Abstract
Introduction: Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) is a family-based treatment for adolescents with substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioural problems that has been widely shown to be highly effective.Aim: This article extends the empirical knowledge and experience of how change occurs in MDFT.Method: First, we introduce components of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for integration into clinical work with the adolescent and parents. We then we explore the negative emotional interactional impasse in the adolescent/parent relationship. We present a sequential deconstruction of anger and its transformation into a more adaptive emotion, based on clinical cases. Results: Three steps are described: 1) individual preparation to reconnect with adaptive emotions (adolescent and parents), 2) enactment in the dyadic adolescent-parent emotional and relational reconnection, 3) emotional transformation in the dyadic relationship.Conclusion: EFT components enhance and deepen the emotional work in the dyadic adolescent/parent relationship. It opens the way to other clinical horizons of EFT-MDFT integration.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call