AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, the student should:

Understand adolescent dynamics and demonstrate to know which integrated psychotherapeutic interventions must be activated in case of psychological/psychiatric distress of the adolescent:   Understand the adolescent growing process, demonstrating knowledge of psychic mechanisms behind the overcoming complexity of physiological developmental needs.
Recognize most frequent psychopathologies of the adolescence, considering diagnostic difficulties during a transition phase.
Demonstrate knowledge of the mechanisms of “setting” in adolescent psychotherapy and the capacity to motivate such therapeutic peculiarities.
Gain knowledge of dynamics and the risk of suicide during the adolescence.
Gain knowledge of prevalence data on main mental disorders during the adolescence.
Acquire communicative competence and skills using the specific terminology of the subject matter.

TEACHING METHODS

Four frontal lessons, each lasting 2 hours and half .
Support slides will be discussed and detailed by the professor.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Adolescent psychotherapy, given the complexity of the path of growth throughout adolescence, characterized by rapid emotional changes, sometimes conflicting and full of turmoil, needs to take account of considerations and modifications related to the used technique and to the setting.
While maintaining the theoretical models used with adults, the therapist must adopt an inner attitude which could allow a valid therapeutic alliance, taking into consideration the aspects of narcissistic vulnerability  that characterize the different stages of adolescence. 
Therapeutic interaction between the adolescent patient, parents and the therapist provides the opportunity to promote and add value to internal and external resources, both essential for the structuring and the remodeling of psychic world and social skills.

Syllabus:

Part 1

• Psych evaluation of the adolescent

• Adolescence and development of personality

• Externalization of conflicts

Part 2

• Narcissistic vulnerability in adolescence

• Adolescents and somatization

• Self-harm in adolescence.

Part 3

• Mood disorders in adolescence

• Depression in adolescence

• Risk factors and protective factors.

• Depressione in adolescence outcome

• Onset bipolar disorder

Part 4

• Therapeutic network and healing environment

• Operators interactions

• Rehabilitation

• Clinical case and discussion

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Slides and other teaching material, if requested, will be provided online to students.
All class contents will be sufficient theoretical elements for exam preparation. 
For more detailed material on the topics that will be discussed, I suggest the following texts:

Jemmet Ph. (1990°) Psicopatologia dell’adolescenza, Borla, Roma.

Albero D. (a cura di) (2004) Psicoterapie dell’adolescente. Setting, relazione trattamento, FrancoAngeli, Milano

Pelanda E. (a cura di), (2003) Il tentativo di suicidio in adolescenza, FrancoAngeli, Milano