A Descriptive Analysis of Long-Term Treatment with Adolescent-Aged Foster Youth

Foster youth experience a complex combination of psychological symptoms associated with the experience of abuse and/or neglect. Among adolescents, psychological challenges can be magnified by an increased likelihood of placement disruption once in foster care, longer stays in the system, and numerous barriers that impede access and use of mainstream psychological intervention. This manuscript relies on two studies to learn more about the experience of adolescent-aged foster youth who utilize long-term mental health services coordinated through A Home Within, a national nonprofit committed to reducing treatment barriers by asking licensed therapists to provide pro bono therapy "for as long as it takes." Study 1 evaluates 84 therapist interviews about client demographics, trauma history, and mental health symptoms in an effort to learn more about the concerns and experiences of adolescent-aged youth participating in treatment. Study 2 examines 30 pre/post interviews with therapists to understand outcomes associated with treatment completion, as well as to describe treatment practices. Findings support a need for continued investigation of long-term psychotherapeutic services with foster youth focused on the needs of youth accessing care and best treatment practices with this population of vulnerable youth.