developmental stage!

Teenagers are often a strain on families, and they can pose difficulties even in a family therapy setting. Developmental-Systemic Family Therapy with Adolescents integrates research and theory about adolescent development with different approaches to family therapy. By matching the adolescent client's developmental stage and particular issues with the most effective therapeutic approach, this book enables family therapists to tailor their treatment plan to meet each family's unique needs. Developmental-Systemic Family Therapy with Adolescents contains special chapters on such serious teen problems as suicide and alcohol/substance abuse, as well as thoughtful consideration of such normal issues of development as cognitive stages, identity development, and self-esteem. Interpersonal relationships are also considered, including parenting, peers, and attachment issues. This essential resource offers family therapists suggestions on how to make sessions more relevant to clients who engage in risky sexual behavior, abuse alcohol and drugs, or run away from home.

Each chapter includes detailed, down-to-earth discussions of:

• case examples
• common presenting problems
• assessment and treatment issues
• therapy process dynamics
• suggestions for developmentally appropriate interventions

Developmental-Systemic Family Therapy with Adolescents examines emotional and cognitive development in adolescents to help therapists improve communication and devise effective methods of treatment. Its well-balanced, pragmatic approach to therapy will help you properly assess your clients and offer them the services they need in a form they can accept.

Booknews

Werner-Wilson (marriage and family therapy, Iowa State U.) presents a developmental-systemic therapy approach to the emotional and cognitive development of adolescents. Includes chapters on serious risk-taking among teens involving sexuality, alcohol and substance abuse, and suicide, as well as discussion of developmental issues such as cognitive stages, emotional growth, identity issues, and self-esteem. Interpersonal relationships are also considered, including attachment issues, parenting, and peer relations. Treatment issues covered include the use of self and ways of inviting adolescents to participate in psychotherapy. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Contents

• About the Author
• Contributors
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• Organization of the Material
• Conceptual Approach
• Assessment
• SECTION I: ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT
• Chapter 1. Cognitive Development
• Influence of Cognitive Development on Therapy Process
• Principles of Cognitive Development
• Adolescent Egocentrism
• Summary
• Chapter 2. Emotional Development
• Three Aspects of Emotion
• Developmental Issues
• Emotion in Families
• Emotion in Family Therapy
• Summary
• Chapter 3. Identity Development
• What Is Identity?
• Identity Crises
• Identity Status
• Developmental Aspects of Identity
• Summary
• Chapter 4. Self-Esteem
• What Is Self-Esteem?
• Primary Aspects of Self-Esteem
• Developmental Aspects of Self-Esteem
• Domains of Self-Esteem
• Factors Associated with Self-Esteem
• Presenting Problems Associated with Self-Esteem
• Assessment of Self-Esteem
• Locus of Control
• Summary
• SECTION II: INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
• Chapter 5. Attachment
• What Is Attachment?
• Types of Attachment
• Attachment in Adolescence
• Attachment in Families
• Family Therapy Implications
• Assessment of Attachment in Family Therapy
• Summary
• Chapter 6. Parent-Adolescent Relationship
• Connectedness for Adolescents
• Functions of Families
• Parental Influence
• Parenting Strategies
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Summary
• Chapter 7. Peer Relationships
• Peer Influence
• Friends
• Peer Rejection
• Assessment of Peer Rejection
• Clinical Intervention for Peer Rejection
• Summary
• SECTION III: ADOLESCENT RISK TAKING
• Chapter 8. Sexuality
• Media Influences
• Influence of Individual Psychosocial Factors
• Influence of Dating Dynamics
• Influence of Family Relationships
• Parental Involvement in Sexuality Education
• Summary
• Chapter 9. Alcohol and Substance Abuse
• Trends
• Treatment of Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Conceptual Issues
• Treatment of Alcohol and Substance Abuse: Structural Family Therapy
• Summary
• Chapter 10. Suicide
• Research on Suicide and Adolescence
• Risk Factors
• Conceptualization of Suicide in Family Therapy
• Therapeutic Process
• Summary
• SECTION IV: TREATMENT ISSUES
• Chapter 11. Use of Self
• The Natural Self
• The Fight for Control
• The Differentiated Therapist
• The Use of Self and Stages of Therapy
• Summary
• Chapter 12. Some Considerations on Inviting the Participation of Adolescents in Psychotherapy
• From the Outside Looking In
• Research in Support of Increased Adolescent Involvement in the Family Process
• Accountability
• Evaluating Our Preferred Models of Psychotherapy for Personal Agency and Cognitive Development
• Summary
• Conclusion
• Concluding Example
• Summary
• Notes
• References
• Index
• Reference Notes Included