Product Description

Working with adopted adolescents is complex. The key to successful therapy and healthy development is to help the adolescent discover and accept the person within. Parents will discover: •the six most common adoption stuck-spots •the complexities of adoption •the adopted teen’s quest for identity •how therapy may help the adoptive families learn and grow together. Therapists and clinicians will discover: •a broad knowledge base on adoption •a step-by-step assessment process •clinical intervention strategies •a wealth of case histories •treatment resources and therapy tools •writing and art therapy samples.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78214 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 262 pages

Review
Originally conceived and written as a guide for therapists working with adopted adolescents…also an extremely valuable resource for parents. -- Susan Freivalds, editorial advisor to Adoptive Families magazine

Originally conceived and written as a guide for therapists working with adopted adolescents…also an extremely valuable resource for parents. --Susan Freivalds, editorial advisor to Adoptive Families magazine

The most powerful feature …wealth of specific, concrete suggestions for dealing with issues like rejection, depression, secrecy, and identity confusion. -- William Burnet, M.D., Director of Forensic Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University

The most powerful feature …wealth of specific, concrete suggestions for dealing with issues like rejection, depression, secrecy, and identity confusion. --William Burnet, M.D., Director of Forensic Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University

… an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the developmental challenges and psychological issues that adopted adolescents and their families experience. --Madelyn Freundlich, Director of Policy, Children’s Rights

…an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the developmental challenges and psychological issues that adopted adolescents and their families experience. -- Madelyn Freundlich, Director of Policy, Children's Rights

About the Author
Debbie Riley, M.S. is the Executive Director of the Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. She received her master’s degree from the University of Maryland, Department of Family studies. She has been a practicing marriage and family therapist for twenty-three years, focusing on adolescent mental health, and treating teens in outpatient, inpatient, and community mental health settings. She is the co-founder of Operation Runaway - a unique public/private partnership between one of the country’s largest suburban police departments and a community psychiatric hospital. Since 1993, she has focused exclusively on the field of adoption, creating an innovative post-adoption family support center in the Washington metropolitan area. Services include a continuum of comprehensive adoption mental health services, education and support services for the adoption community. Ms. Riley is an accomplish presenter both locally and nationally on adoption issues and writes for various adoption-related publications. John E. Meeks, M.D., has been a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist for more than forty-five years. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee. He has taught at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and the Georgetown University Medical School. He has served as director of several child and adolescent divisions in psychiatric hospitals. He is co-founder and has served as the president and medical director of The Foundation Schools since 1975. The foundation Schools operate three K-12 schools for students with emotional disturbance. He has authored several articles on individual and group psychotherapy, behavioral disorders of childhood, treatment of adolescent suicide, adolescent substance abuse, hospitalization and inpatient treatment and adolescent depression. Dr. Meeks is best known for his classic textbook The Fragile Alliance; another book on depression, High Times, Low Times the Many Faces of Adolescent Depression; and his most recent publication, The Learning Alliance. Dr. Meeks received the prestigious national Schonfeld Award from the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry for his lifetime contributions to child and adolescent psychiatry.

Customer Reviews

excellent reference for parents and professionals
This book is a wonderful reference for all adoptive parents and professionals who work with adopted teens. It is written in a very accessible manner, not filled with professional jargon that can put off parents. There are so many case examples that you almost feel like you are talking with Riley and Meeks.It's that practical help you can really appreciate. I'd really recommend it for all adoptive parents to help prepare them for the teen years. For mental health professionals who have not had too much experience with adopted people this book will really be an eye opener, helping them to see the real issues of adopted teens and how they can be so very different from those of non-adopted kids.

Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens
I think this book is terrific! The authors' describe six "stuck spots" or stages that all adolescents go through and the particular affects on the adopted teen. I found the case studies particularly illuminating (heartwarming and heart wrenching, too). This is a great source for both parents and therapists; and it is easy to read. If your teen is struggling, then this provides ingredients to a deeper understanding of adoption issues. Even if your adopted teen is sailing through adolescence, it is important to understand the kind of thoughts they may be reluctant to share with you. This is a must read for all adoptive parents, particularly for those whose children may have experienced early trauma.

Beneath the Mask
I found the book refreshing, because it treated the parent as an intelligent collaborator. While being readable it covers the subject with the complexity it deserves. I highly recommend this book!