Group Psychotherapy for Adolescents Comorbid for Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Problems: A Relational Constructionist Approach

Abstract

The group psychotherapy of adolescents comorbid for psychiatric and substance abuse problems is fraught with inconsistent attendance, frequent verbal and physical disruptions by the adolescents, and intense countertransference toward patients and their parents on the part of treating staff. A relational constructionist approach assists staff and patients in overcoming these obstacles and in focusing on the adolescents’ search for personal meaning. Multiple group psychotherapy conducted in a combined day treatment and high school program is described and illustrated by case examples during the course of a year of treatment. These examples illustrate the importance of a relational non-hierarchical approach to adolescent patients by treating staff.