This is a service provided by RUcore, Rutgers University Community Repository. https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/48763/syndicate/rss/ Copyright 2018, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey cmmills@libraries.rutgers.edu (RUcore Syndication Service) en-us RUcore Syndication System, v1.0 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 -0500 RUcore, Rutgers University Repository RSS Record Syndication https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/48763/ https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3NG4SMX Wallace, John J. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0500 This case study examines the use of Existential Theory as it relates to the complexity of the adolescent therapeutic alliance. Due to the unique psychosocial circumstances of adolescence, clinicians frequently encounter considerable barriers when attempting to engage and maintain a therapeutic relationship with an adolescent. Emotional trauma and the absence of effective coping skills can lead adolescents to express themselves through physical and verbal aggression that poses a unique challenge for clinicians in the engagement process. Clinicians often struggle with empathy during these encounters, consequently leading to a rupture in the therapeutic relationship and little therapeutic change. This case study will also consider how family therapy, phenomenology and intersubjectivity relate to the use of Existential Theory in practice and how this relationship can lead to a positive outcome in the adolescent working relationship.