ABSTRACT
The author introduces contact assessment to the reader, which involves analysis of parent-adolescent relational dynamics during assessment in addition to the gathering of contextual information pertaining to the adolescent’s developmental journey. The reader is introduced to the art of assessing the quality of contact within the evolving parent-adolescent relational space. Parenting spaces are identified as receptive, non-receptive or hostile. Discussion also focuses on how to conduct successful contact assessments and cultivate relational dialogue within the assessment process. The complexity of confidentiality in the work with adolescents is discussed. Common pitfalls in the work as an adolescent psychotherapist are also highlighted.
