Residential and inpatient treatment of children and adolescents is a field that is still in the process of defining itself and of demonstrating its effectiveness. Because of the continuous nature of the field's development, it is especially important that a broad range of its theoretical orientations and therapeutic techniques be considered and critically appraised. Residential and inpatient treatment is unique in its potential for both positive and negative outcomes. No other interventions can bring about the major changes in all aspects of a child's environment that inpatient...