MPY650 Considerations and Counseling Approaches: Working with Children, Adolescents, and their Caregivers (2 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): MPY613  
This course provides a comprehensive overview of effective counseling approaches tailored to children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Participants explore developmental considerations, family dynamics, and evidence-based therapeutic modalities that promote positive mental health outcomes across different age groups. Special emphasis is placed on working collaboratively with caregivers to support the therapeutic process, building rapport with young clients, and navigating unique challenges presented by various stages of development.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Apply and adapt evidence based treatments to working with children and adolescents using play,  games, and age appropriate interventions
2. Practice introductory skills and strategies to interact with parents and caregivers 
3. Incorporate considerations of diversity in determining appropriate treatment approaches and intervention strategies for counseling children and adolescent clients
4. Evaluate ethical standards, legal principles, and current trends as they apply to therapeutic practice with children and adolescents
5. Describe and apply community standards of practice for case notes and treatment plans