The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword: Writing to Combat Adolescent Silence in Family Therapy

Objective Silence in therapy is a controversial subject. Often, clients who are silent are thought of as be-

ing resistant o therapy. Silent adolescents are typically labeled as such. Adolescent clients may be "forced" to come to family therapy and, in an attempt to exert some control over the situation, may refuse to speak in session. The purpose of this chapter is to present alternative means for the therapist working with adolescents within family therapy who choose to be silent in session.