Adolescence and Delinquency: An Object-Relations Theory Approach

This book applies modern object relations theory—particularly the concept of intersubjectivity as articulated by Thomas Ogden—to a population for which the 'treatment du jour' is increasingly cognitive-behavioral. Taking his lead from the delinquent adolescents in his practice, Dr. Brodie presents a treatment approach based on respect rather than condescension. Adolescents are related to as people, rather than as transitory objects passing through a 'stage.' Rather than judging their feelings and behaviors as 'aberrant,' the author views them as having emerged out of the complex matrix of his patients' lives. Adolescence and Delinqucney: An Object Relations Theory Approach is less an attempt to apply object relations theory to a particular population than it is an attempt to illuminate the seamlessness of theory and application. Theory and case examples are presented in a dialectical relationship, psychological theory having no meaning other than an attempt to understand real people, and the people we work with are unintelligible outside some systematic frame of reference.

About the Author :
Bruce R. Brodie has worked at the "Center," a secure residential treatment center for delinquent adolescents for the past twenty years, thirteen of those years as either clinical director or director of training. Dr. Brodie is also adjunct professor at CSPP at Alliant University and is associate director at the Saturday Center for Psychotherapy. He maintains a private practice in Santa Monica.

Review :
This volume adds a unique perspective to the literature on adolescence and delinquency....[it] will serve readers striving to understand the worldviews of adolescents, particularly those who do not conform to societal expectations. Summing up: Recommended. With rich and evocative case illustrations and clear discussion of object relational concepts, Adolescence and Delinquency is able to offer those who work with this troubled population of gang-bangers, drug-addicts, and teen prostitutes a modern-day "guide for the perplexed." While this is already an impressive accomplishment, Brodie's book actually does more. By showing us how Klein's ideas, in particular, may be distilled and applied to a clinical population widely acknowledged to be among the most difficult to treat, he has contemporized Kleinian theory in a way that has eluded other modern exponents of this approach. Moreover, Brodie never loses sight of the critical importance of the therapist's own subjectivity, whether in reference to his own cases or those of supervisees. Adolescence and Delinquency offers a rare blend of clinical wisdom, emotional candor, and vitality in a determined effort to extract meaning and introduce hope into the shattered lives of traumatized adolescents. Rooted in object relations theory, Dr. Brodie presents a compelling psychology of the delinquent youth. This psychology allows him a therapeutic approach that seeks to impart understanding but does not shy from helpfulness, and that above all guides his clinical involvement in ways that these adolescents need. His theory and practice allow him to approach the adolescent who is determined not to be understood, who clings addictively to bad objects, and to effect positive outcomes. This book is a significant contribution to the field. When dealing with the most complicated cases of psychopathology clinicians need as many different tools as possible to be effective with the widest range of cases. The psychopathology of crime and aggression is a most complex area of psychiatry where bios, psyche, and socios interact to produce the most amazing conundrums. This concise and well-written volume offers an approach to delinquents in the rich tradition of the Austrian school of healing pedagogy, started by August Aichhorn. In a time whenevidence-based medical practice is foremost in our minds, this volume complements the needed insights from reductionistic science and clinical trials with the wisdom of practice-based evidence. The author clearly has developed an amazing empathic stance with these most unfortunate youths. He has systematized his approach with the help of object-relations theory to the point where we can learn how to reach all those who never will complete a single clinical trial and whose psychology resists the impact ofsimple (albeit at times effective) prescriptions. This book is a gem meant for those who know when a well-managed clinical relationship is the best vehicle for healing. Throughout the book Brodie consistently exudes sincere respect and care for his teen clients, seeing this as key to not only their improvement but also their ability to thrive and flourish. His genuineness and goodwill shine through in his clinical vignettes. The achievement of Adolescence and Delinquency: An Object Relations Theory Approach is its clear articulation of what adolescent thinking looks like when anchored primarily in the part-object position. Students and beginning practitioners of object relations theory working with this population will view Brodie's case vignettes as useful exemplars of splitting, the depressive position, and therapeutic containment... Throughout the book Brodie consistently exudes sincere respect and care for his teen clients, seeing this as key to not only their improvement but also their ability to thrive and flourish. His genuineness and goodwill shine through in his clinical vignettes. The achievement of Adolescence and Delinquency: An Object Relations Theory Approach is its clear articulation of what adolescent thinking looks like when anchored primarily in the part-object position. Students and beginning practitioners of object relations theory working with this population will view Brodie's case vignettes as useful exemplars of splitting, the depressive position, and therapeutic containment. When dealing with the most complicated cases of psychopathology clinicians need as many different tools as possible to be effective with the widest range of cases. The psychopathology of crime and aggression is a most complex area of psychiatry where bios, psyche, and socios interact to produce the most amazing conundrums. This concise and well-written volume offers an approach to delinquents in the rich tradition of the Austrian school of healing pedagogy, started by August Aichhorn. In a time when evidence-based medical practice is foremost in our minds, this volume complements the needed insights from reductionistic science and clinical trials with the wisdom of practice-based evidence. The author clearly has developed an amazing empathic stance with these most unfortunate youths. He has systematized his approach with the help of object-relations theory to the point where we can learn how to reach all those who never will complete a single clinical trial and whose psychology resists the impact of simple (albeit at times effective) prescriptions. This book is a gem meant for those who know when a well-managed clinical relationship is the best vehicle for healing.