Counselling Children

A Practical Introduction

Kathryn Geldard, Rebecca Yin Foo

• Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd
• Year: 2024
• Print ISBN: 9781529669022, 9781529669039
• eBook ISBN: 9781529680287
• Edition: 6
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Psychotherapy
• Index: Psychology

The definitive guide to the skills, techniques, and concepts used when working with children experiencing emotional challenges. It covers all you need to know about:



·         The child-counsellor relationship

·         Practice frameworks for working effectively

·         Play therapy and the use of different media and activities

·         Building self-esteem and social skills through the use of worksheets

·         The concepts of wellbeing and resilience.



New to this edition:



·         Technology: its influence on children and ways it can be used in counselling

·         Counselling in a post-pandemic world and the role of remote counselling and 'telehealth' 

·         More discussion of issues of diversity, difference, intersectionality, implicit bias, and an inclusive practice

·         Updated case studies to affirm diversity and represent wider populace

·         Expanded and updated end of chapter further resources

·         Updated conclusion (with reflections on the pandemic)

·         Greater focus on inclusive practice and how SPICC model can be applied across various social/cultural groups.



Online resources include digital picture books, worksheets and a list of further reading to support your professional practice and help you extend your learning.

This highly practical guide is a vital resource for counsellors, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses, and teachers working or training to work with children.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Acknowledgements
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Online Resources
• About the Authors
• Introduction to the Sixth Edition
• Part 1 Counselling Children
• 1 Goals for Counselling Children
• 2 The Child–Counsellor Relationship
• 3 Ethical Considerations when Counselling Children
• 4 Attributes of a Counsellor for Children
• Part 2 Practice Frameworks
• 5 Historical Background and Contemporary Ideas about Counselling Children
• 6 The Process of Child Therapy
• 7 The Child’s Internal Processes of Therapeutic Change
• 8 Sequentially Planned Integrative Counselling for Children (the SPICC model)
• 9 Counselling Children in the Context of Family Therapy
• 10 Counselling Children in Groups
• 11 Counselling Children in a Post-Pandemic World
• Part 3 Child Counselling Skills
• 12 Observation
• 13 Active Listening
• 14 Helping the Child to Tell Their Story and Express Emotions
• 15 Understanding Resistance and Transference
• 16 Understanding Self-Concept and Unhelpful Beliefs
• 17 Actively Facilitating Change
• 18 Termination of Counselling
• 19 Skills for Counselling Children in Groups
• Part 4 Play Therapy – Use of Media and Activities
• 20 The Play Therapy Room
• 21 The Evidence-Base for Play Therapy and Counselling Children
• 22 Selecting the Appropriate Media or Activity
• 23 The Use of Miniature Animals
• 24 Sand-Tray Work
• 25 Working with Clay
• 26 Drawing, Painting, Collage, and Construction
• 27 The Imaginary Journey
• 28 Books and Stories
• 29 Puppets and Soft Toys
• 30 Imaginative Pretend Play
• 31 Games
• 32 Technology
• Part 5 The Use of Worksheets
• 33 Building Self-Esteem
• 34 Supporting Social Skills
• 35 Education in Protective Behaviours
• Part 6 In Conclusion
• Worksheets
• Bibliography
• Index