Child and
   Adolescent Counselling

... research resources for counselling students

Web Destinations

Key Sites for Practitioners

Administration for Children and Families
The Administration for Children and Families is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services. The site relates news items, information about the ACF budget and structure, and a listing of ACF programs and websites. There are also statistics on child abuse and neglect and directions to important government agencies.
http://www.acf.dhhs.gov

ADOL Home Page
Indiana University's online directory of adolescent issues provides web resources for concerns such as conflict and violence, mental health, and health risks among adolescents. Teens can access help with homework, games, pen pals, and sports information. There are also a number of counselor resources with links for professionals.
http://www.education.indiana.edu/cas/adol/adol.html

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
The academy website provides information to assist in treating mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders among children and adolescents. This site allows free distribution of factual information designed to educate parents, families, and professionals on mental illness in the hopes of enlightening people about these illnesses. It emphasizes early identification and the need for continued scientifically based research. Facts for Families, 75 fact sheets, are provided on various mental illnesses.
http://www.aacap.org/

American School Counselor Association
ASCA is a division of the American Counseling Association. Their website has excellent links to child counseling sites.
http://www.schoolcounselor.org

Child Welfare League of America
Aimed at educating people on preventing child abuse, protecting children, and child advocacy. Topics addressed range from advocacy, programs, helping kids link, publications, consultations and trainings, and much more. In conjunction with the state child welfare agencies, CWLA presents the first comprehensive, interactive child welfare database: The National Data Analysis System (NDAS), geared to utilize technology to promote research, policy and application, and implementation of current practices.
http://www.cwla.org

Children's Research Net
This nonprofit organization hosts an international forum in English and Japanese that reports on research on children's issues, holds a national symposium, and collects web destinations about children and adolescents. The focus is on research dissemination.
http://www.crn.or.jp

CYFERNet (Children Youth and Family Education and Research Network) Gopher
CYFERNet was created to be a practical research-based information site focusing on children, youth, and families. Successful programs are described, research reports are presented, funding resources are given, and evaluation tools are discussed. Project areas include childcare, health, family resiliency, and literacy in science and technology.
http://www.cyfernet.org

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
The Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is an organization that addresses the problems faced by children and families dealing with childhood emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. The site is a source for legislative updates, information on managed care issues in mental health, and organizational and membership information, as well as links for families.
http://www.ffcmh.org

National Network for Youth
The National Network for Youth is made up of more than 400 agencies devoted to providing information to help make a difference in the lives of young people and the communities in which they live. Online applications can be made for subscriptions dealing with current youth legislation and funding information. This youth advocacy site includes information on community youth development, health issues, and leadership.
http://www.nn4youth.org

Ivillage —Children's Mental Health Issues
This children's issues page contains links to other sites, articles, and books on child mental health. There are a number of excellent articles for parents on subjects ranging from bedwetting to dealing with adolescents, and a message board.
http://www.ivillage.com/topics/parenting/0,,166188,00.html

Partnerships Against Violence Network
Pavnet Online is the online creation of the Partnerships Against Violence Network. It is a "virtual library" about violence and at-risk youth. Information is drawn from seven different federal agencies.
http://www.pavnet.org

UNICEF: The State of the World's Children 2000
Leadership in the best interests of the child. Designed to catalyze the world to get involved with human rights and civil rights at the international level on behalf of the children.
http://www.unicef.org/sowc00/

Key Sites for Client Information

Childcare Online
While this site is primarily aimed at helping people deal with childcare arrangements, there is an excellent set of links to childcare, health education and parenting organizations in the United States. In addition, there are forums, a newsletter, suggestions about counseling, and a library and a bookshelf. http://childcare.net/

Child.Net
The Child.net page is a link page provided by the Streetcats Foundation and the National Children's Coalition. There are links intended for kids, for teens, for parents, for teachers, and even for college students. There are also links to shopping and product sites.
http://www.child.net

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders
CHADD is a national organization that represents children and adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The site provides facts, news releases, membership information, and legislative information. Also available is an online magazine, the CHADD store, and a discussion on school discipline, as well as relevant links.
http://www.chadd.org

Gov Teen & Puberty 101
This is an enjoyable and interesting site for children from 8 to 18. It addresses adolescent issues from a humorous perspective. Some of the categories include arts, comics, and games. Serious information underlies the fun. A chat room is available. There are also links to related pages.
http://www.govteen.com

