Foundational Knowledge and Skills for Child and Adolescent Counselors
From developmental considerations to trauma-informed care, group work, play therapy, collaboration with families and schools, and ethical documentation practices, this series prepares counselors to confidently and competently support youth across a range of clinical, school and community settings. Emphasizing integrative, systemic and culturally responsive approaches grounded in current research and best practices, this series will strengthen your knowledge and skills as a child and adolescent counselor.
Series Outline
Session 1
Child and Adolescent Development: Key Considerations for Counselors
Understanding development is key for client conceptualization, assessment, treatment planning, working with caregivers and building a deeper understanding of child and adolescent clients. In this presentation, review key concepts in development for children and adolescents from infants to young adults
Presenter: Katherine E. Purswell, PhD, LPC-S, RPT
Session 2
Cultural Humility in Play Therapy: Prism of Isms
Focusing on the three pillars, cultural humility, cultural comfort, and cultural opportunities, the presentation explores how therapists can cultivate more attuned, responsive relationships with diverse child clients and their families.
Presenter: Yumiko (Yumi) Ogawa, PhD, LPC, ACS
Session 3
Trauma-Informed Counseling with Children and Adolescents
Trauma can significantly affect a child’s development and overall mental well-being. In this session, explore the complexities of trauma and strategies to support children and adolescents.
Presenters: LaKaavia Taylor, PhD, LPC-S, NCC
Session 4
Nuts and Bolts of Group Work with Children and Adolescents
Group therapy is a developmentally appropriate modality for working with children and adolescents experiencing various social, emotional, and behavioral struggles. This beginner-level session aims to provide fundamental information and considerations to support clinicians’ group work with child and adolescent clients.
Presenter: Yi-Ju Cheng, PhD, LPC, NCC
Session 5
Understanding Children and Youth Within the School Context: Partnering with Families, Schools and Educational Systems
School is a primary environment for children and youth and impacts many aspects of their development and well-being. Child and adolescent counselors need to understand their clients’ school context and experiences to inform treatment planning and provide effective consultation, collaboration and advocacy within school settings.
Presenter: Kimberly Jayne, PhD, LPC, LMHC
Session 6
Parents as Partners: Effective Parent Consultations in Child Counseling
Child counselors often cite working with parents or guardians as the most challenging aspect of counseling with children. In this session, earn how to align with parents to engage them in their child’s counseling, facilitate parent consultations, and what attitudes and strategies are used with parents to benefit their children.
Presenter: Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, NCC
Session 7
Documentation and Ethical Issues in Working with Minors
This session will focus on unique ethical aspects in working with minors. Learn about the importance of competence, issues around dual relationships regarding minors as well as confidentiality with minors.
Presenter: Mary Morrison Bennett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S
Session 8
Child and Adolescent Best Practices: Enhancing Effectiveness and Ethical Competence
This session traces the history and mission of ACAC, outlines the critical needs in child and adolescent counseling, and highlights evolving considerations for providing developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and ethically sound care.
Presenters: Rachel Jacoby, PhD, LPCC-S (OH), NCC and Cory Clark, PhD, LCMHC (NC), NCC
Registration
Register for access to the full course. Sessions cannot be purchased separately.
- ACA Members - $129
- Nonmembers - $249
Not an ACA member? Join or renew today to save and for more exclusive access to content, community and unparalleled resources.
Certificate and CEs
Participants can earn up to 12.25 CE credit hours upon completion of this series. Participants who complete all eight sessions will earn the ACA Certificate in Foundations of Child and Adolescent Counseling, demonstrating your commitment to excellence in youth mental health.
Questions?
2461 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 300, Alexandria, Va. 22314 | 800-347-6647 | (fax) 800-473-2329
My ACA Join Now Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use © All Rights Reserved.