A Comprehensive Guide to Child Psychotherapy and Counseling (4th Edition)

Description

Rasmussen and Brems compellingly describe applied clinical work with children aged three to twelve. An integrated approach to understanding child psychotherapy prepares the clinician for the profound influence of environmental and cultural factors. Using a biopsychosociocultural model, the authors outline conceptualization and treatment planning for thoughtful intervention. The authors’ methods are practical, grounded in theory, and continually emphasize the child’s perspective. The fifth edition offers structure to beginners and food for thought to seasoned clinicians. By presenting a wide variety of interventions, the authors hope to bring lightness and joy to working with children—and to inspire readers to be creative, kind, compassionate, and nimble.

A Comprehensive Guide to Child Psychotherapy and Counseling (4th Edition) provides a comprehensive, engaging overview of the therapy process. Four parts walk the reader through the natural flow of work with children. Part one addresses crucial preliminary steps—exploration of clinician traits that facilitate or hinder relationships, attention to multicultural counseling, review of developmental stages, examination of the physical environment and materials for child therapy, and consideration of legal/ethical issues. Part two covers assessment and the vital role of the intake interview in discovering the needs of children and their families. A deep understanding of children and how they have experienced the world is a requirement for competent helpers. After gathering essential information, the clinician moves to conceptualization and treatment planning. Part three begins with a general framework for working with children: goals, catalysts for change, and challenges. Five chapters then cover various techniques: play therapy, storytelling, mindfulness interventions, art therapy, and behavioral strategies. Case examples illustrate individualized, mindful treatment of presenting concerns. Part four explores termination. Ending treatment effectively enables continued change, resilience, and growth—and models leave-taking from important relationships.

Key Features

• 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.

Table of Contents

1. Part One: PRELIMINARY ISSUES
   1. Markers of Effective Child Clinicians
   2. Diversity Sensitivity and Competence in Child Therapy and Counseling
   3. A Developmental Context for Child Therapy and Counseling
   4. Environments and Materials for Child Therapy and Counseling
   5. Legal and Ethical Issues in Child Therapy and Counseling
2. Part Two: ASSESSMENT
   1. The Intake Interview
   2. Conceptualization and Treatment Planning
3. Part Three: TREATMENT
   1. A Framework for Child Therapy and Counseling
   2. Using Play in Child Therapy and Counseling
   3. Storytelling in Child Therapy and Counseling
   4. Mindfulness in Child Therapy and Counseling
   5. Graphic and Sculpting Art in Child Therapy and Counseling
   6. Behavioral Techniques in Child Therapy and Counseling
4. Part IV: TERMINATION
   1. Creating Thoughtful Endings

Reviews

“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

“The text is readable and comprehensive without being wordy. Students respond well to it.” – David Rose, Fresno Pacific University