Counseling Children and Adolescents

Counseling Children and Adolescents provides readers with a comprehensive exploration of the practice of counseling young clients. The book introduces several theories that have proven effective with young clients, then couples that information with developmentally and culturally appropriate interventions and counseling techniques. Theories addressed include developmental theory, play therapy, brief counseling, reality therapy, and rational-emotive behavior therapy. Each theory is described with specific applications with children and adolescents.

Additional chapters explore working with at-risk youth, exceptional children, and youth affected by challenging circumstances. Other topics addressed in the text include working with parents and families in school and mental health counseling, basic counseling skills and ethical considerations specific to children and adolescents, creative counseling interventions, counseling children from diverse backgrounds, and working with youth in small groups. Each chapter includes case studies, step-by-step processes, Voices from the Field, educational vignettes, and student exercises to the bridge the gap from theory to practice.

This updated edition of Counseling Children and Adolescents features highly informative chapters and information based on rich experience of the authors. With an emphasis on practical applications and empirically-based approaches, it is ideal for graduate-level courses in counseling, psychology, marriage and family, or social work, as well as for practitioners working with young clients.

Ann Vernon, Ph.D., is professor emerita at the University of Northern Iowa. She has authored numerous books and chapters on the topics of counseling children and adolescents, developmental counseling, and applications of REBT with children and adolescents.

Christine J. Schimmel, Ed.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Counseling Psychology at West Virginia University. A former school counselor, she focuses her energies working with and training pre-service school counselors.