The document describes a behavior modification program for adolescents in a residential treatment center and presents results of research which illustrate positive results. The self-instructional program focuses on teaching the adolescent self-verbalizations which are conducive to supportive behavior. Five phases are required. First, the adolescent must conceptualize the problem and understand that changes in problematic behavior would result in concrete benefits. In the second phase, the therapist introduces the concept of private speech and in phase three the adolescent analyzes private speech that occurs during problematic behavior. Phase four consists of analyzing the self-defeating nature of the usual verbalizations and developing alternative verbalizations. The final phase calls for the application of self-verbalization skills in day-to-day situations. The study of this approach to behavior modification involved 15 adolescents admitted to a residential treatment center because of severe behavior problems. Dependent measures were physical absence from class, failures to complete social/self-care responsibilities, and frequency of impulsive behavior. Results indicate that the addition of this self-instructional component to the behavior modification program created change in adolescents when compared to control groups. (Author/KC)