Exclusion Is Abuse: Clinic for Difficult Teenagers
Coenen, Roland
Exclusion Is Abuse: Clinic for Difficult Teenagers - 2001.
12
This article attempts to demonstrate that the exclusion of a teenager from a foster care or a treatment institution is tantamount to abuse. In the same way, the author argues that the theoretical position of non-exclusion is an intelligent therapeutic tool. Who are difficult adolescents? Mainly noncompliant adolescents, demanding teenagers from undemanding families. The lack of understanding of the specific undemanding mechanism is at the basis of educational or therapeutic failures. The author introduces the new concept of “closure syndrome” to describe a psychic state where mental processes which are to sustain a spontaneous demand have not yet matured. In fact, a real demand can only occur in the exchange relationship model, which is also called reciprocal relationship. But to enter into a reciprocal relationship, mental structures are needed: self-esteem and confidence in others are an absolute pre-requisite. If someone does not think that they could be loved, if they are doubtful that others can love generously, he/she cannot commit to an exchange relationship, and, of course, a helping relationship. In this way, the non-exclusion theoretical position offers the first step to create a helping relationship: security. Given this essential basis, the closure syndrome therapy consists firstly in establishing an alliance with the adolescent, and integrating a satisfying self-image, and secondly in establishing a positive alliance with the struggling parent in order to help them achieve emotional parental maturity; in turn, this can lead to the achievement of the child’s educational program.
Exclusion Is Abuse: Clinic for Difficult Teenagers - 2001.
12
This article attempts to demonstrate that the exclusion of a teenager from a foster care or a treatment institution is tantamount to abuse. In the same way, the author argues that the theoretical position of non-exclusion is an intelligent therapeutic tool. Who are difficult adolescents? Mainly noncompliant adolescents, demanding teenagers from undemanding families. The lack of understanding of the specific undemanding mechanism is at the basis of educational or therapeutic failures. The author introduces the new concept of “closure syndrome” to describe a psychic state where mental processes which are to sustain a spontaneous demand have not yet matured. In fact, a real demand can only occur in the exchange relationship model, which is also called reciprocal relationship. But to enter into a reciprocal relationship, mental structures are needed: self-esteem and confidence in others are an absolute pre-requisite. If someone does not think that they could be loved, if they are doubtful that others can love generously, he/she cannot commit to an exchange relationship, and, of course, a helping relationship. In this way, the non-exclusion theoretical position offers the first step to create a helping relationship: security. Given this essential basis, the closure syndrome therapy consists firstly in establishing an alliance with the adolescent, and integrating a satisfying self-image, and secondly in establishing a positive alliance with the struggling parent in order to help them achieve emotional parental maturity; in turn, this can lead to the achievement of the child’s educational program.
Réseaux sociaux