ABSTRACT
The following paper outlines the impact of introducing a different theoretical orientation to behavioral change (systemic/strategic family therapy) at an adolescent residential treatment center which had been primarily psychodynamic in orientation. The introduction of a strategic and systemic approach in this setting is discussed in terms of an initial description of the agency homeostasis followed by a description of the family therapy models employed. The final section of the paper presents suggestions for introducing youth care workers to systems thinking in conjunction with a specific approach to training youth care staff in the techniques of systemic strategic work.
