PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACHES IN THE TREAT MENT OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Psychotherapy is the treatment of mental illness by psychic means. Psy chotherapeutic methods can be either individual, family-centered or gr oup therapy in different settings (outpatient, inpatient or day patien t treatment). Before applying any psychotherapeutic method a thorough diagnostic investigation is necessary. The appropriate psychotherapeut ic method depends on the kind of disorder, the child's developmental s tate, the family's psychological resources and the effectiveness of th e method chosen. The evaluation of therapies equally considers psychot herapeutic methods and programs including non-psychotherapeutic elemen ts as well. Relevant aspects of therapy-evaluation are explained on th e basis of two studies for the evaluation of therapy programs in diffe rent settings.