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This practical handbook is designed for counsellors, social workers, and psychologists in schools and mental health settings. It offers over 100 creative activities and effective interventions for individual counselling with children and adolescents (ages 6-18).
The activities include stories, songs, games, worksheets, role plays, and other strategies that address problems, such as anger, anxiety/worry, depression, underachievement, procrastination, perfectionism, self-downing, and acting out.
The interventions, which are based on the principles of rational emotive behaviour therapy, can be used for helping students with normal developmental issues as well as for helping those with more serious emotional or behavioural problems. Dr. Vernon provides strategies for establishing a therapeutic relationship with students who are sometimes apprehensive or opposed to counselling.
Several case studies are included to help illustrate the counselling techniques and interventions. The book also includes a chapter on working with parents and teachers.
Reproducible forms and student handouts are available to download.
Chapter 1: Considerations in Working with Young Clients
- Early Childhood
- Middle Childhood
- Early Adolescence
- Mid-Adolescence
- Strategies for Building Rapport with Children (Ages 5 to 10)
- Strategies for Building Rapport with Adolescents(Ages 11 to 18)
• Establishing Goals
Chapter 2: Basic Principles of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
- Irrational Beliefs
- Disputation
- Rational Beliefs/Moderation of Feelings and Behaviors
- Problem Assessment
- The ABC Process
- Homework
- Evaluation
Chapter 3: Interventions for Internalizing Problems
- Summary of Case Study
Chapter 4: Interventions for Externalizing Problems
- Summary of Case Study
Chapter 5: Interventions for Typical Developmental Problems
- Summary of Case Study
Chapter 6: Applications for Parents and Teachers
- Authoritarian Style
- Permissive Style
- Authoritative Style
- Logical Consequences
- Communication Techniques: What Doesn't Work and What Does
- Summary of Case Study
Appendix: Game Board
"While many existing books discuss the theoretical orientations of different therapies, there are far fewer that describe specific techniques for use with children and adolescents. Dr. Vernon fills this void. . . . a well-written guide that many clinicians will find useful."
- Erin Clark and Ray Christner, Communique - Newspaper of the US National Association of School Psychologists
"Vernon uses anecdotes to help provide the basics of different counseling techniques, and addresses internalizing problems, developmental problems, and emotive behavior. The book also includes suggestions for well-crafted activities to supplement standard therapy techniques."
- Youth Today, The Newspaper on Youth Work
