Course Fee: $479 (Canadian currency) includes ebook
This stimulating course is highly practical. It applies counselling theory to a wide range of issues whilst also discussing the challenges and needs associated with each developmental stage. It is designed to expand your counselling tool kit so you develop a wide range of counselling techniques, qualities, skills and activities that are suited to all ages – from toddlers to teenagers.
Specifically, this course will explore the following: an overview of child development and the therapeutic relationship; play therapy and expressive techniques; family issues; abuse, self-harm, suicide and grief and loss; self-esteem, peers pressure, bullying, gender and sexual identity; addictions, eating disorders and ethics in counselling.
There is no prior knowledge or experience required to embark on this certificate course. You are free to commence at a time that suits your schedule – and continue at your pace for a period of six months. Full tutor support is provided for the course.
Students will also receive a copy of the e-book 50 Counselling activities for kids
Note: The Online Counselling College teaches and uses Egan’s The Skilled Helper Model.
SYLLABUS
Module 1: An Overview of Child Development and the Therapeutic Relationship
Topics Studied
• Developmental characteristics from infancy to adulthood
• Attachment theory
• The qualities and characteristics of secure attachments
• The qualities and characteristics of anxious resistant/ ambivalent attachments
• The qualities and characteristics of avoidant attachments
• Establishing a therapeutic relationship with young clients
• Therapeutic activities for children and teenagers
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Classify developmental traits and characteristics.
• Apply attachment theory.
• Recommend counselling activities that are appropriate for using with children and youth.
Module 2: Play Therapy and Expressive Techniques
Topics Studied
• The theory behind play therapy
• Play therapy techniques and skills
• Popular techniques, strategies and skills for older children
• Adolescents and group work
• Developing a feelings vocabulary
• Therapeutic activities for children and teenagers
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe play therapy techniques and skills.
• Explain how to use REBT in their work with older children.
• Select therapeutic activities that are useful when working with children and youth.
Module 3: Family Issues
Topics Studied
• The need to be loved unconditionally and to feel you belong in the family
• The five love languages of children and adolescents
• The impact of separation and divorce
• Issues related to being raised in a single-parent family
• Issues related to being raised in a blended family
• Teaching young people good communication skills
• Therapeutic activities for children and youth
• Counsellor self-awareness: Exploring family influences
• A look at adoption
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe the five love languages.
• Discuss the challenges faced by children in single parent families.
• Discuss the challenges faced by children confront in blended families.
Module 4: Grief & Loss, Abuse, Self-Harm and Suicide
Topics Studied
• Counselling grieving children and youth
• Counselling young people who have been abused (either neglect or physical, emotional or sexual abuse)
• Counselling young people who self-harm
• Understanding suicide and working with suicidal clients
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Discuss interventions designed to support young people who have been bereaved.
• Describe the effects of abuse on young people.
• Analyse the most effective ways of supporting young people who self harm.
Module 5: Self-Esteem, Peer Pressure, Bullying, Gender and Sexual Identity
Topics Studied
• Developing a healthy self-esteem
• Special educational needs and self-esteem
• Positive and negative peer pressure
• Peer pressure and risk taking behaviour
• Peer pressure role plays
• Bullying
• Cyberbulling
• Gender and sexual identity
• What the statistics show
• Practicing your counselling skills
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Discuss the development of self-esteem.
• Suggest ways of dealing with peer pressure.
• Propose ways of dealing with bullying.
Module 6: Eating Disorders and Substance Related Disorders
Topics Studied
• Understanding and diagnosing addictions
• Alcohol addiction
• Drug addiction
• Sexual addiction
• Internet addiction
• Diagnosing an addiction
• Drug addiction
• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder
• Ethical framework for good practice in counselling
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Discuss anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
• List the key factors that make cyber-sex appealing.
• Critique what is meant by a good standard of practice and care in counselling.
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Vernon, A., & Schimmel, C.J. (2018). Counseling children and adolescents (5th Ed.). San Diego, CA: Cognella Academic Publishing.