Can an adolescent be too old to benefit from treatment?
Top It is not the age, but the desire to change that is the greatest factor in treatment efficacy. If the child is 16, 17, or 18 years of age it is important to get a solid commitment from the teenager that they are willing to work hard. They must commit to letting their parents and therapists be the boss. This is after they have accepted responsibility for their behavior and admitted that their life is not going well. This collectively is the contracting part of therapy. Older patients may need to write a letter expressing their desire to improve their life and relationships.
