This book focuses on high-risk youth, whose struggles include neglect, abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, the risk of being exploited, mental health issues, and the inability to self-regulate and trust. While practice has traditionally focused on punishment-consequence interventions, this book explores the experience and research that shows how youth can be better served with relationship-based practice. Setting out a philosophy and framework for harm reduction principles, resiliency and strength-based approaches, community collaboration, and an understanding of early trauma, Smyth provides strategies for engaging and working with the most disconnected, challenging and troubled youth in society.
