Identity Formation In At Risk Adolescents: A Case Study of Mount Bachelor Academy
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Authors
Fink, Sarah Wiseman
Issue Date
1999
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of therapeutic alliance in a boarding school for
"at risk" adolescents. Therapeutic alliance is defined as three qualities of the relationship
between therapist and client: agreement between therapist and client on goals of
treatment agreement on how to achieve these goals and the personal bond between the
therapist and client. The paper discusses the use of Eriksonian therapy and its relation to
the strength of the therapeutic alliance as well as other techniques that influence the
development of healthy adolescent identity formation. Past research suggests specific
factors such as: individualized attention, early interventions, engagen1ent of peers and
parents, and connection to the outside world impact the effectiveness of programs
designed to help adolescents in schools. A survey that included the Client Attachment to
Therapist Scale (CATS) was completed by two thirds of the students at the boarding
school. In addition, observations and interviews were used to analyze these relationships
between counselors and students. Results of the study indicate that the strength of the
therapeutic alliance is one of the stronger components in the success of this program and
thus could be helpful if implemented in other programs targeting the "at risk"
adolescents.
Description
89 p.
Citation
Publisher
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.