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Enter the fascinating world

of CYP counselling

Counselling Children & Young People

6 Day Foundation Programme

Trainer

Sarah Barker is an MBACP registered counsellor working with children and young people within school settings and other services. She is also the Children’s Services Manager at The Counselling & Family Centre and has over 20 years’ experience working in Human Resources.

 

Delivery

This course is combines the learning of theory and practice through a mix of direct teaching delivery, group discussions and experiential exercises such as role play / skill practice sessions. The course is delivered entirely face-to-face.

 

Pre Requisite

Recognised Counselling Qualification

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Course Details

The course content outline is presented below. Please note the day structure/content may vary slightly depending on needs of attendees and flow of the days

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Day 1

Understanding the differences in CYP work to adult work and child development theory

​Aims

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  1. Understand the differences in children’s work to adults work

  2. Explore the differences in working with young children and adolescents

  3. Know the competencies required in counselling children and young people

  4. Understand the history of child development

​Topic

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  • BACP competency framework for working with Children and Young People

  • Historical context and development of theoretical approaches

Day 2

Attachment theory, assessments and introduction to creative media

​Aims

​

  1. To understand attachment styles

  2. To reflect on own self and attachment

  3. To understand how to work with attachment when working with CYP clients

  4. To understand a best practice approach to beginning the work and assessing the needs of the CYP client

  5. To explore creative ways of working with CYP clients including online

​Topic

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  • ​Attachment theory

  • Self-reflection

  • Approach to assessment

  • Use of assessment tools

  • Creative media, the benefits and how to integrate into the therapy

Day 3

Approach to working with grieving and traumatised children and adolescents

​Aims

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  1. To be able to use a specific model to work safely with traumatised and grieving children and young people

  2. To understand and be able to apply the key principles and concepts of the model

​Topic

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  • Working safely

  • Non-language activities

  • Using trauma specific questions

  • Using curiosity

  • Use of reframing

  • Building resilience and the Circle of Courage

Day 4

Our adolescent selves, safeguarding/ ethical practice, common issues and working in an organisational context and skills practice  

​Aims

​

  1. Be able to connect with your inner adolescent self 

  2. Reflect on how your own experiences in childhood may impact your work with CYP clients 

  3. Be clear and confident in making appropriate safeguarding referrals  

  4. To have explored common presenting issues in CYP work 

  5. To understand how to work in schools 

  6. Be ready to hold counselling sessions with CYP clients 

​Topic

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  • Group reflections on adolescence 

  • Self-reflection 

  • Safeguarding and ethical practice 

  • Common presenting themes e.g. anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, bullying, eating disorders, identity, trauma / abuse 

  • Counselling in schools 

  • Skills practice 

Day 5

Creative approaches to use when working with children and young people 

​Aims

​

  1. To be able to use creative techniques in CYP work

​Topic

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  • Drawing & Talking 

  • Mood Board 

  • Working creatively online 

Day 6

Creative approaches to use when working with children and young people

​Aims

​

  1. To be able to use creative techniques in CYP work

​Topic

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  • Sand Tray Therapy 

  • Use of Miniatures 

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