“One of the best treatment manuals for working with adolescent problems that exists within the family therapy field....a must read for everyone who treats difficult teenagers.”

—Journal of Family Psychotherapy


“I recommend this book for any mental health clinician who works with difficult adolescents and their families. It is an excellent volume outlining a step-by-step approach to effecting lasting change in severely behaviorally disordered adolescents.”

—Canadian Child Psychiatry Review


“Using Treating the Tough Adolescent as a text provides my students with a clear, concise understanding of the strategic therapy model and its application. Many students (as well as veteran therapists) are intimidated by the idea of working with out-of-control teens and their families. Dr. Sells's book is written in a straightforward way and offers specific strategies that, when followed, will lead to success.”

—Peter D. Bradley, PhD, Department of Family Therapy, Texas Woman's University


“This book is a gem. Sells provides front-line clinicians with a step-by-step road map for doing effective family therapy with difficult adolescents. If you wish to know what an advanced structural-strategic family therapy model looks like, read this book.”

—Matthew D. Selekman, MSW, Response Center, Skokie, IL


“Treating the Tough Adolescent offers a sensible and strategic approach to resolving the family problems of difficult adolescents....This is a valuable book that wedges research-supported ideas into practical guidance for therapists struggling with exasperating adolescents and their families.”

—from the Foreword by Jay Haley


“Dr. Sells's approach, which is theoretically derived, extensively researched, and carefully refined, is logical, considerate, eminently practical, and easy to follow. His explanations of what to do, why to do it, and how to do it should be accessible and useful to all.”

—from the Foreword by Neil Schiff