1. Counseling Children and Adolescents
Class 1
Counseling Children and Adolescents

2. Class Assignments
Read Dibs in Search of Self or I Never Promised you a Rose Garden (by Joanne Greenburg) and be ready to discuss it after Midterm
Interview a parent and child and write case study. Directions and release form on ftp site
Midterm and Final- essays posted on ftp site
Helpful information- ftp under SLatson
All powerpoints are on ftp site. Power point used in class may be modified.
Library resources are on ftp site
Textbook has a companion site that had videos, practice for exams, etc.

3. Childhood
Divide in groups according to “growing up” generation and consider the following questions
What did you and your friends enjoy doing in your free time?
How much of your time was structured?
What were some of the concerns you or your friends might have had that would have benefited from counseling?
Did you or your friends go to counseling? If so, what was your perception of it?

4. Today
What do you think are some of the concerns in this generation that are different from your generation?
How will counseling benefit children in this generation?

5. What do children come to counseling for?

6. (1) interpersonal conflict, or conflict with others;
(2) intrapersonal conflict, or conflict with self; (3) lack of information about self;
(4) lack of information about the environment;
(5) lack of skill.
I would add adjustment to trauma or change

7. Look at the developmental assets
Look at the developmental assets. How do you think guidance , parent education, etc. help develop resilience?
Developmental Assets Video

8. When working with kids, consider development-especially attachment.
Attachment video-

9. The teen brain

10. Cultural considerations
Native American
African American
Asian American
Latino
BiRacial/ Multiracial

11. What are some considerations for working with children/teens in counseling? How is it different from counseling adults?

12. How would you overcome resistance?

13. . Lazarus developed his BASIC ID model to describe seven problem areas often treated in counseling:
B Behavior: Fighting, Disruption, Talking, Stealing, Procrastination
A Affect: Expression of anger, Anxiety, Phobias, Depression
S Sensation/School: Headaches, backaches, and stomachaches; School failure,
Perceptual/motor problems
I Imagery: Nightmares, Low self-esteem, Fear of rejection, Excessive daydreaming
and fantasizing
C Cognition: Irrational thinking, Difficulty in setting goals, Decision-making
problems, Problem-solving difficulties
I Interpersonal relationship: withdrawing from others (shyness), Conflict with
adults, Conflict with peers, Family problems
D Drugs/Diets: Hyperactivity, Weight-control problems, Drug Abuse, Addictions

14. Keat converted the BASIC ID model into a system geared for working with children and used the acronym HELPING:
H refers to health issues (pain and sickness).
E stands for emotions (anxiety, anger, feeling down).
L is for learning problems (deficiencies, failing, and sensory shallowness).
P stands for personal relationships (adult and peer relationships).
I refers to imagery (low self-worth and poor coping skills).
N is the need to know (despair, faulty thinking, lack of information).
G stands for guidance of actions, behaviors, and consequences (behavior and
motivation problems).

15. Ethical Concerns

16. What are some ethical concerns that affect children?

17. Children in counseling have the right:
To be respected and told the truth
To know about the evaluation process, rationale, and results
To be told about the interventions
To receive information about confidentiality and its limits
To be involved  in decision making and goal setting
To control the release of their personal information
To be released from treatment if unsuccessful
Not to be the scapegoat in a dysfunctional family
© 2011 Brooks/Cole, A Division of Cengage Learning

18. Parents’ rights and responsibilities include:
Providing for the child’s welfare
Having access to information that pertains to the child’s welfare
Seeking treatment for their child
Participating in therapy decisions and goal setting for their child
Giving permission for treatments
Releasing confidential information about their child
© 2011 Brooks/Cole, A Division of Cengage Learning

19. Privacy and Children
Younger children have little understanding or need for privacy
Preadolescents and adolescents may have a heightened need
Some children may want their parents to know what is going on in counseling
Children will sometimes disclose something hoping the adult will intervene.
Children’s reasoning capacity may limit the decision making ability.
© 2011 Brooks/Cole, A Division of Cengage Learning

20. Confidentiality professional in court-ordered role
Explain during first and subsequent interviews about confidentiality and its limits
Should be done orally and in writing
Limits include
professional in court-ordered role
court mandated release of files
malpractice lawsuit
mental state used as defense in court
hospitalization is necessary
client is danger to self or others
client is minor and victim of a crime
© 2011 Brooks/Cole, A Division of Cengage Learning

21. Summary practice within your boundaries know state laws
always explain confidentiality
maintain accurate/objective records
purchase liability insurance
confer with colleagues
© 2011 Brooks/Cole, A Division of Cengage Learning