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Assimilative Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

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Encyclopedia of Adolescence

Introduction

Psychotherapy for adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders is complicated. Adolescents in need of therapy are often not motivated to participate in therapy and frequently struggle with issues of dependence, authority, control, and trust. These and other complications impact the formation of a therapeutic alliance between the therapist and the adolescent, which is the best predictor of psychotherapy outcome. This essay identifies some of the challenges of providing effective psychotherapy for adolescents with psychological difficulties. It is proposed that adolescents benefit from an integrative psychotherapy that is flexible, effective, and attuned to the relationship. Assimilative psychodynamic psychotherapy, developed by Stricker and Gold (1996) and adapted for use with adolescents by Grehan and Freeman (2009), is put forward as well suited for work with this population.

Assimilative psychodynamic psychotherapy is an integrative approach comprised of a...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, Adelphi University, 1 South Ave, Blodgett Hall 212D, Garden City, NY, 11530 0701, USA

    Patrick M. Grehan

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  1. Patrick M. Grehan
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Correspondence to Patrick M. Grehan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University, 302 Sycamore Hall, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Roger J. R. Levesque

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Grehan, P.M. (2011). Assimilative Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. In: Levesque, R.J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Adolescence. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1695-2_362

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1695-2_362

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1694-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1695-2

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