I*Earn International Education and Resource Network —Making a World of Difference for Youth in Environment
This site was created to empower youth to get involved with projects that make a significant contribution to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. Students can learn about ways to promote change through science, the arts, and social studies. There is an array of links to choose from that point to conferences, updates, books, videos, articles, a database, newsletters, and publications. All of these serve to help guide and educate kids on how to make a difference and answer the questions of how, why, where, and when to act.
http://www.iearn.org/

Keep Kids Healthy
Keep Kids Healthy is a pediatrician's guide to your children's health and safety. It includes a variety of helpful resources on many topics related to physical and mental health, safety, first aid, and wellness. You can subscribe to get a free customized newsletter for your child. There are lots of links, and you can even get coupons and free "stuff." This site has something for all ages from newborn through adolescents.
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com

KidsPeace
KidsPeace, a website for the National Center for Kids Overcoming Crisis, provides a comprehensive index of child-related subjects. The extensive index of the Healing Magazine covers everything from play therapy and adoption to ADD and eating disorders. Also included is a Family Interactive section, information on the KidsPeace Job Center, and information about the Salk Center.
http://www.kidspeace.org

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
The center focuses on providing information concerning children (from birth to age 22) who live with disabilities. The site also functions as a referral center. There are state resource sheets, "news you can use," publications, and event posters. This is a bilingual site. Questions can be received and answered in Spanish. Publications are also available in Spanish.
http://www.nichcy.org

ParentsPlace
The first parenting community on the Web. Created by two stay-at-home parents who believe parents are the best resource for other parents.
http://www.eduplace.com/parents/

Pediatric Psychiatry Pamphlets
These pamphlets describe the diagnosis and treatment of common child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, including ADHD conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's and Tic disorders, and learning disabilities. A pediatric psychiatrist in Western Canada writes them for patients and caregivers.
http://www.klis.com/chandler/

The Real Game
The Real Game site contains six programs of game playing aimed at the development of age appropriate life skills. Games may be played online or ordered from the Real Game Store.
http://www.realgame.com

Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health
The Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health was established at Portland State University, Portland, Oregon in 1984. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The goal of the center is to improve services to families whose children have mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders through research and training programs.
http://www.rtc.pdx.edu/

Youth Advocate Program International
This site is cutting edge in helping teens understand and be able to make informed and responsible decisions about sex. An extensive fact sheet list is made available with topics ranging from child bearing and rearing, contraception, sociological and psychological factors, HIV/AIDS, child sexual abuse, parent–child communication, development, program surveys, and much more. A chat room is set up for teens to openly ask questions on sex and related issues. A feedback section is there for timely responses. A search engine is available, and updates on the newest articles and information round out this site. The site is under renovation and will be updated soon.
http://www.yapi.org/

Youth Service, Youth Resources and Programs, Family Services, and Resource Directory
An informative directory geared for parents and families to locate and utilize local and nationwide services. Youth tree forums with other teens, parents, and professionals are used to spark discussions on a wide range of teen-related issues. A marketplace directory is provided to find journals, software, videos, books, workshops, professional services, and more. Kids can even create their own free home page.
http://www.uticapubliclibrary.org/non-profit/childyouth.html

Professional Development

Professional Organizations

American School Counselor Association
This is the only counseling organization that focuses on children and adolescents exclusively. Its major focus is on counseling children and adolescents within the public school setting.

American School Counselor Association
801 North Fairfax Street Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
Telephone: Toll-free: (800) 306-4722
Fax: (703) 683-1619
http://www.uticapubliclibrary.org/non-profit/childyouth.html

Annotated Bibliography

Foundational Works

Axline, V. (1947). Play therapy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Perhaps the first book on play therapy from other than a psychodynamic viewpoint. Influenced by Rogers, Axline later became interested in nondirective play therapy. Her early ideas are contained here. Dreikurs, R., Zuckerman, L., & Stoltz, V. (1991). Children: The challenge. New York: Plume. Dreikurs' classic work on dealing with children was written as a self-help book for parents. It remains one of the best books on the Adlerian viewpoint about raising children, including the use of logical and natural consequences. From the Adlerian perspective, children are happier and healthier when they are required to live in a responsible manner.

Erikson, E. (1968). Identity, youth and crisis. New York: Norton.
Erikson elaborates on his famous theory of human development, positing eight stages of human development, each with a particular psychosocial crisis. In this book, he focuses on the identity crisis as a key hurdle to achieving effective adult functioning.

