CPD Certificate in Working with Children and Adolescents (Level 8 Module)

Programme Content

The purpose of this module is to facilitate learners in expanding into work with more complex clinical presentation and unfamiliar clients. In particular, this module will assist learners in gaining knowledge, skills and competencies in work with children and adolescents.

Course Content

Work with younger clients is an area of growth. This module aims to provide learners with knowledge, skills and competencies related to:

• Theoretical models for work with children and adolescents i.e., Family Therapy, the SPICC Model, CBT, Play Therapy;
• Clinical interventions related to assessment i.e. Genograms, CORE-YP, Beck Youth Inventories, use of miniatures and sand tray work;
• Counselling skills for work with children and adolescents;
• Ethical considerations in work with minors, including child protection and suicide prevention;
• Developmental psychology as it applies to clinical work with under eighteens;
• The therapeutic relationship in child therapy;
• The goals of child therapy (client goals, parental goals, therapist goals);
• Therapist self-care;
• Trauma work with children and adolescents; and
• Grief, loss and bereavement with children and adolescents.

Written Assignment

Option A) Theoretical Essay

Learners are required to present a 2,500-word assignment evaluating a chosen approach to working with children and adolescents. Learners will demonstrate ability to evaluate a chosen model, articulating assessment approaches used and demonstrating detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of the therapeutic relationship as it applies to work with minors. Learners will incorporate reflections on how developmental psychology applies to child therapy and to consider ethical considerations that emerge in work with children and adolescents.

Option B) Case Based Essay

Learners are required to present a 2,500-word case-based essay in which they present clinical work with a client. The essay should demonstrate use of and evaluation of a chosen model. Assessment approaches that were used will be articulated and evaluated and the learner will showcase their ability to apply theoretical and practical knowledge of the therapeutic relationship as it applies to their work with the child in question. Developmental and ethical considerations that emerged in the work will be presented and considered.