Evidenced-Based Therapeutic Interventions Open to the Client
Adolescence is often a critical stage of development as certain conditions and behaviors may arise that impact health. These conditions can also result in adulthood disorders. Many adolescents engage in unhealthy behaviors such as substance abuse, drinking as well as smoking. As such, they are at an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. This, thus, raises a significant public health issue. Numerous mental health problems surface during adolescence; these disorders may negatively impact the life of the adolescent if proper mental health care is not sought. Poor mental health may lead to HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, physical fights, suicide, crime, and contracting various sexually transmitted infections. Due to the burden and negative impacts of mental health conditions in adolescents, identifying and implementing effective interventions is vital. In this regard, evidenced-based therapeutic interventions have been applied to help high-risk adolescents live fulfilling lives. Effective interventions, in general, promote enhanced strategies for coping. In addition to strengthening coping strategies, they encourage adaptive behavior as well as alleviate suffering. They further enhance stress and minimize the possibility of long-term issues of mental health.
When it comes to the treatment of the high-risk adolescent client, using the following evidenced-based therapeutic interventions will be helpful: Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and Multisystemic Therapy (MST). According to McCart & Sheidow (2016) , functional family therapy is a type of treatment that focuses on the family of the adolescent and helps treat antisocial behavior. In this therapy, the behavioral issues of an adolescent stem from dysfunctional family relationships. As such, the treatment takes a great relational focus. Henceforth, interventions attempt to create and maintain new family behavior patterns that are functional. This intervention involves three intervention phases. First, there is motivation and engagement which includes establishing positive expectations. Second, there is a change in behavior, including creating new family interaction patterns McCart & Sheidow (2016) . Third, there is generalization which consists of planning for any issues in the future and seeking community support services. As a counselor using this approach, I would closely work with the adolescent’s family. My main aim will be to raise family motivation to change by breaking adverse attributions they may possess concerning themselves as well as other members of the family. Then, I would help the family develop more adaptive and positive views. I will work with the family to eradicate the problem behaviors and help the family establish new relationship patterns that are not dysfunctional. Also, I would employ behavioral and cognitive behavioral interventions to train the adolescent on communication, anger management, as well as reframing.
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Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is based on the social-ecological framework. This framework claims that the behaviors of people are affected by the systems in which they are placed (Zajac, Randall & Swenson, 2015) . Youths are generally, seen as embedded in their school, peer, family, as well as community systems. Additionally, this type of therapy stipulates that there is reciprocity in the impacts within these youth systems. MST essentially delivers services where issues take place, that is, neighborhoods, schools, and homes. Also, because there is interaction with families in their communities and homes, the therapist can build a rapport with the family. Also, family and adolescent behaviors can be observed in real world settings (Zajac, Randall & Swenson, 2015) . In employing this treatment, I would first collect information concerning the standard behavior and desired results from the high-risk teenager, family, as well as other stakeholders such as probation officers and teachers. This information will help me recognize the factors in the adolescent’s systems that maintain disruptive behaviors and which will prevent or minimize them. Then, I will work with the family to prioritize the factors that make the teenager engage in disruptive behavior and establish effective interventions to target each factor. During the treatment process, I will closely monitor the implementation of the interventions and solve any issues that may occur. Lastly, I will collect information from stakeholders and the family about the usefulness of the intervention.
Generally, both FFT and MST are effective therapeutic interventions that may help the client. Nonetheless, I would recommend MST because it targets not only the family but also the school environment, peers, and the community as a whole. Thus, a better outcome may be realized.
Benefits and Drawbacks of the Therapeutic Interventions
The FFT intervention is useful as it enables successful intervention in multidimensional and complex issues via a flexible structured clinical practice. Also, this treatment is culturally sensitive and is accountable to adolescents, their families, as well as the community, in general. Despite these advantages, it has one significant drawback. That is, it is very costly to implement. MST, on the other hand, is beneficial as it recognizes the effects of peers on adolescent behavior. Secondly, because it targets parents and caregivers, MST is a productive way of enhancing engagement and families do not feel blamed or judged. However, intervention is restricted to only three to five months even if the family has not expertly met desired outcomes.
Generally, there is a strong possibility that my client will be reluctant to receive assistance. The client may hold back during the first therapy sessions. However, by making the client comfortable and acknowledging their perspective, the client will start opening up more. Also, building a rapport with the client convince him to try therapy.
Conclusion
Adolescence is a crucial developmental stage and, as such, it is imperative for the youth to receive proper guidance. Many mental health issues arise during adolescence. These problems may adversely impact an adolescent’s quality of life. Therefore, using evidenced-based therapeutic interventions such as functional family therapy and multisystemic therapy are useful in solving adolescent issues.
References
McCart, M., & Sheidow, A. (2016). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for adolescents with disruptive behavior. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology , 45 (5), 529-563. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2016.1146990
Zajac, K., Randall, J., & Swenson, C. (2015). Multisystemic therapy for externalizing youth. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America , 24 (3), 601-616. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.007
