What Would the Judge Do with this Troubled Teen?

Posted by Nicole Saunders

Jan 15, 2016 10:00:00 AM

Would "K" be better off in placement, or could MST help keep her with her family?

It was a case of “what would it take?” What would be the tipping point that would make a judge decide to send an incorrigible young girl to placement or leave her at home?

Before the judge stood a 14-year-old K who had exhibited many of the behaviors of an out-of-control youth. She couldn’t control her anger. She went missing for long periods of time and had substance-abuse problems. She was aggressive toward her family and disrespected her mother—to the point her mom had had enough and was throwing in the towel. She wanted the judge to remove her daughter from her home.

Then, MST entered the picture, and a therapist started working with K and her family. To help K be successful at home, in school, and at work, her therapist guided the family into developing a positive home-school link and a positive connection with K’s employer, a Youth Urban Program. Linking these systems meant that K was held accountable and supported her success. The family instituted a set of consistent rewards and consequences for the girl’s actions and most importantly, found a way to improve communication between mother and daughter. Mom developed skills to deliver feedback to K— learning to exist and wait, using a positive tone of voice, and making her expectations clear. On her part, K learned, through interventions at home and work, to take instructions from adults. She experienced a positive environment and was given a “fresh start.”

Was this enough to keep K out of placement?

So what would the judge decide? After all, K had gotten in trouble outside of the home. Was she a threat to the community? Her MST therapist came up with an idea. Get K’s employer to write a letter saying K was becoming a productive and responsible citizen, and with the help and support of her MST therapist, K could remain in the community. 

The judge ruled it would be best for everyone if the girl stayed with her family. He told the MST therapist that the letter was a major factor in his decision.

Asking for a letter was a smart move by the therapist. She saw how well K was doing at work, and knew if the judge and the family could see K in the same way, there would be hope for the family that things were moving in the right direction. The letter itself demonstrated just how far K had come—and how far she could go. 


One of MST’s Nine Principles is increasing responsibility by designing interventions that promote responsible behavior and decrease irresponsible actions. K’s story is a good demonstration of this principle. 

Nicole Saunders is an MST therapist at the Providence Center in Rhode Island.  

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Topics: Troubled Youth