Good Example Of Essay On Counseling Children

I chose to interview Sharon Holder. She is a licensed child therapist, and she works for Monarch Behavioral Treatment Centre in Winston-Salem N.C. She has been practicing for five years. She chose to work for children because she loves children, and she dedicated her time to offer the much-needed help in order to help them overcome problems that they may face. Holder hinted to me that her previous experience as a child therapist actually helps her when counseling children. She has developed many approaches for different cases, and this helps her realize the best outcome when providing assistance to children. Holder argues that in as much as the ethical guidelines are meant to safeguard their clients, therapists are often torn between loyalties to the child and providing some information to the parents. In many cases, therapists are caught between allegiance to their minor clients and the legal reality of parental rights (Herlihy & Corey 2006).
Holder also stated that for counselors to be successful in their work of helping minors, they should maintain a level of ethical standards that comprises many aspects like upholding client confidentiality. Ethics is meant to maintain a high standard of professionalism and counselor should adhere to these principles for successful sessions with minors. In case a child cannot trust a counselor, they should explain to them the benefits and reasons of undergoing that process. For them to gain the confidence of the minors they should make them understand what the process is all about and assure them that they will provide the help that the child needs (Worden 2008). It is a fact that some African American children don’t like to talk to a therapist who isn’t black. The best way to get them thrash this notion is to explain to them that non-black therapist are as good as black therapists.
Sometimes a counselor cannot fully adhere to the ethical guidelines. In cases where they have to make a decision that is in the best interest of the child, they may choose to overlook some ethical guidelines. In cases of confidentiality, parents must understand that it applies to their child in therapy, and they may disclose some information that they don’t want their parents to know (Remley & Herlihy 2010). Therapists often encounter children with mental issues and who contemplate suicide. The therapist first should know the cause of such thoughts and what is driving a child to harbor such thoughts. It becomes easier to talk to a child and give them solutions when you have background information about their issues. Some children feel depressed because of low self-esteem. Encouraging children to listen actively and share their feelings will greatly help them raise their self-esteem. Getting along well with others and being responsible for their behavior will significantly boost their self-esteem.
Reassuring a child that you will help them gives them a sense of trust. Before talking to a minor about counseling, it is important to make sure the minor clients understands the implications of the therapy. So it is important to obtain their consent first (Lawrence & Kurpius 2000). Counselors should assure their clients that they will try their best in providing help to them and will try as much as possible to offer them support. It will also make the children trust you, and this will lead to them providing useful information that will enable a counselor effectively provide the help that a child needs. A counselor can provide this help if the child is telling him/her the truth. There are many approaches to knowing if a child is telling the truth. First you can try to ask the child same questions at different intervals and note the answers they give. If they are consistent, you can know that they are telling the truth. If a child is speaking the truth, it is probable that he/she will maintain eye contact. Integrating biblical approaches in counseling can also offer significant results. When counseling a child, a counselor can quote some texts from the Bible that pertains to the subject that they are talking about to that child. Citing some passages from the Bible that are against drugs and providing examples makes the child understand more of the theme at hand. Giving a child example from the Bible about the rewards of good behavior can also make them embrace the counseling positively.
Most of the standards and guidelines outlined in ACA Code of Ethics are favorable for the interest of the counselors, clients, and colleagues. However, some clauses should be revised because sometimes it becomes very hard to take them into consideration because of the interest of the client. Counselors may not necessarily adhere to them and have to make their decisions for the benefit of the clients. Child abuse should always be reported to the relevant authorities. In this case, the counselor must gather adequate information and evidence prior to filing a report (Girgus 2010). Holder explained to me the reason as to why she chose this profession is her passion for helping kids who are in need. Combining her natural charm and having a soft spot for children convinced her that she will work best with children because she understands them better. She also explains that she uses different approaches to help different children according to their willingness to open up and tell her their main problems. Every child has their unique issues, and a counselor must learn on how to approach effectively and address those issues in the most efficient way. Holders can confidently say that I can recommend her to anybody who has a child with a problem, and she will be more than willing to help the child.

References

Girgus, J. (2010). Barriers Preventing the Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Herlihy, B., & Corey, G. (2006). ACA Ethical Standards Case Book. Alexandria: ACA
Lawrence, G., & Kurpius, S.E.R. (2000). Legal and Ethical Issues Involved When Counseling Minors in Non-School Setting. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78(2), 130-136
Remley, T.P., & Herlihy, B. (2010). Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Counseling. Upper Saddle River: Merril/Pearson Education.
Worden, J.W. (2008). Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy. New York: Springer.