Therapy with children: A new skill for counsellors

Children and young people are in emotional crisis as never before. Yet people on counselling courses are routinely told that they can't work with children. This books seeks to plug the gap, enabling qualified counsellors to harness new skills and begin to work with clients under 16. The need to help children is huge. Internet access has resulted in widespread cyber bullying. Preteens are becoming addicted to online pornography, gambling and 'sexting'. Childhood stress, depression and anxiety are widespread. Yet statutory counselling services for under-16s are stretched to breaking point, with waiting times as high as 18 months. Counsellors wanting to widen their skills will find here practical and theoretical ways to work with young clients, including safeguarding, equipping the therapy room with play objects and learning by doing. Therapists are encouraged to engage in all the practical activities. This will not only benefit them personally. It will give them needed skills to make a difference in the lives of children in crisis.