The Need for Counseling Among Children and Adolescents

Introduction

 Vast advances in information technology have exposed children to complex developmental

challenges.

 Today's children encounter violence and explicit content through various media, such as

television, videos, and the internet.

 Discuss the impact of technology on children in today's world.

Counseling Settings

 Counseling for children occurs in both school and clinical settings.

 School settings provide rich diagnostic information due to interactions with educators and

peers.

 Clinical settings often rely on parental reports and early observations.

 Example: Discrepancies in a child's behavior in clinical and school settings.

Referral Process

 Referral for counseling in clinical settings often initiated by parents for various private

reasons.

 In schools, teachers often refer children with disruptive behaviors.

 Quiet children with emotional issues may go unnoticed in schools.

 Differences in referral dynamics between clinical and school settings.

Goals of Counseling

 Goals in clinical settings align with promoting emotional functioning.

 School settings integrate goals from both education and mental health systems, which can

sometimes conflict.

 Emphasis on developing emotional, behavioral, and social skills in schools.

Confidentiality Challenges

 Constant pressure to share information in school settings.

 Teachers and school personnel may not follow the same ethical codes as counselors and

therapists.

 The need to find a balance between sharing information for interventions and protecting a

child's confidentiality.

Termination of Counseling

 Termination often based on meeting goals and adequate emotional functioning.

 In schools, termination frequently aligns with the end of the school year.

 Continuation of care during the summer may involve referrals to community professionals.

Unique Aspects of Counseling Children

 Children are typically referred for counseling rather than seeking it voluntarily.

 Lack of explicit understanding of the counseling process, purpose, and goals among children.

 Children are influenced by their environment, making them vulnerable and in need of

protection.

Conclusion

 Counseling children and adolescents presents unique challenges and considerations.

 Counselors must be sensitive to the developmental stage, referral dynamics, goals, and

confidentiality issues in different settings.