Treating the Tough Adolescent: A Family-Based, Step-by-Step Guide (The Guilford Family Therapy Series)

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, this is an indispensable clinical guidebook and text.

Scott P. Sells, PhD, is 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 Limits(TM), has been adopted as a standard model in Virginia; Ohio; and Savannah, Georgia.