Designed for therapists in psychology, social work, family therapy, school psychology, substance and alcoholism therapy, and guidance counseling, this book offers a coherent framework for adolescence as a developmental period, surveys current concepts and research, and makes treatment recommendations.

Part I on Foundations outlines normal adolescent neurological, physical, and reproductive development. Seeing adolescence as an extended "rite of passage," the author presents stages and tasks that need to be accomplished on the way to adulthood.

Part II describes the Developmental Tasks in several areas: personal identity, sexuality, family relationships, social relations with peers, and educational and vocational choice. Therapeutic strategies are suggested for use when the adolescent has taken a developmental detour or is in danger of becoming derailed altogether.

Part III focuses on Developmental Traps: drug and alcohol use, suicide, aggression and violence, eating disorders, depression, and chronic diseases. Here proposals for treatment and for changes in social attitudes and policy are specific and strongly worded; they are based on research and on the author's many years of clinical experience.