Adolescent Interaction Goals
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PsydocAdolescent Interaction Goals
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Psydoc- Difficult Teens Management: This section covers strategies for managing teenagers who are resistant to therapy, providing options, insights, and motivational tips.
Dorsey & Feldman, 2010; University of Washington
DIFFICULT TEENS!
Who don’t want to be here…..at ALL.
Options:
Rewards/Incentives Insight
What is this teen interested in? Conceptualize TF-CBT as fit for
Any way to tie components to interests? distress/symptoms
Can the caregiver give rewards after What are other outcomes, that TF-CBT
session (go to ice cream, more phone participation is related to, that he/she
time) might be interested in (get foster
Rewards for participating in session? parent “off their back”, stabilize for a
Candy, iPod/Pandora time, end placement change)?
session early, game on phone, Tie components to current, real-life
computer game stressors (visits, boyfriend problems)
Creativity Caregiver Involvement
Videos (you tube, other), books What is the youth’s relationship with
Pop Culture their caregiver?
More reading and writing than talking? Any way to use the caregiver in to
Will typing engage the youth? engage the young person?
Fostering Hope has flip cameras we can Have them in the room, come into the
loan out, if you want to try them room for part of the session?
Create materials for a sibling/niece,
advice giving?
Parent-related Issues Youth who say they don’t
Does the youth want to be back with need treatment
his/her parents? Prove it to you: 1 session
Is there a parent who can be engaged, psychoeducation, 2 sessions of Trauma
even if in a limited way? Narrative (tell details, thoughts, and
o What is the reunification plan? feelings for 2-4 events), 1 session of
looking at thoughts—focused work
(cognitive restructuring)
Remember:
Motivational Interviewing techniques are often your best shot, spending some time getting
buy in is A OK (otherwise, you’re struggling for power and convincing, which we know doesn’t
work and doesn’t feel good).
Some adolescents simply do not want to be in treatment, and even if you use all your best
skills and some of these….it may not work
Try your best, but for some, right now may not be the best time, we can’t force them, and we
want them to (ideally) leave thinking that therapy can be helpful
