ABSTRACT

Common behavioral problems revolve around substance abuse, and what are called conduct disordered behaviors and their accompanying attitude issues. Assessing criminal thinking patterns using Stanton Samenow's approach has been in clinical use for many years and such patterns are closely correlated with conduct disordered behaviors. The CRAFFT is a behavioral health screening tool for use with youth under the age of 21 and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Substance Abuse. Trauma experiences often are at the heart of behavioral problems. The two treatment approaches that have great track records for unlocking emotional identification and expression are motivational enhancement and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. Manifestations of trauma can be created by day-to-day challenges in the interpersonal realm, by genetic and/or physiological conditions, by chronic profound neglect, or by situations that overwhelm the adaptive capacity of an individual.