This case study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Mode Deactivation Therapy (MDT)
implementation in a child and adolescent residential treatment unit and provide preliminary
effectiveness data on MDT versus treatment as usual (TAU). This case study compared the
efficacy of two treatment methodologies for adolescent males in residential treatment with
conduct disorders and/or personality dysfunctions with physically or sexually aggressive
behaviors over one year. The twenty patients were admitted to the same residential treatment unit,
ten were given the MDT protocol and the other relied on TAU. Assessments of depressive
symptoms, suicidal ideation, along with monitoring of aggressive behaviors with the evaluations
conducted after one year of treatment. The results showed MDT to be more effective then TAU in
reducing both physical aggression and therapeutic restraints. The promising results of this study
suggest that further evaluation of MDT for the treatment of adolescent’s residential patients is
warranted.