Brief Psychotherapy in an Adolescent Medical Clinic: A Case Example

A large percentage of the patients who come to an adolescentmedical clinic manifest some degree of psychological distress,but often these patients initially prefer to see their problemsas medical and so do not seek the services of a mental healthpractitioner. The case example presented demonstrates one importantfunction which a specialist in mental health can serve in ageneral medical clinic. It describes the treatment of a 14-year-oldgirl who was depressed and suffering from feelings of depersonalization.It highlights the point that although her symptoms were severeenough to induce her to take a leave of absence from her positionsas vice-president of the student council and president of thePep Club, she had a number of strengths which enabled her tomake use of brief psychotherapy. Thus, she was well suited fortreatment in the medical setting where she presented herself.By participating in treatment there, she was able to attainsome resolution of her difficulties and a remitting of her symptoms,without referral to a psychiatric clinic.