Counselling Children and Young Adults

PROPOSED PARTICIPANTS
Many professionals want to work with children and young people but lack the skills and qualifications needed to achieve an effective working relationship. This course has been designed for professionals with an interest in counselling children and young people and increasing their skills and knowledge of working and communicating with children and young people in a counselling context. This course is specifically for Counsellors and Psychotherapists who want to gain a qualification in working with children and young adults.

OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE SYLABUS
Developing a Working Alliance with Group Members
Producing a Professional Framework
Aims and Objectives
Group Agreement for the Training Contract
Criteria for Assignments
Issues related to Counselling Children and Young Adults.
Goals for Counselling Children
The Counselling Relationship

The Child and Counsellor Relationship
The Counselling Contract
Developing a Working Alliance with the Child
Working Effectively with Children
Skills Development
Working with Children and the Law
Ethical Consideration
Theoretical Perspectives
Inviting the Child to tell their Story
Integrating Counselling Theory

Working Creatively with Children
Sand Tray
Play Therapy
Art Work
Group Work with Children & Adults
The Stages of Loss and Bereavement
Support for the Bereaved Child
Dealing With Inappropriate Behaviour
Challenging Self Destructive beliefs

Working Effectively with Adolescents
Identity and Self-esteem
Working with Anger
Safe Practice
Drug Abuse
Alcohol Abuse
Issues Related to Bereavement and Loss
Working with the Bereaved Child
Working with Bereaved Adult

The Process of Child Therapy
The Process With Young Adults
The Counselling Process
Dealing With Resistance and Transference
Actively Facilitating Change
Termination of Counselling
Professional Practice
Framework for Assessments (DSMIV)
Assessing Stress, Depression and Anxiety
Effective Endings

Submission of Coursework
Submission of Written Project
Submission of Personal and Professional Development Learning Journal

INFORMATION ON WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS AND COURSE WORK
Each participant is required to produce a 5,000 word essay on Counselling Children and Young People. The title is to be agreed between participants and Course Tutor. Participants will be given advice, support and guidance on the Written Project. Each participant is required to produce a Personal and Professional Development Learning Journal. This is to enable participants to reflect upon the learning process of each module. The participants are required to complete one entry per module. Participants will be provided with criteria for the Learning Journal. The above Course Syllabus will be reflected upon during the course. The aim of the course is to obtain 100% attendance. Participants will be responsible for their own learning and will be expected to complete the required Assignments by the final module which is Weekend 5.

WHO ARE THE COURSE FACILITATORS
The Course Facilitators are Pat Shea-Halson and Jackie Raven. Pat has a proven record in achieving high levels of success working with children. She works as an integrative Psychotherapist and has a lot of experience working with children and young adults, she designed, developed and facilitated the successful NEW LEAF PROGRAMME ©. Pat has many years experience of facilitating courses, she is the Director of the Centre for Personal Development and Lectures in Counselling & Psychotherapy. She creates a relaxed atmosphere, and through her warm, friendly approach, encourages group participation and interaction. Jackie Raven works as a Psychotherapist. She also Lectures in Counselling & Psychotherapy. She has a lot of experience working as a Child and Family Therapist. She has a warm, friendly approach to teaching and always makes the sessions informative and enjoyable. She is an excellent facilitator and has extensive experience in effective communication. Pat and Jackie’s teaching style has been described as dynamic.

ASSIGNMENTS
Participants will be assessed during the course. Participants will be given a marking sheet with the Assignment Criteria for each Assignment. The Course Tutor will give participants the information needed to complete the course work. Additional support will be provided to help participants organize and structure their course work.

INFORMATION ON ASSIGNMENTS REFERRED
If the participant is referred on an Assignment, they will be given written feedback on the marking sheet, stating the reasons why the Assignment has been referred. The participant will then be given a submission date to re-submit the Assignment. We will endeavour to support participants with their written work and Assignments.

STUDENTS LEARNING JOURNAL
Participants are requested to keep a Personal and Professional Development Learning Journal. During the course participants will write in the Journal reflecting upon their thoughts and feelings during each module. This will give participants an opportunity to look at the ways in which they are reflecting upon their self-awareness and personal growth and development. The Learning Journal will also reflect the learning process and acknowledge the participant’s integration of the skills learnt during the course.

MONITORING LEARNING OBJECTIVES IN JOURNAL
Participants will also identify learning objective in their Journal and monitor the ways in which they achieve their learning outcomes during the course. They will also document the ways in which they are applying their skills, and developing their self-awareness. The Journal will also assist with their professional development.

REVIEW PARTNERS
Participants will have a Review Partner; this is similar to a Study Buddy and part of the course criteria. They are required to meet on a monthly basis. The aim of the Review Partner is to enable them to review the course, their aims, objectives, and skills, together in a supportive and encouraging way.

COURSE ACCREDITATION
The Course is accredited with the (AAMCC) the Association for Accrediting and Moderating Counselling Courses. The External Examiner will evaluate and moderate the course work to ensure it meets the required standard.

MODERATION OF COURSE
The date for the Examination and Moderation will be given to students to submit work. All of the course work needs to be submitted on this date. The Course Examiner will provide a Written Report which will be given to the participants to keep in their Personal and Professional Record of Achievement. At the end of the course, all participants will have organised and structured a Personal and Professional Record of Achievement Portfolio, with the help of the Course Tutors.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR LEARNING
Although responsibility for learning lies with the individual, continuous reflection upon learning experiences will be encouraged through the use of the Learning Journal. The Centre for Personal Development will endeavour to develop an atmosphere where each person feels secure enough to engage in learning experiences, which are both personally and professionally challenging and meaningful.

PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
The course is designed to encourage personal growth and self-awareness through its experiential approach; and through personal development exercises in small groups, within the large group and one-to-one exercises.

HOME STUDY
During the course home study and reading will form an important part of the course. Participant needs to put at least 6 hours a week aside for home study. The Course Tutors will also provide articles to read and suggest course books and other articles to be obtained by the participants.

WHAT ARE YOU AWARDED AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
On completion of course and for fulfilling the course criteria participants will be presented with the following Award: Diploma in Counselling Children and Young Adults. This Diploma is accredited by (AAMCC) Association for Accrediting and Moderating Counselling Courses.