Freud, A. (1998). Normality and pathology in childhood. New York: International Universities Press. (Originally published, 1966).
Anna Freud's previous works focused on the effects of war and the legal system on children. Those writings had been important in the early development of the field of child psychotherapy. Normality and Pathology in Childhood represents the clearest presentation of the psychoanalytic view of child development and the practice of psychoanalysis with children.

Klein, M. (1984). Narrative of a child analysis (The writings of Melanie Klein). New York: Free Press.
This is a compilation of Melanie Klein's work on child psychoanalysis. Klein's ideas had great impact on present methods of childcare and parenting. Most of what is included here was developed after World War I when she began to develop methods of play therapy, showing that how children play with toys reveals infantile fantasies and anxieties. Her emphasis has been on relieving children of anxiety and guilt by allowing them to transfer their aggressive and Oedipal feelings onto the therapist.

Moustakas, C. (1992). Psychotherapy with children: The living relationship. Greeley, CO: Carron. (Originally published, 1959).
Moustakas' timeless classic highlights the nature of the therapeutic environment necessary for change in children. He elucidates the necessary ingredients in the relationship between child and therapist, as well as highlighting important distinctions in working with different kinds of children. He also includes several chapters on working with parents and the school. Several case studies are included.

Key Current Works

Bowman, R. P. (1995). Using metaphors as tools for counseling children. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 29, 206-217.
Bowman's work is a guide to using metaphorical language to enhance communication with children.

Erdman, P., & Lampe, R. (1996). Adapting basic skills to counsel children. Journal of Counseling and Development, 74, 374-377.
Basic skills training in counselor education normally focuses on adult clients. This article describes how counselors can modify their approach with children. The article focuses on four arenas: facilitative environment, facilitative attitude, building trust, and using appropriate questions.

Hasselt, V. B., & Hersen, M. (Eds.). (1998). Handbook of psychological treatment protocols for children and adolescents.
Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Although it is billed as a handbook, the articles contain reviews of recent literature on the treatment of specific disorders of childhood and adolescence. In addition, there are chapters dealing with specific kinds of treatment such as parent training and social skills training.

Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). New York: Brunner-Routledge.
In his sensitive and comprehensive text on play therapy, Dr. Landreth explores the meaning of play, the history and development of play therapy, and his view of children, and provides a thorough description of key concepts, objectives, processes, and issues involved in child-centered play therapy. A comprehensive bibliography is included.

Oaklander, V. (1988). Windows to our children: A gestalt therapy approach to children and adolescents (3rd ed.). Highland, NY: Gestalt Journal Press. (Originally published, 1969).
Counselors and psychologists have used Windows to Our Children since its publication in 1969. It includes examples of therapy sessions with children and adolescents and offers a wealth of examples of the use of therapeutic techniques such as expression through art, clay, poetry, story telling, sand tray, music, and puppets with gestalt therapy theory, practice, and technique as the underlying framework. A major section, "Specific Behavior Problems," explores aggression, anger, the hyperactive child, the withdrawn child, fears, specific stress conditions, traumatic experiences, physical symptoms, autism, guilt, and self-esteem.

O'Callaghan, J. B. (1995). School-based collaboration with families: An effective model for a society in crisis. Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 2, 286-300.
This article describes a systematic intervention that helps parents and school personnel work together as a team.

Reineke, M., Dattilio, F. M., & Freeman, A. (Eds.). (1995). Casebook of cognitive behavior therapy with children and adolescents. New York: Guilford.
Because cognitive behavior therapy is both brief and well researched, it has become more accepted for treating depression and anxiety in adults. These authors use cases to show how cognitive therapy can be applied to children and adolescents.

Visher, E. B., & Visher, J. S. (1995). The core ingredients in the treatment of stepfamilies, Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families. 2, 208-214.
Children from step or blended families present unique strengths and vulnerabilities. Visher and Visher bring both personal and professional experience to this article.

Widerman, J. L., & Widerman, E. (1995). Family systems–oriented school counseling. School Counselor. 43, 66-73.
Widerman and Widerman make a strong case for school counselors learning more about family systems and suggest that families should be a focus of treatment.

Wilkes, T. C. R., Belsher, G., Ruch, A. J., & Frank, E. (1994). Cognitive therapy for depressed adolescents. New York: Guilford.
The book reviews research support for cognitive therapy's effectiveness in reducing the symptoms of depression in adolescents and then describes how to apply the methodology.

Zimmerman, J.L., & Dickerson, V.C. (1996). If problems talked: Narrative therapy in action. New York: Guilford.
The authors describe the "problem saturated" narratives that clinicians typically bring to therapy. This book is designed to help them aid clients in creating stories of competence and hope.

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