Working Therapeutically with Children

Have you ever considered counselling children and adolescents? Perhaps you're even working with children at the moment, and want to learn more about their behaviour and psychology? Or maybe you've encountered some of the issues faced by children, such as abuse, bullying, grief or bereavement, and simply want to help.

If any of the above is true, this is definitely the course for you! It provides unique insight into the psychology and behaviour of children and adolescents, and covers child development, child counselling skills and behavioural psychology, in addition to dealing with those issues mentioned above. It will provide you with a solid understanding of how to counsel children and young people.

Our acclaimed course "Working Therapeutically with Children" enables anybody who has an interest in working in the childcare sector as a counsellor to gain a formal professional qualification that is recognised throughout the industry.

Course Structure

Whether you’re a parent wanting to gain more understanding of your child's psychological development needs, a social worker, seeking specific counselling training to further their expertise in dealing with family situations involving children, or a professional educator needing to broaden knowledge of their charges' psychology, this is the course for you.

Your study begins with a detailed investigation of the stages of growth and development, and the factors affecting them, both positive and negative. Childhood is all about growth, and there are key transitional stages, some of which are triggered by events such as starting education, beginning to forge relationships outside the family, moving to a new school and passing through puberty. All of these, and more, are explored in detail.

Unfortunately, the incidence of family problems, from "routine" domestic issues such as the breakdown of parents' marriage, to the complexities of various forms of abuse, is an ever-present and increasing issue in society. These aspects are also considered in some detail on the course.

Behavioural issues, child protection (including bullying), and the subject of mental health, are given significant emphasis, and the course helps to clarify the role and function of therapeutic services and intervention. Throughout the entire course, the skills needed by counsellors and other professionals are explored and fully explained to give you the knowledge and confidence to begin working in the sector. Full details of the individual study units can be seen by clicking on the "Course Outline" tab above.

Course Materials

One of the key benefits of studying with My Distance Learning College is that, unlike other distance learning providers, we deliver the entire package of course materials in a single dispatch. This enables our students to get a real feel for the overall structure and content of the course, and chart their progress much more effectively. The modular method of delivery favoured by other providers fragments the learning process and actively prevents students from moving faster through sections they are more confident with, or taking more time over the deeper concepts that require more thought and comprehension.

Level 4 NCFE Accredited Qualification

The course is accredited by NCFE, who are an awarding body regulated by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, The Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales, and the Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

The course meets the Level 4 NCFE criteria, but only needs around 100 study hours over a 12 month period, which is achievable by even the busiest professional. It could probably be squeezed in to the schedule of a full-time homemaker or single parent with a little reorganisation. However, it should be borne in mind that a Level 4 student must be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the subject matter studied, so simple "one sentence answers" are unlikely to contribute significantly towards successful qualification. Previous counselling experience is not essential.

No Final Exam . . .

If the prospect of exams frightens the life out of you, there is even more good news. There is no final exam!

The low price of the course includes dedicated tutor support, regular critique and feedback, and all assignments are marked by one of our professional tutors. You can even pay by instalments if funds are tight.