Aspects of Turmoil and Self-Containment in the Adolescent Psychotherapy Patient

Abstract

In many respects, adolescent patient embodies very model of the self-contained patient. The adolescent's developmental propensity toward secrecy, narcissism, and rebellious competitive transferences all require of practitoner adjustments in psychotherapeutic technique. In order to properly assess normative dimensions of resistance in adolescent patients, controversial literature on adolescent turmoil is reviewed. Modifications in technique designed to deal with self-containment issue are discussed relative to three developmental substages of adolescence and challenges each presents to therapist.