[With "Beethoven" and juvenile delinquents in the mountains. Report of an experience]

Journal/Book: Z Psychosom Med Psychoanal. 1982; 28: 200-14.

Abstract: The present report describes the work of an American therapist from Nevada who specializes in child and juvenile psychology. He takes groups of young delinquents, five to ten at a time, for expeditions lasting several days - mountain climbing, shooting the rapids, parachute skiing, hiking through snowed- in alpine valleys, etc. - subjecting his charges to psychologically and physically extreme situations. Offering himself as someone to identify with, he enters into a kind of existential communication with these young people as soon as their resistance has melted away, and approaches them individually in joint efforts (e.g. as felling trees). In my opinion his therapy is quite effective and, among other things, leads to a maturation and completion of the precarious ego structures in these youngsters; it raises their frustration tolerance, thereby diminishing their tendency to aggressive reaction; it improves their ability to grasp reality; it leads to a more positive social behaviour and more positive social needs; and finally, it increases their confidence in the possibility of leading a meaningful life.

Keyword(s): Juvenile Delinquency|PX/RH. Mountaineering|

Zurück | Weiter