title: Therapeutic assessment with an adolescent: choosing connections over substances.
abstract: This case study provides an in-depth example of a comprehensive therapeutic assessment with an adolescent (TA-A) and his parents. The TA-A addressed parental concerns about their son's drug experimentation as well as the adolescent's own private questions about his distinctiveness from others, all set against a backdrop of ongoing parental conflict and poor communication. The TA-A process and how it is specifically tailored to balance the needs of adolescents and their parents is discussed. Subsequently, each step of TA-A is illustrated through the case study. Research findings at the conclusion of the assessment and at follow-up indicated significant decreases in internalizing symptomology and school problems, increases in self-esteem and self-reliance, and improved family functioning as reported by the adolescent. At follow-up, the father spoke of developing a more assertive parenting approach and successful follow-through on recommendations. This case study provides a template for clinicians interested in conducting TA-A.
authors.affiliation: Therapeutic Assessment Project, Department of Educational Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 78712-1294, USA. cynthia.austin@utexas.edu
authors.forename: Cynthia A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.forename: Lauren S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Krumholz
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Tharinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001242:Assertiveness; D004493:Education; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007207:Individuation; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012649:Self Concept; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014477:Underachievement