FULLY ACCREDITED : Counselling young people

About FULLY ACCREDITED : Counselling young people

February 2025

50 counselling skills applied

Why have a separate course about counselling young people? What makes this age group so special?

Counselling young people presents unique challenges and opportunities, distinguishing it significantly from adult counselling. Here are some of the key aspects that make it special: When counselling the young we have to consider: a.

Developmental considerations

Young people are in a critical phase of physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Counsellors need to have a deep understanding of these developmental stages to effectively address the specific needs and behaviours of children and adolescents. What works for an adult might not be so effective for younger children. Shorter attention spans. Different ways of understanding the world. b.

Communication Styles

Think of the language of the young – the very young. Counsellors might use more playful language, metaphors, and stories to engage them. Techniques such as art, play therapy, and games can be effective in helping young people express themselves, as they may not always have the vocabulary or emotional insight to articulate their feelings directly. c.

Building Trust

Young people may distrust adults; be wary of opening up. A counsellor needs to invest time in building rapport and creating a safe, non-judgmental space where the young person feels valued and understood. d.

Involving Key Stakeholders

It’s not just the young person who is being counselled. Adults including parents, guardians, schools, and other stakeholders in the child’s life will be involved. e.

Ethical and Legal Considerations

Working with young people involves navigating complex ethical and legal considerations, such as confidentiality and the child’s capacity to give informed consent. Counsellors need to balance respecting the young client’s privacy with the need to ensure their safety and comply with legal obligations to report certain issues. f.

Impact of Technology

Today’s young people are digital natives, and technology plays a huge role in their lives. This can impact counselling in various ways, from the issues that young people bring to sessions (like cyberbullying) to the tools counsellors use to engage them (like online counselling methods).

g. Resilience and Change

Young people often have tremendous capacity for change and resilience. Counselling can play a pivotal role in helping them realize and harness this potential, providing them with coping mechanisms and problem-solving skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.

So, counselling is ‘different’.

But how does this affect the design of the course.

One answer:

aim for a high level of student involvement! That’s why this course – seemingly short – includes Case Studies for students to practice what they have been learning. If you just want to watch videos and not DO anything, then this is not the course for you. But if you want to be fully involved, do homework and actively engage in discussions then you will be welcomed – both by the Instructor and also other students!

Just to be sure: MAKE SURE YOU WATCH THE PREVIEW VIDEOS BEFORE ENROLLING!