Intervention with Adolescents

Adolescents face significant risks in today's society and it is estimated that one in five adolescents suffers from a current developmental, emotional, or behavioral problem. This chapter reviews current problems facing adolescents and examines prevention and intervention programs designed to improve adolescent mental health and well-being. Developmental considerations when conducting assessments with adolescents is presented as well as prevalence rates for selected behavior problems and disorders. Promising models of prevention and intervention are identified and described, including programs that focus on substance abuse prevention, pregnancy, STD, and HIV prevention, adolescent depression, and conduct disorder. Treatment strategies reviewed include multisystemic therapy, functional family therapy, and problem-solving and social skills training. Lastly, additional issues involved in ongoing treatment and case management, service delivery, and commonly used treatment manuals are discussed. Keywords: adolescent treatment; adolescent therapy; evidence-based treatment with adolescents; mental health and adolescents; service delivery with adolescents