In my diploma thesis, I am representing individual counselling to adolescents with behavioral and emotional problems, which is being performed within the programme »The project man«.
In the theoretical part I describe the adolescent perios as a developmental transition period in which an individual is no longer a child , however he is not an adult yet. Secondly I present an overview og the theoretical views as family systems; I especially focus on their roles during the development of an adolescent. I continue with the representation of counselling focusing on adolescent counselling. I complete the theoretical part with a detailed presentation of the programme »The project man« and its guidelines for children and adolescents; I am a part of this programme, working as a consultant.
In the empirical part of this theses mymethod was a qualitative research with which I have analysed five interviews with former programme participants that have sucessfully completed the programme. The purpose of the research was to undestand their perspective on the programme and evaluate their experiences, what their reasons were to join the programme, and how they estimate the impact of the programme on their lives.
The outcome od the research shows that the disaffection of the adolescent with the environment does not happen overnight, but rather gradually, and that the situation is already critical, when problems start to show on a behavioral level. Inappropriate or non-existing communication and the absence of a meaningful feeling, goals and responsabilities are the main reasons for conflicts preventing the adolescents to cope with the challenges that come with growing up.
Consequently, adolescents start to use drugs and then problems at school start; this seems to be the biggest warning for parents. Parents see a solution in the programme, but adolescents usually have a negative opinion about it and do not join with a positive attitude.
With perseverance, patience and active listening, the »wall of silence« is slowly getting thinner, family relations are improving, and the fundaments for a better future are being bulit.
The research has shown that the programme has been recognized as good and successful by the 5 interviewers. Or as one former user said: »The programme has saved my life, my family and everything else«.
I included mypersonal feedback and views on the theoretical part based on my experiences, as well as on the entire filed of the last chapter.
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