The Four Phase System: A Multi-Agency Coordinated Service for Very Disturbed Adolescents

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Four Phase System was designed to treat the “un-treatable” adolescent. This adolescent population was viewed as being disturbed and disturbing because they were clinically diagnosed as emotionally disturbed and mentally ill, and engaged in extreme acting-out behaviours, unacceptable to their family and community. This paper describes the establishment and functioning of the system, the links among the agencies, the philosophies used in the operation and management of treatment programs, and the techniques used to modify and bring about change to disturbed disorders. There is also an analysis and discussion of the system detailing what was learned in working with “hard-to-serve” adolescents.