Helping Your Teenager Beat Depression: A Problem-Solving Approach for Families

The adolescent years can sometimes be trying, but are especially difficult for parents of a teenager with depression. Depression is a real and serious condition that can derail lives and put a child at risk. HELPING YOUR TEENAGER BEAT DEPRESSION offers parents a strategy that enables them to become active partners in the treatment of their child’s depression.

Chapters begin with an overview of teenage mood problems followed by an explanation of the authors’ unique treatment approach, known by the acronym, LEEAPP (LEAP for short). Based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)–a recognized and successful problem-solving strategy for changing distorted behaviors and thoughts–LEAP offers parents a plan to change a troublesome situation or negative pattern of interaction with their teen. Parents first identify what behavior (e.g. refusing to get out of bed) or attitude (e.g. unprovoked anger) they want to change, then create a LEAP plan to:

LABEL their own thoughts and emotions related to their teen’s behavior

EMPATHIZE with their teen’s perspective

EXPLORE ways to respond to this perspective

APPLY an alternative way to respond

PICK a follow-up time to evaluate the result

PLAN ahead for the next step

The LEAP approach can be used by parents to address minor mood problems and reduce the risk of relapse, and in conjunction with professional therapy for more serious depressive disorders. The commitment is minimal-–perhaps 10-20 minutes per week-–and the benefits can be substantial. Most families begin to see improvement in their child’s mood and interactions after employing the LEAP approach for 6 weeks.

Case studies throughout the book present a variety of situations and illustrate how to use this method to tackle mood problems. Exercises and checklists help parents monitor progress and be effective in improving their teen’s outlook.

Katharina Manassis has graduate degrees in medicine and psychiatry. She works at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario, where she founded and continues to lead the Anxiety Disorders Program. In addition, she is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, a researcher of childhood anxiety disorders, and author of professional papers, plus a book, KEYS TO PARENTING YOUR ANXIOUS CHILD (Barrons Educational Series, 1996). Dr. Manassis lives with her family in Pickering, Ontario.

Anne Marie Levac is an Advanced Practice Nurse in the Child, Youth and Family Program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Ontario. She holds a Masters in Nursing from the University of Calgary where she specialized in family systems nursing. She is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Nursing and the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. She specializes in child, marriage, and family therapy for children and families experiencing psychosocial problems.