Session 6: Increasing Teen Independence

Abstract

Session 6 is intended to be a family-focused session, with the teen and parent(s) seen conjointly for all or at least a major portion of the session. This format allows the clinician to observe the ways in which the teen and parent(s) approach such issues as problem solving and decision making and to coach and provide feedback and guidance in developing family dynamics that increase teen confidence and skills in becoming more confident and independent. The mechanism for stimulating these discussions is generated from the Workbook exercises and Worksheets addressing the activity schedule of a healthy teen versus the teen with a chronic illness and together generating strategies for increasing teen independence that they will approach between sessions.