Severely Troubled Youth

Course overview

This course discusses the population of severely troubled youth who tend to commit juvenile offences in the U.S. The commonly used approaches to treatment and their efficacy are explored in addition to risk and protective factors among juveniles. Additionally, it will cover the importance of developmental and gender-specific interventions as well as institutional and evidence-based practices. The second section delves into aspects related to understanding troubled youth including attachment, gender differences, reasons, and purposes for non-normative behavior. The final section develops the conversation about which strategies to facilitate change are being used and their elements. These strategies include Mindfulness, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Moral Reconation, Motivational Interviewing, and Restorative Justice.