Contextual Residential Treatment

This book is written for all mental health clinicians, allied professionals, line staff, social workers, and students whose focus is on the adolescent in residential treatment and the problems facing the aging-out young adult and his transition to independence. Readers will find that the book elucidates upon the fundamentals of assessment, clinical descriptions of theoretical constructs, and the application of technique. All of these domains are regarded as areas of interest and...
More Description

This book is written for all mental health clinicians, allied professionals, line staff, social workers, and students whose focus is on the adolescent in residential treatment and the problems facing the aging-out young adult and his transition to independence. Readers will find that the book elucidates upon the fundamentals of assessment, clinical descriptions of theoretical constructs, and the application of technique. All of these domains are regarded as areas of interest and concern for front line staff during their supervision and monitoring of adolescents. This book also addresses the role of the social worker during interventions with families and while conducting group work, and reviews guidelines for treatment staff that will enable them to assess a youth's overall development, self-esteem, and sense of self.Assessments of youngsters include a description of developmental maturation, the level of stability or self-control, and the type of support or structure needed to enhance the youth's life. There is also a comprehensive overview of contextual practice, which details an explicit theoretical basis for understanding the process that brings about change. Of importance for residential staff is to be aware of the effect that expectations within the environment and communication patterns have on youngsters. In this regard the reader will be shown how to approach the youth on his level of understanding and relating, and to recognize which youngsters have learned to survive by not talking. Finally, there is information on how to connect with withdrawn youth, to encourage them to be more open in relationships as well as to deal with their feelings. It will also be of interest to researchers, practitioners, educators, and policymakers who seek to refine their skills and knowledge of residential treatment and to learn specifically about contextual practice.