The use of paradoxical interventions and brief therapy interdictions with a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents (males and females ages 13-18) attending a semi-residential alternative school was investigated. Paradoxical interventions were made by the psychological staff for purposes of management and change of withdrawn, acting out and phobic behaviors of the adolescents. The effectiveness of the technique and issues regarding special applications of the technique to this population were analyzed in terms of four case studies. Results indicated that over the course of a year the use of paradoxical intervention strategies was extremely successful, but that in some instances it was not an effective technique with some adolescents. (Author)