Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Treatment

This highly practical resource integrates the powerful dynamics of family into residential treatment and outdoors-based therapy for young people. Recognizing both the family as the systemic base for promoting change in adolescents and the therapeutic potential of the residential/wilderness setting, experts show how aligning the two can enhance the healing value of the program while promoting higher standards for care. Chapters describe innovative, science-based interventions and techniques for treating common behavioral and emotional problems along a continuum of family involvement and separation, to address issues affecting the family as well as the identified patient. With its accessible ideas and compelling case studies, the book ably demonstrates the critical role of family in adolescent patients' successful transition to post-treatment life. 

 Among the topics covered:

• A parallel process: home therapy whi
le the adolescent or young adult is in residential care.
• Intentional separation of families: increasing differentiation through wilderness therapy.
• Emerging family therapy models utilized in residential settings.
• Engaging families in Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare.
• Research on coping skills used by youth with emotional and behavioral disorders.
• Expanding our understanding of the place of family therapy in residential treatment.

Family Therapy with Adolescents in Residential Treatment offers novel, exciting, and effective strategies and techniques for practitioners and mental health professionals particularly interested in family therapy with adolescents, and in related interventions and research.  
 



Jacob D. Christenson, PhD is an assistant professor and clinical director for the marriage and family therapy program at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is an editorial board member for Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy and has published in numerous professional journals, among them the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, the American Journal of Family Therapy, Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, and the Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs. Prior to coming to Mount Mercy University, he was a full-time Field Therapist at Aspen Achievement Academy for four years, where he worked with adolescents exhibiting presenting problems that ranged from academic failure to chemical dependence. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Ashley N. Mer
ritts, PhD is an assistant professor in the marriage and family therapy program at Mount Mercy University. Dr. Merritts has a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies and a Master of Science degree in the same major from Iowa State University. In her Master degree program Dr. Merritts specialized in couple and family therapy and is now a licensed marriage and family therapist. Dr. Merritts has extensive clinical training and has worked with a wide variety of problems in clinical settings. Dr. Merritts is a Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She has also served as a board member for the Iowa Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and was recently asked to be an ad hoc reviewer for Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal.