Course Description
Theories and techniques for counseling children and adolescents. Current research and clinical practice will be presented and how they influence the development of play therapy and counseling theories related to children and adolescents.
Athena Title
COUNS CHILD & ADOLS
Prerequisite
ECHD 4020/6020 and ECHD 7040
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn about the: 1. Issues which may affect the development and functioning of children and adolescents (abuse, eating disorders, ADHD, depression, peer relationships, drug use, sexual development, and self image issues). 2. Techniques including individual and group approaches that may incorporate play therapy and creative counseling appropriate for children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings. 3. Issues including ethical and legal ones that are unique to counseling children and adolescents and shared with other modalities, i.e., documentation, competence, informed consent, confidentiality, boundaries, and duty to warn and protect. 4. Developmental stages of children and adolescents. 5. Issues related to the person of the professional counselor and how it impacts the unfolding relationship with the child and adolescent including issues of transference and countertransference. 6. Ways to conceptualize a client's presenting clinical issues developmentally and theoretically.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction to counseling children and adolescents 2. Lifespan development 3. Children and adolescents affected by abuse, crisis, trauma, death, and divorce 4. Counseling children and adolescents labeled with DSM disorders 5. Diagnostic issues and medications 6. Counseling and interventions specific to adolescents including the use of the creative arts and play therapy 7. Special issues and specific settings in counseling children and adolescents- multicultural counseling, school, private practice, community agencies, parent education, and consultation among professionals.
Syllabus
Public CV