Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, Vol. 20, No. 5, October 2003 ( 2003) A Group Approach to Fostering Self-Cohesion and Developmental Progression in Female Adolescent Group Home Residents Annecy Baez, C.S.W., Ph.D. ABSTRACT: In this project, the applicability of David Wexler’s (1991a,b) multi-model Program for Innovative Self Management (PRISM) to adolescent girls in group home placement was explored. The model is based on self-psy- chological and developmental theory. Originally developed for use in adoles- cent inpatient settings, PRISM utilizes cognitive-behavioral and relaxation techniques to equip the acting out adolescents with skills to better manage a wide array of emotions and behaviors. A modified version of PRISM was con- ducted in a group psychotherapeutic format with eighteen residents of two group homes, ages 14 to 18. The study reflected that the participants em- braced the model and applied the skills with encouraging results. Recommen- dations for future research in this area are presented. KEY WORDS: PRISM; Adolescents; Out of Home Care; Group Home; Group Therapy; Short Term; Coping Skills; Self Psychology; Mental Health. Introduction The specific mental health needs of adolescents in group home place- ment has received little attention in the child welfare literature, even though this type of placement is the springboard into early adulthood and a degree of independent living for the adolescents involved. Ado- lescence is inherently a stressful period of the life cycle and normal developmental stress levels are usually exceeded by the adolescent in Annecy Baez is Assistant Professor with New York University School of Social Work. Address correspondence to Annecy Baez, C.S.W., Ph.D., New York University School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York NY 10003. This project was funded by a grant from the Van Ameringen Foundation. 351  2003 Human Sciences Press, Inc.