Emotional Regulation in Children and Adolescents: A Practitioner's Guide

Emotion regulation difficulties are central to a range of clinical problems, yet many therapies for children and adolescents lack a focus on emotion and related skills. In a flexible modular format, this much-needed book presents cutting-edge strategies for helping children and adolescents understand and manage challenging emotional experiences. Each of the eight treatment modules can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies, and includes user-friendly case examples, sample dialogues, and engaging activities and games. Emotion-informed assessment and case conceptualisation are also addressed.

Reproducible handouts can be photocopied from the book or downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

This book will be helpful for clinical child/adolescent psychologists, counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists, and school psychologists.

Table of Contents

I. Background On Emotions and Emotion Regulation

1. Introduction
2. Conceptual Background: The Science of Emotions
3. Emotion-Related Assessment
4. Case Conceptualization: Using Functional Analysis to Define Problems and Identify Targets for Intervention
5. Treatment Planning: Combining Functional Analysis and Modularity
6. Final Considerations: Caregivers, Culture, and Engaging Challenging Clients

II. Treatment Modules

Module 1. Emotion Awareness Skills

Module 2. Emotion Understanding Skills

Module 3. Empathy Skills

Module 4. Emotion Regulation Skills I: Prevention Skills

Module 5. Emotion Regulation Skills II: Mastery

Module 6. Emotion Regulation Skills III: Expression Skills

Module 7. Emotion Regulation Skills IV: Basic Cognitive Skills

Module 8. Emotion Regulation Skills V: Emotion-Specific Cognitive Skills

"The book meets a long-standing need with its thorough and clear explication of the role of emotions in evidence-based treatment. It is a gold mine of ideas. Southam-Gerow, an accomplished scientist and master cognitive-behavioral therapist, is a leader in the application of effective treatments in real-world clinical contexts. Anyone working with children who struggle with anxiety, depression, or anger will find this book eminently practical and a pleasure to read."
- Bruce F. Chorpita, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles

"This volume provides an impressive integration of the science of emotion and its clinical application. The book is versatile and will be useful to psychotherapy practitioners and students alike. The modular approach—suitable for young people experiencing a range of psychological difficulties—is especially valuable. I see this book becoming a 'go-to' resource for all clinicians working with school-age children and adolescents."
- Cynthia Suveg, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Georgia

"Southam-Gerow expertly weaves together theoretical principles, empirical evidence, and clinical experience. He offers clearly explained, creative ways to identify and address problematic deficits in emotion regulation processes with children and adolescents. This hands-on guide, written from a behavioral perspective and derived from a strong evidence base, fills a notable gap in the field. It will be greatly appreciated by clinical child practitioners."
- Janice L. Zeman, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, College of William and Mary