A child's or adolescent's disruptive behaviors can be challenging for a counselor. Disruptive behaviors can interrupt the counseling process, and they often signify the existence of emotions a child or adolescent is unable to express verbally. Some prospective child and adolescent counselors may be ill-equipped to manage disruptive behaviors or recognize that the behaviors are symptomatic of an issue or disorder. This lack of knowledge may elicit a non-therapeutic response from a counselor, which can damage the development of a therapeutic relationship. A therapeutic relationship is vital in order to counsel children and adolescents effectively.
For this Application Assignment, review the Disruptive Behaviors media and select a particular child or adolescent with a disruptive behavior. Consider how the counselor developed and inhibited the therapeutic relationship with the child or adolescent during the counseling sessions.
The assignment (3–5 pages) is in two parts:
Select one child or adolescent with a disruptive behavior reflected in the media.
Part One
Critically analyze the less effective counseling session with the child or adolescent with the disruptive behavior you selected.
Explain one goal the counselor was attempting to accomplish in the counseling approach and why.
Explain one way this counseling approach is less effective and why.
Explain one error the counselor made that inhibited the development of a therapeutic relationship and why.
Part Two
Critically analyze the effective counseling session with the child or adolescent with the disruptive behavior you selected.
Explain one goal the counselor was attempting to accomplish in the counseling approach and why.
Explain one way the counseling approach was effective and why.
Explain two skills the counselor possessed that promoted the development of a therapeutic relationship and why.
References:
Flamez, B. & Sheperis, C. J. (2015). Diagnosing and treating children and adolescents: A guide for clinical and school settings. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chapter 6 “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”
Chapter 16 “Disruptive, Impulse-Control, and Conduct Disorders”
Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2007). Tough kids, cool counseling: User-friendly approaches with challenging youth(2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Chapter 3, "Resistance Busters: Quick Solutions and Long-Term Strategies"
Chapter 7, "Ecological Theory and Parent Education Strategies"
Cochran, J. L., Cochran, N. H, Nordling, W. J., McAdam, A., & Miller, D. T. (2010). Two case studies of child-centered play therapy for children referred with highly disruptive behavior. International Journal of Play Therapy, 19(3), 130–143.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Eyberg, S. M., Nelson, M. M., & Boggs, S. R. (2008). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with disruptive behavior. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 37(1), 215–237.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Powers, C. J.. & Bierman, K. L. (2013). The multifaceted impact of peer relations on aggressive-disruptive behaviour in early elementary school. Developmental Psychology, 49(6), 1174–1186.