Children & Adolescents

Addressing the Mental Health of Children and Youth

The ACA president elaborates on her presidential initiative to improve the mental health of children and youth.

Adoption Complexities

Counselors can help transracial and transnational adoptees heal the wounds from separation and being raised in an all-white world.

‘Child abuse in disguise’: The impact of parental alienation on families

Parental alienation can be hard to notice much less treat, but the long-term effects can be devastating for the children and targeted parent.

Helping youth who self-harm

As increasing numbers of youth turn to self-injury, counselors can offer empathy while guiding young clients to better tolerate their emotions and find healthier ways to cope.

De-escalating conflict between parents and teens

Friction between parents and teenage children is an inevitable part of adolescent development, but often the parents need as much — if not more — work in counseling as the teen to build the skills needed to navigate conflict.

The emotional and social health needs of Gen Z

Uncertainty and stress have left Generation Z feeling anxious, depressed and isolated and in desperate need of skills that counseling can provide.

Internet gaming disorder: A real mental health issue on the rise in adolescents and young adults

Using games as a coping strategy for other underlying issues can lead to an addiction, as real life is replaced with a virtual and more favorable one.

Engaging avoidant teens

By using practical, attachment-informed approaches, counselors can build effective therapeutic alliances with youth frequently dismissed as being ‘resistant.’

Interventions for attachment and traumatic stress issues in young children

With their emphasis on human development, prevention, ecosystems and wellness, counselors are well-positioned to address the unique service needs of the pediatric population.

The ‘storm and stress’ of adolescence and young adulthood

For much of human history, the idea of adolescence being a distinct life stage was nonexistent.

The therapy behind play therapy

Ashley Wroton, a licensed professional counselor (LPC), says parents of her young clients have told her that pediatricians sometimes make comments suggesting that they try “real” therapy with their child rather than play therapy.

Addressing children’s curiosity of private parts

When caregivers observe or learn about their child’s play involving private parts and respond with alarm, sternness, isolation of the child or avoidance of the topic, the caregiver may inadvertently be shaming the child.

The connection between ADHD, speech delays, motor skill delays, sensory processing disorders and sleep issues

What is the connection between ADHD and these other deficits?

Involving parents in child-centered play therapy

When young children, ages 2 to 9, are experiencing emotional and behavioral problems, the usefulness of talk therapy is limited because they often cannot communicate effectively using words.