The adolescent in family therapy : breaking the cycle of conflict and control / Joseph A. Micucci.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Micucci, Joseph A.

Series:

Guilford family therapy series

The Guilford family therapy series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Adolescent psychotherapy.

Family psychotherapy.

Families--Psychological aspects.

Families.

Parent and teenager.

Physical Description:

xi, 336 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Guildford Press, [1998]

Summary:

Much of the writing on therapy with adolescents suggests contradictory approaches. On the one hand, therapists are advised to encourage the teenager's individuality and separation; on the other, they are urged to help parents "pull in the reins" and reestablish a strong sense of authority. This book proposes that what is missing from both of these formulations is a focus on strengthening the quality of family relationships and ensuring that adolescents receive the ongoing parental nurturance they need. Presenting a developmentally grounded approach to treating a wide range of adolescent problems, Joseph Micucci shows how troubled teenagers and their parents can be helped to use family relationships as catalysts for growth and change. Filled with realistic case examples, step-by-step discussions of the process of assessment and therapy, and straightforward clinical advice, the book describes specific family intervention strategies for eating disorders, depression, defiant behavior, underachievement, stress caused by psychotic symptoms, and other frequently encountered conditions. Attention is also given to working with schools and the special challenges of treating multiproblem, low-income families.

Contents:

The Importance of Relationships 3

The ARCH 4

Staying the Course 6

Chapter 2. The Process of Therapy: Principles and Pitfalls 16

Four Basic Concepts 17

Identifying the Symptomatic Cycle 24

Contracting and Goal Setting 28

Disrupting the Symptomatic Cycle 31

Ending Therapy: Beyond the Symptomatic Cycle 48

What Comes Next 51

Chapter 3. Adolescent Development 53

Developmental Issues of Adolescence: An Overview 55

Early Adolescence 58

Middle Adolescence 66

Late Adolescence 82

Chapter 4. Eating Disorders 93

Perspectives on Eating Disorders 95

Principles of Treatment 99

Step 1 Negotiating the Contract 106

Step 2 Encouraging Parental Collaboration 110

Step 3 Addressing Unresolved Conflicts 112

Step 4 Handling Relapses 118

Step 5 Supporting Individual Development 122

Step 6 Supporting the Transformation 126

Pitfalls and Complications 128

Chapter 5. Depression and Suicide 135

The Role of Gender in Adolescent Depression 136

Family Dynamics and Adolescent Depression 141

Treating Adolescent Depression 143

Pitfalls and Complications 148

Case Example: The Crying Father 153

Chapter 6. Violence, Delinquency, and Other Problem Behaviors 166

How Common Is Problem Behavior during Adolescence? 169

Gender Issues in Adolescent Problem Behavior 170

Developmental Perspectives 171

The Role of the Peer Group 171

The Importance of Relationships 173

Assessing the Severity of Problem Behavior 174

Interventions for Mild Problem Behavior 176

Interventions for Moderately Severe Problem Behavior 177

Interventions for Severe Problem Behavior 183

Pitfalls, Cautions, and Other Considerations 195

Chapter 7. Psychosis 202

Theoretical Perspectives 203

Treating Psychotic Adolescents: Challenges to the Therapist 206

Case Example: Reducing Isolation in Psychotic Systems 211

Chapter 8. Underachievement and Other School-Related Problems 229

Factors Contributing to Adolescent Underachievement 231

Strategies for Intervention 244

Pitfalls and Complications in Treating School-Related Problems 257

Chapter 9. Problems of "Leaving Home" 263

Perspectives on Leaving Home 266

How to Assess and Intervene 269

Summary: Four Principles 275

Chapter 10. Multiproblem Families 277

The Role of Social Agencies in the Lives of Multiproblem Families 281

Responding to Crises and Remaining Differentiated 286

Setting and Prioritizing Goals 287

Setting a Structure for Therapy 290

Values, Control, and Power 292

Case Example: Two Tokens 295

Epilogue: The ARCH 300.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-323) and index.

ISBN:

1572303891

OCLC:

39625088