“The text is readable and comprehensive without being wordy. Students respond well to it.” — David Rose, Fresno Pacific University
“This is my favorite graduate text for Child Psychotherapy. It’s a comprehensive overview of process, cultural, legal, and ethical issues. I especially like the sections on case conceptualization and treatment planning. This is an essential reference for first year graduate students.” — Mary Louise Cashel, Southern Illinois University
“I am so thankful this book is available! I have been a big fan of this basic text for graduate students for years. I am pleased with the new edition’s edited assessment chapter and addition of mindfulness techniques.” — Kathi Borden, Antioch University New England
422 pages, $76.95 list
1-4786-3637-8
978-1-4786-3637-3
© 2019
paperback
eBook availability
A Comprehensive Guide to Child Psychotherapy and Counseling
Fourth Edition
Christiane Brems, in collaboration with new coauthor Christina Rasmussen, introduces prospective and practicing clinicians to theories and principles of applied clinical work with children ages three to twelve years. The authors take an integrated approach to understanding children and their families, using a biopsychosociocultural model for conceptualization and treatment planning. Their methods are practical and compassionate, as well as contextually grounded and individually tailored.
Chapters follow the logical development of clinicians, mirroring the natural flow of work with children. Coverage ranges from the importance of a beginning practitioner’s introspection and of ethical and legal issues to a variety of intervention techniques and strategies and, finally, termination. Case studies showcase individualized and mindful treatment for each child with whom a clinician works.
Outstanding Features of the Fourth Edition . . .
· Essential attention to how clinicians’ self-awareness can lead to positive therapeutic relationships with children and their families.
· Thorough discussions of the biopsychosociocultural model for conceptualization and treatment planning.
· Emphasis on intensive assessment prior to treatment planning to address the needs of each child and family.
· A compelling, practical exploration of mindfulness intervention with children.
The authors’ methodology addresses the profound effects of the larger environment and culture on children. By adopting the authors’ integrated approach, clinicians are better able to understand important and complicated aspects of a child’s and family’s life. From there, compassionate, thoughtful, and relevant intervention ensues.
Chapters follow the logical development of clinicians, mirroring the natural flow of work with children. Coverage ranges from the importance of a beginning practitioner’s introspection and of ethical and legal issues to a variety of intervention techniques and strategies and, finally, termination. Case studies showcase individualized and mindful treatment for each child with whom a clinician works.
Outstanding Features of the Fourth Edition . . .
· Essential attention to how clinicians’ self-awareness can lead to positive therapeutic relationships with children and their families.
· Thorough discussions of the biopsychosociocultural model for conceptualization and treatment planning.
· Emphasis on intensive assessment prior to treatment planning to address the needs of each child and family.
· A compelling, practical exploration of mindfulness intervention with children.
The authors’ methodology addresses the profound effects of the larger environment and culture on children. By adopting the authors’ integrated approach, clinicians are better able to understand important and complicated aspects of a child’s and family’s life. From there, compassionate, thoughtful, and relevant intervention ensues.
Reactions
Part I: PRELIMINARY ISSUES
1. Markers of Effective Child Clinicians
Educational Needs and Backgrounds of Child Clinicians / Positive Personal Traits of Child Clinicians / Common Reactions of Child Clinicians / Common Vulnerabilities of Child Clinicians / Themes Surrounding Parents and Relationship Issues / Challenges in Working with Parents / Working with the Special Needs of Children
2. Diversity Sensitivity and Competence in Child Therapy and Counseling
Diversity in the United States / Becoming a Humble Diversity-Informed Child Clinician / Process Issues in Diversity Work with Children
3. A Developmental Context for Child Therapy and Counseling
Development: Definition, Influences, and Types / Development Made Relevant to Child Clinicians
4. Environments and Materials for Child Therapy and Counseling
Physical Layout and Design of the Clinic / Features of the Playroom / Toys and Materials to Support the Work
5. Legal and Ethical Issues in Child Therapy and Counseling
Laws and Ethics Codes / Miscellaneous Other Legal and Ethical Issues
Part II: ASSESSMENT
6. The Intake Interview
Preliminary Data Collection / Necessary Information to Be Derived from the Intake Interview / Structure of the Intake Interview / Intake Interview with the Family / Intake Interview with the Parents / Intake Interview with the Siblings / Intake Interview with the Identified Child / Feedback and Recommendations Section of the Intake Interview
7. Conceptualization and Treatment Planning
Preparing for Conceptualization: Diagnosis / Conceptualization: Understanding Case Dynamics / Treatment Planning
Part III: TREATMENT
8. A Framework for Child Therapy and Counseling
Goals for the Therapy and Counseling Process / Phases of Child Therapy and Counseling / Catalysts for Change / Challenges to the Therapy or Counseling Process
9. Using Play in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
10. Storytelling in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
11. Mindfulness in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
12. Graphic and Sculpting Art in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
13. Behavioral Techniques in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
Part IV: TERMINATION
14. Creating Thoughtful Endings
Types of Endings / Natural Termination / Preparation for Natural Termination / Process of Natural Termination / Premature Termination
1. Markers of Effective Child Clinicians
Educational Needs and Backgrounds of Child Clinicians / Positive Personal Traits of Child Clinicians / Common Reactions of Child Clinicians / Common Vulnerabilities of Child Clinicians / Themes Surrounding Parents and Relationship Issues / Challenges in Working with Parents / Working with the Special Needs of Children
2. Diversity Sensitivity and Competence in Child Therapy and Counseling
Diversity in the United States / Becoming a Humble Diversity-Informed Child Clinician / Process Issues in Diversity Work with Children
3. A Developmental Context for Child Therapy and Counseling
Development: Definition, Influences, and Types / Development Made Relevant to Child Clinicians
4. Environments and Materials for Child Therapy and Counseling
Physical Layout and Design of the Clinic / Features of the Playroom / Toys and Materials to Support the Work
5. Legal and Ethical Issues in Child Therapy and Counseling
Laws and Ethics Codes / Miscellaneous Other Legal and Ethical Issues
Part II: ASSESSMENT
6. The Intake Interview
Preliminary Data Collection / Necessary Information to Be Derived from the Intake Interview / Structure of the Intake Interview / Intake Interview with the Family / Intake Interview with the Parents / Intake Interview with the Siblings / Intake Interview with the Identified Child / Feedback and Recommendations Section of the Intake Interview
7. Conceptualization and Treatment Planning
Preparing for Conceptualization: Diagnosis / Conceptualization: Understanding Case Dynamics / Treatment Planning
Part III: TREATMENT
8. A Framework for Child Therapy and Counseling
Goals for the Therapy and Counseling Process / Phases of Child Therapy and Counseling / Catalysts for Change / Challenges to the Therapy or Counseling Process
9. Using Play in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
10. Storytelling in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
11. Mindfulness in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
12. Graphic and Sculpting Art in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
13. Behavioral Techniques in Child Therapy and Counseling
Conceptual Background / Application to Child Therapy and Counseling / Variations on the Technique / Practical Implementation / Case Example
Part IV: TERMINATION
14. Creating Thoughtful Endings
Types of Endings / Natural Termination / Preparation for Natural Termination / Process of Natural Termination / Premature Termination