1st Edition
Creativity in Counseling Children and Adolescents A Guide to Experiential Activities
Creativity in Counseling Children and Adolescents shows counselors and other mental health professionals how to use a wide variety of creative and experiential activities that emphasize strengths and skills-focused work. The first section addresses the basic tenets of experiential learning, guiding readers through ways to build a creative and interactive environment for counseling. Later chapters lay out methods for choosing activities and finding the right match between diverse interests, skills, abilities, and cultural considerations. Once an activity is identified and implemented, the book shows counselors how to help children make meaning and capitalize on the benefits of the activity through processing and transferring skills.
1. A Lens for Social Responsibility and Advocacy
Melanie Richburg, Teresa Behrend Fletcher
2. Experiential Learning Theory and Theoretical Framework
Amanda C. DeDiego, Teresa Behrend Fletcher
3. Successful Counseling
Teresa Behrend Fletcher
4. Trust the Process
Teresa Behrend Fletcher
5. Strengths and Skills
Teresa Behrend Fletcher, Hannah Conner, Madison Andrews
6. Stress and Trauma
Lay-nah Blue Morris-Howe, Ricky Zambrowicz
7. Treating DSM-5 Diagnoses
Isabel C. Farrell
8. Parables, Storytelling, Literature, and Books
R. Paul Maddox II, Rebecca Edelman
9. Board Games and Video Games
Susan Hurley, Monica Phelps-Pineda
10. Expressive and Creative Arts
Keith Davis, Melia A. Snyder
11. Scientific Thinking
Ana K. Houseal, Teresa Behrend Fletcher, Tanner Biwer, Joshua Zettel
12. Group Activities
Amanda C. DeDiego
13. Extracurricular Activities
Felix Yu, Amanda C. DeDiego
14. Animal Assisted Activities and Interventions
Leslie A. Stewart
15. Adventure Based Counseling
Amanda C. DeDiego
16. Final Reflections: Implications and Future Directions
Amanda C. DeDiego
Biography
Teresa Behrend Fletcher, PhD, LCPC, ACS, (she/her) is a professor and program director of the Sport and Human Performance Program at Adler University in Chicago, Illinois.
Amanda C. DeDiego, PhD, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH, (she/her) is an associate professor of counseling and a program coordinator at the University of Wyoming.
"This book combines both theoretical knowledge and developmental components with practical and applied clinical applications. Readers will learn the theoretical and developmental principles necessary for working with adolescents and children and the importance of engaging the creative aspects of clinical work, which is foundational for affecting change in young clients. The authors do a masterful job of capturing the unique industry and artistry necessary for working with this population."Shawn L. Spurgeon, PhD, fellow of the American Counseling Association
"This book was a pleasure to read! The authors have constructed a text that provides readers with strengths-based, experiential counseling activities that help promote change in youth. So few books have real-world applicability, but this text is practical, applied, and sure to assist mental health providers in supporting their young clients' change process. This book is essential for any mental health provider who works with young people and is searching for creative ways to invigorate their work."
Victoria Kress, PhD, distinguished professor of counseling at the Youngstown State University
"Through a social justice lens, the authors identify the realities of Western socialization as an oppressive underpinning to social structures that allow inequities and injustices to exist. By acknowledging a pathway of intentional personal and systemic behaviors that help to dismantle unjust practices, we are reminded that counselors and therapists are responsible for promoting social justice and for recognizing its direct impact on children, adolescents, and families."
Tiffany D. Stoner-Harris, PhD, assistant professor of counseling and integrated programs at Adler University
