Criteria for selecting treatment interventions with adolescents

In contrast to the current trend in clinical settings of dispensing with the diagnostic process, the view advanced in this essay is that assessment constitutes the basis for prognosis and for planning any, and all treatment interventions. The reader is offered a spectrum of treatment modalities, specifically, psychoanalysis, individual, family, group, and hospitalization. The discussion delineates the therapeutic needs in accord with the adolescent's depth of disturbance and age (e.g., early, middle, or late adolescence). Too frequently, adolescents of all ages are viewed as a homogeneous group. Individual therapy, the intervention most suitable for the largest range of adolescents, is presented in detail.is the author of several books, includingClinical Work with Children. She maintains a parttime private practice at 225 W. 88th St. New York, NY 10024.     

Maximum-likelihood estimates and likelihood-ratio criteria for multivariate elliptically contoured distributions

For a class of multivariate elliptically contoured distributions the maximum-likelihood estimators of the mean vector and covariance matrix are found under certain conditions. Likelihood-ratio criteria are obtained for a class of null hypotheses. These have the same form as in the normal case.     

The Hidden 25 Percent: An Analysis of Nonresponse on the 1980 General Social Survey

Methods for estimating nonresponse bias are reviewed and severalmethods are tried on the 1980 GSS. The results indicate thatvarious estimating procedures are inappropriate and that eventhe more promising techniques can provide faulty estimates ofnonresponse bias. By its nature, nonresponse bias is very difficultto assess accurately and no simple, certain method exists.     

Unlocking the family secret in family play therapy

Family play therapy combines play therapy with family systems therapy. When family secrets are revealed in a family setting, with play to cushion the family's anxiety, families have the opportunity to resolve long-standing intrapsychic and interpersonal difficulties that impede the psychological well-being of both children and parents. Family play therapy effectively reduces symptomatic behavior in children in an age-appropriate manner—an advantage over family therapy that may be geared to adult cognitive levels. It also gradually shifts the family to a systems perspective of its problems in a non-threatening way, thereby facilitating the child's connection to his or her primary caretakers.Ms. Eaker is a psychotherapist in private practice in Family Systems Theory, and therapist for the United Federation Teachers' Stress Management Program and various Employee Assistance Programs, and a PhD candidate.