ABSTRACT
There seems to be general agreement that adolescents are the most challenging patients to treat. It is often difficult to make a precise assessment of their problems and it is only the exceptional adolescent who actually wants to have analysis/therapy, however worried he/she may be about their life situation. When attendance is secured, it may still involve missed sessions and occasions when the therapist has to decide whether to wait for the patient to make contact or whether it is important to involve family or other resources. This can be very taxing when the adolescent has been exposed to drugs, violence, or other life-threatening situations. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this part of the book. It describes a developmental view of adolescence and a detailed view of the problems that can be found when they seek psychotherapeutic help.
