Reaching emotionally disturbed children: 'judo' principles in remedial education

The importance of the interpersonal meanings of symptomatology, especially as they relate to issues of control in therapy, is explored across a wide variety of treatment approaches. It is concluded that the often destructive behavior of distrubed adolescents may be viewed not simply as pathology to be altered, but as potential strength to be channeled. Implications for therapeutic technique are discussed, and examples are offered.