The family is recognised as vital to the adolescent’s social behaviour and recovery from substance use disorder. However, as each individual’s behaviour and family situation varies widely, our approach offers flexible programs that can be tailored to the specific needs of both the adolescent and family.
This therapeutic approach examines what is out of balance in family relationships and works on ways to create more harmonious relationships with more open dialogue.
The integrative approach
An integrative approach works withing the family system, focussing on the experiences of the adolescent and the family and working towards a more balanced alliance. The therapy itself opens up space for everyone to be heard, and it’s both in and through this dialogue that each person can draw hope for the future, through hop-inspiring relationships and interchanges.
Adolescent problems such as drug and alcohol use and antisocial behaviour each have complex, interconnected casual factors. Our approach recognises that many perspectives contribute to understanding behaviour problems. These may include behavioural, emotional, biological, environmental, developmental or cognitive perspectives. This comprehensive treatment approach attempts to address the interconnected relationships between emotions, cognitive processes and behaviour.
The family and adolescent change therapy program at Arrow Health
Our Family and Adolescent Change Therapy program follows this integrative, systems-based approach. Therapists work individually with your family and your teen, as well as with the family as a whole to facilitate new relationships and positive change. There is a focus on addressing sources of ongoing influence such as school or juvenile justice systems to address current behaviour, and to provide new solutions for the adolescent.
What is the aim of this therapy?
Recognition as an effective treatment approachFamily-based, systemic therapeutic approaches have been recognised as evidence-based treatments for adolescent substance use disorder. Research into comprehensive family therapy models ahs shown significant reductions in the frequency and severity of adolescent drug use, as well as reductions in emotional distress and troubled behaviour twelve months after treatment. (Liddle et al., 2008; Liddle et al., 2009)
These integrative family approaches have been effective in some of the most sever cases of substance use disorders, including as part of supporting young people back into the community following time in jail due to substance use related crime.
When it comes to treating substance addiction, early intervention is best. This means talking with your teen about drugs and seeking treatment as soon as you discover that they may be using drugs. The first step toward helping your adolescent is to create a trusting relationship with them. To find out more information about our Family and Adolescent Change Therapy program, call 03 9533 7888.