ABSTRACT
Discussion of the assessment and engagement process continues in this chapter with discussion of two key processes: making the offer of therapy and identifying the developmental focus in each case. The offer of therapy is arrived at through following four interconnected processes: making a psychodynamic formulation, forming and sharing a developmental focus, negotiating an offer of treatment and contracting for therapy. These involve the therapist reaching a decision about the suitability of time-limited psychotherapy, and the young person agreeing. These processes are illustrated with case examples; these include examples where difficulties are experienced in the therapeutic process. The key parameters for brief therapy – aims, focus, suitability and termination – are worked with in TAPP, drawing upon models of brief therapy, as discussed in Chapter 2; how TAPP aligns with these models of brief therapy and adapts them for working with young people is discussed.
