Adolescent Configuration Styles, Parenting and Psychotherapy: A Relational Perspective

Mental health has become the principal concern as adolescents struggle with a host of issues such as anxiety, academic pressures, gender, substances, social media, complicated family compositions and a vulnerable planet. This book provides psychotherapists with a clear theoretical understanding and practical application for navigating the increasingly complex adolescent experience as young people adjust and respond to the present- day world.

Starrs presents a contemporary understanding of adolescence, identifying three principal character styles and offering experience- near descriptions of the modernday adolescent. The author demonstrates how each configuration style in adolescence elicits a predictable response in parents and examines the challenges and dilemmas facing parents in today’s world, highlighting the patterns and pitfalls which often render parental interventions ineffective. Developmentally attuned parenting strategies are outlined, pertaining to each configuration style. The in depth analysis of adolescent process and parental response has implications for the therapeutic encounter. Intervention focuses both on one- to- one work with the adolescent and parental involvement. The complexity of working with adolescents and parents who demonstrate psychological entrenchment is also outlined.

This highly readable, original and exceptional contribution is suitable for psychotherapists, allied professionals and parents alike.

Bronagh Starrs is creator and programme director of the MSc Adolescent Psychotherapy programme at the Dublin Counselling & Therapy Centre (Dublin) in partnership with University of Northampton. She maintains a private practice in Omagh, Northern Ireland and is the author of Adolescent Psychotherapy: A Radical Relational Approach (2019).