Brief Psychotherapy with Adolescents: Individual and Family Approaches

In this paper the author describes key principles informing brief psychotherapy with adolescents. Both individual and family approaches are considered. Key principles of brief psychotherapy include (1) establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship, (2) find a focus for the treatment, and (3) set modest, achievable treatment goals. Adherence to these principles will result in a brief therapy by design rather than by default. Case material is used to illustrate treatment principles. Patient selection criteria and the efficacy of brief psychotherapy are also reviewed.