Abstract
A strong therapeutic alliance has been shown to improve mental health treatment outcomes in adults, but this topic has not been fully explored with youth. Adolescents, particularly justice-involved youth, stand to benefit greatly from an improved treatment experience. One quality which can improve treatment is mental health providers’ interpersonal skills when attempting to build a therapeutic rapport with adolescent clients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 youth who screened positive for mental health concerns while in juvenile detention. Four themes were identified as important to improving the therapeutic alliance: Empathy, client-directed care, sequencing, and positive rapport. Suggestions for strengthening a therapeutic alliance are provided.
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This research was supported by a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute awarded to Matthew C. Aalsma.
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Brown, J.R., Holloway, E.D., Akakpo, T.F. et al. “Straight Up”: Enhancing Rapport and Therapeutic Alliance with Previously-Detained Youth in the Delivery of Mental Health Services. Community Ment Health J 50, 193–203 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9617-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-013-9617-3