Practical and clearly written, this new book from best-selling author Louise Porter equips mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to provide insightful guidance and support to children and adolescents.

The book introduces exciting new models for thinking about young people's needs, self-esteem and resilience that will invigorate counselling. It outlines the most common presenting difficulties for young people and provides clear, practical guidance on how professionals in a counselling environment can respond to these in an effective way. Offering a coherent blend of theories and practices, chapters address a wide range of emotional, social, behavioural and learning difficulties with which young people may present to counselling, such as experiences of grief and loss, anxiety and depression, disordered eating, and dealing with adversity. With an aim to empower, the book presents a non-pathologising approach to counselling that respects the skills that young people bring to working through their challenges.

Accessible for professionals and trainees alike, this book is a must-have for anyone working in a counselling capacity with children and adolescents.


Part 1: Philosophy, theory and practice of working with young people 1. Philosophy 2. Solution-focused therapy 3. Narrative therapy 4. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 5. Principles of working with young people 6. Collaboration and consultation 7. Ethics of working with young people 8. Caring for self 9. Diversity and social justice Part 2: Emotional issues 10. Emotions and emotion regulation 11. A model of resilience 12. Counselling young people in grief 13. Depression 14. Stress and anxiety 15. Trauma 16. Self-destructive behaviours Part 3: Social issues 17. Aggression 18. Bullying 19. Violence 20. Sexual abuse perpetration by juveniles 21. Social inclusion of gender and sexual minorities