Treatment Modalities (From Treating Abused Adolescents, P 187-202, 1996, Eliana Gil -- See NCJ-166278)

• NCJ Number: 166285
• Author(s): E Gil
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Guilford Publications, Inc.
• Publication Type: Training (Aid/Material)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter reviews the various types of treatment modalities that can be useful in treating abused adolescents.

Abstract

A number of treatment modalities can be useful in working with abused adolescents. Friedrich (1995b) provides a thoughtful evaluation of how different treatment modalities address specific issues that relate to attachment, dysregulation, and the self. Because of abused adolescents' inherent problems, therapy may be a difficult process for them. Efforts must be made to make the therapy user-friendly, decrease both its apparent and its actual risks, and encourage youth to trust the therapeutic process itself. A combination of individual, group, and family work may be necessary to address issues of victimization, family support, and reunification. In addition, for adolescents with troubled interpersonal interactions, pair therapy may yield beneficial results. Individual treatment is useful for establishing therapy in a low-risk environment; modeling healthy relational interactions; helping clients perceive their therapists as trustworthy; addressing issues of identity and esteem in a context free from the stress of peers; and broaching sensitive, private matters. Group therapy is a good means of obtaining a fuller view of an adolescent's functioning. Groups also allow abused adolescents opportunities to tell their stories, to accept feedback from others, to identify with both the problems and solutions of others, and to feel emotionally connected or affiliated to others. Family therapy can be useful in an abusive situation; however, in work with an abusive family, it may be more effective to meet with family members separately, slowly rebuilding the family interactions piece by piece. Pair therapy facilitates client interaction with another person with similar problems without having some of the intimidating factors present in group therapy. A transcript of a therapy session is included to illustrate some of the treatment modalities discussed.