COURSE OVERVIEW:
In this course we will explore the intricate world of counselling minors, encompassing children and adolescents, and the diverse range of techniques and approaches essential for effective support and intervention.
Child and adolescent counselling is a specialised field that requires a deep understanding of developmental stages, psychological frameworks, and ethical considerations unique to working with young individuals. In this course, we will delve into the fundamental aspects of child and adolescent counselling, starting with an introduction to its definition, scope, and the profound importance and benefits it brings to young clients.
Ethical considerations form the backbone of counselling minors, and we will navigate through the ethical responsibilities, confidentiality concerns, informed consent, and parental involvement crucial for maintaining a safe and ethical practice.
Understanding developmental stages is pivotal in tailoring counselling approaches. We will explore child development from birth to 12 years and adolescent development from 12 to 18 years, examining the impact of these stages on counselling techniques and interventions.
Various theoretical frameworks guide child and adolescent counselling, and we will delve into psychodynamic approaches, cognitive-behavioural techniques (CBT), humanistic and person-centred approaches, and their applications in addressing common mental health issues prevalent in this population.
Anxiety disorders, depression, mood disorders, behavioural issues, and conduct disorders are some of the mental health challenges we will discuss, along with assessment tools, differential diagnosis, and considerations for culturally diverse clients.
Creative and expressive therapies play a significant role in engaging children and adolescents in therapy. We will explore play therapy techniques, art therapy, sandplay therapy, and symbolic play, alongside cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) tailored for teens, narrative therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques.
Family dynamics are integral to the well-being of young individuals, and we will delve into parent-child relationship enhancement techniques, family-based interventions, and collaborative approaches essential for holistic support.
School-based counselling is another crucial aspect we will cover, including the role of school counsellors, collaboration with educators, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and postvention strategies for supporting survivors of suicide loss.
Cultural competence is a core component of effective counselling, and we will explore diversity, cultural sensitivity, multicultural competence, and anti-bias approaches, with a focus on working with immigrant and refugee youth.
Ethical and legal considerations form an essential part of our discussions, addressing confidentiality, informed consent, parental involvement, mandatory reporting, and child protection laws pertinent to child and adolescent counselling.
By the end of this course, you will have gained a comprehensive understanding of child and adolescent counselling techniques, equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive, and effective support to young clients facing various mental health challenges and life transitions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
- Introduction to Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Definition and Scope of Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Importance and Benefits of Counselling for Children and Adolescents
- Ethical Considerations in Counselling Minors
- Developmental Stages and Milestones
- Understanding Child Development (0-12 years)
- Understanding Adolescent Development (12-18 years)
- Impact of Developmental Stages on Counselling Approaches
- Theoretical Frameworks in Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Psychodynamic Approaches
- Cognitive-Behavioural Approaches (CBT)
- Humanistic and Person-Centred Approaches
- Common Mental Health Issues in Children and Adolescents
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression and Mood Disorders
- Behavioural Disorders and Conduct Issues
- Assessment Tools and Techniques for Children and Adolescents
- Differential Diagnosis in Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Considerations for Culturally Diverse Clients
- Play Therapy Techniques
- Art Therapy and Expressive Arts Techniques
- Sandplay Therapy and Symbolic Play
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Teens
- Narrative Therapy and Storytelling Approaches
- Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
- Family Dynamics in Child & Adolescent Counselling
- Parent-Child Relationship Enhancement Techniques
- Family-Based Interventions and Collaborative Approaches
- School-Based Counselling
- Role of School Counsellors in Child & Adolescent Mental Health
- Counselling Techniques in Educational Settings
- Collaboration with Teachers and School Administrators
- Trauma-Informed Counselling
- Understanding Trauma and its Impact on Children and Adolescents
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT)
- EMDR Therapy for Trauma Resolution in Youth
- Group Counselling Techniques
- Group Therapy for Children and Adolescents
- Psychoeducational Groups and Skill-Building Workshops
- Peer Support and Social Skills Groups
- Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
- Recognising Signs of Crisis in Children and Teens
- Suicide Risk Assessment and Intervention
- Postvention Strategies for Supporting Survivors of Suicide Loss
- Cultural Competence in Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity in Counselling Practices
- Multicultural Competence and Anti-Bias Approaches
- Working with Immigrant and Refugee Youth
- Ethical and Legal Issues in Child and Adolescent Counselling
- Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns with Minors
- Informed Consent and Parental Involvement
- Mandatory Reporting and Child Protection Laws
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.