In the approaches for treating troubled teens, psychotherapy may be considered very important. But psychotherapy does not just comprise of one method, there are different variations of therapy that may be applied to help your teenager. Some therapies center on shifting patterns of thought or behaviors, while others center on discovering the relation of present behaviors to past experiences. Even the family unit itself may be the focal point of therapy. They may suit the method applied to your individual child. Painting, sculpting, dancing and music may also be integrated in therapy.
Medication can also simultaneously be used alongside psychotherapy in the treatment of your child. As diverse as the field may seem, five major approaches can be distinguished:- Psychodynamic Therapy- This is founded on the concept that unresolved conflicts which may be troubling the unconscious of your teen are at the core of their emotional issues. In order to provide a solution for these emotional issues under psychodynamic therapy, these unresolved conflicts are pushed forward for direct confrontation.
- Behavioral Therapy- The focus of this approach is in changing the readily apparent behaviors of your child. The main concept of this therapy is that emotional issues may be unlearned, as they are believed to be learned responses.
- Cognitive Therapy- This approach is frequently used in conjunction with behavioral therapy. It stresses how patterns of thought may have an effect on a child’s behavior. The underlying concept here is that negative, emotional issues may cause self-destructive behavior in a child. Therefore, by altering one’s perception, one may alter his/her own feelings and behavior. The destructive behavior brought out by a child’s emotional issues is settled through replacement of negative patterns with more positive ones.
- Family Therapy- This approach works on the idea that each family unit has its own way of life (set limits, rules, ideals, values, etc.) which has defined bearing on your child’s behavior. Because of this idea, the entire family is engaged in the approach and not only the troubled teen himself. The point of this approach is not to change the sole behavior of your child but to modify the communication and interaction within the family.
- Supportive Therapy- In this approach, concentration is set on offering support for your teen rather than centering on changing him. In this manner, a teenager’s self-esteem will be heightened through emphasis of one’s strengths and strategies in coping. This therapy is often used to alleviate depression.
Each of these approaches has its own particular strong points. It may be up to the psychotherapist after assessment of your teenager’s situation to combine or choose a particular approach above another to address your son/daughter’s defiant behavior. |
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