A cognitive perspective applied to emancipation problems

A cognitive theoretical perspective toward emotional distress and behavior disorders is described and then applied to developing both a classification of emancipation problems and a plan for intervention. Problems described include over-dependency, vacillation about dependency, and resistance to authority. The plan for intervention minimizes complications that a vigorously confrontive method often intensifies with adolescents. Instead, it entails accurate reflection of cognitions and thereby capitalizes on anti-expectation.