Bridging the Distance: A Clinical Phase Model of Family Therapy with Adolescent Residential Treatment

Abstract

As early as the 1970s, residential care sought to include families in the clinical treatment of their children (Kemp, 1971). However, families have not been consistently included in residential treatment (Sunseri, 2004) and models are needed to clinically support the phases of family treatment. This article describes an integrative clinical phase model for supporting family therapy with an adolescent in a residential program. Several different phase models are reviewed for family involvement in residential treatment (Fairhurst, 1996; Jones, 1985; Martone, Kemp, & Pearson, 1989). A phase model is advanced that includes updates in family-centered work, corresponding treatment techniques, and knowledge gained in supporting families at one residential program, the Wediko School.