Psychotherapy With Children and Adolescents

Approximately 1 in 5 children and adolescents have a mental health disorder, which may lead to issues at home, school, and other areas of their lives (Prout & Fedewa, 2015). When working with this population, it is important to recognize that children and adolescents are not “mini adults” and should not be treated as such. Psychotherapy with these clients is often more complex than psychotherapy with the general adult population, particularly in terms of communication. As a result, strong therapeutic relationships are essential to success.

This week, as you explore psychotherapy with children and adolescents, you assess clients presenting with disruptive behaviors. You also examine therapies for treating these clients and consider potential outcomes. Finally, you develop diagnoses for clients receiving psychotherapy and consider legal and ethical implications of counseling these clients.

Photo Credit: [dolgachov]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

 

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

• Chapter      17, “Psychotherapy With Children” (pp. 597–624)

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Note: You will access this text from the Walden Library databases.

Bass, C., van Nevel, J., & Swart, J. (2014). A comparison between dialectical behavior therapy, mode deactivation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of adolescents. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 9(2), 4–8. doi:10.1037/h0100991

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Koocher, G. P. (2003). Ethical issues in psychotherapy with adolescents. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 59(11), 1247–1256. PMID:14566959

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

McLeod, B. D., Jensen-Doss, A., Tully, C. B., Southam-Gerow, M. A., Weisz, J. R., & Kendall, P. C. (2016). The role of setting versus treatment type in alliance within youth therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 84(5), 453–464. doi:10.1037/ccp0000081

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Zilberstein, K. (2014). The use and limitations of attachment theory in child psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, 51(1), 93–103. doi:10.1037/a0030930

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Disruptive behaviors – Part 1 [Multimedia file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013a). Disruptive behaviors – Part 2 [Multimedia file]. Baltimore, MD: Author. 

Walker, R. (n.d.). Making child therapy work [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Psychotherapy.net.

Note: You will access this media from the Walden Library databases. The approximate length of this media piece is 95 minutes.

Optional Resources

Bruce, T., & Jongsma, A. (2010a). Evidence-based treatment planning for disruptive child and adolescent beh