The summit-annotated contract technique for hospitalized adolescents.

The author describes a technique for use with adolescents (perferably nonpsychotic, acting-out patients) in the terminal phase of psychiatric hospitalization. Patient, parents, and therapist have a summit meeting during which they write a contract which is a prerequisite of the patient's discharge. The document, which all parties sign, specifies conditions of the patient's return to family life. A case report, including a contract, illustrates the use of the technique.