This book illuminates the causes of severe adolescent behavioral problems and presents a research-based, 15-step model for helping families bring about meaningful change. Incorporating structural and strategic principles, the author's cohesive approach focuses on setting clear rules and consequences; changing the mood and direction of confrontations; neutralizing such problem behaviors as disrespect, truancy, running away, violence, and threats of suicide; and restoring positive, nurturing family relationships. Special treatment issues covered include adolescent substance abuse and managing problems that arise in single-parent and divorced families, as well as ways to collaborate effectively with outside systems. Featuring a wealth of illustrative case examples and reproducible materials, this is an indispensable clinical guidebook and text. --- from the publisher Contents: I. A Family-Based Model for Difficult Adolescents 1. Introduction 2. Point of Entry: Why Difficult Teenagers Have Problems 3. A Model for Change II. Specific Principles and Guidelines 4. Setting Clear Rules and Consequences: The Basic Work of Therapy 5. Changing the Timing and Process of Confrontations 6. Neutralizing the Adolescent's "Five Aces" 7. Restoring Nurturance and Tenderness III. Special Treatment Issues and Circumstances 8. Working with Outsiders 9. Single-Parent Families: Sharing Parental Responsibility 10. Divorce and Stepfamily Problems 11. Alcohol and Drug Use: "I Don't Have a Problem" IV. Research Findings and Future Implications 12. Process-Outcome Research and the Family-Based Model: Refining and Operationalizing Key Theoretical Concepts About the Author: Scott P. Sells, PhD, is currently Professor of Social Work at Savannah State University and Clinical Director of the Savannah Family Institute. He has treated more than 800 difficult children and adolescents, has spoken nationally on this topic, and has published a number of related journal articles. His 6-week educational program for parents of difficult children and teenagers, Parenting With Love and LimitsTM, has been adopted as a standard model in Virginia; Ohio; and Savannah, Georgia. |