Counselling Children and Young People - Case Study Example

Running Head: Understanding Children Counselling Children and Young people Name Institution Date Understanding Children Children who are victims of trauma faces a number of psychological torture with the signs and symptoms ranging from behavioral change, interpersonal problems when it comes to relating with people and exhibiting a character of general disturbance in her mind. Their effects could be either evident in a short term or they may take a longer term before they are noticed. Andrea et al, (2012). According to Kaffman (2009), the emerging case of children exposure to the various trauma stressors have risen to be one of the silent epidemic. This is evident with the case of Khadija who has been a victim of various stresses ranging from the parents’ separation, her mother neglecting her in to her frequent hospital admissions and even her lack of exposure to the immediate extended family. The professionals in this case are thus able to help Khadija who is in a state of fear and which could critically develop in her brain if not well addressed by a psychiatrist (Cole et al, 2005). Most children suffering from trauma history portray similar moods related cases ranging from anxiety and general disruption in their behaviour as a disorder. The number of the stressors into which a child is exposed to over time greatly determines the level of trauma that has affected the child. This is evident in the behavioural context whereby Khadija portrays anxiety, unhappiness, too frustrated when things are not up to her expectations and upset most if the time. The service the professional thus helps in offering a sense of security to a friendly environment. In addition, the quality of the therapy offered helps to create a strong foundation for the treatment of the trauma due to the relationship established between the counselor, the parent and the child (APA, 2008). The Child’s Act (2004), critically addresses the strong relationship between educational achievement and the child’s well being. A child is known to thrive well when he is healthy, safeguarded from any harm and also engaged in various activities in their curriculum. Thus the educational achievement due to right state of mind is long term evidence by the general outcomes of the child; whether poor or not. The long term repercussion on her health has thus greatly affected both her studies and the relationship among the classmates, the parents and the siblings. The professionals in this case thus are able to analyse the child and be positive role models that will drive the child into a healing process so that also enhance a strong social, educational and also behavioural results in the future (Cole et al, 2005). The treatment will thus help Khadija to discover their skills and also strengths, like drawing. Involving the mother in the treatment process will also help to speed up the recovery process as everyone is aware of their roles in helping the child to recover. This is evidenced by the sessions being offered to Khadija’s family (APA, 2008). Cultural dimension is a great determinant into the child’s life while dealing with a strongly rooted trauma caused by the parents coming from diverse heritages. The parents’ relationship in a child’s upbringing is also a great contribution in relation to the effects of any trauma faced to a child. It is of importance for the adults to understand that the response of the child who is traumatized is usually to great deal dependent on the levels of development and thus attendance of the sessions for Khadija and the mother as well as ensuring that they follow up is paramount. The therapists also creates a reestablishment in the normalcy of life by ensuring that the family have a relationship so as asking Khadija to attend the session with the mother and also having some session for both Khadija and the mother. The effect of the trauma can cause the professional to be affected and so there is a great understanding that the emotional toll not only affects the affected, but also the professionals as in the case of Nadia, the supervisor. By the supervisor referring the case of Khadija to the general practitioner, it shows that there is great need for the children who are traumatized to be referred into the right treatment. The supervisor should also involve the community in the treatment during the assessment as was in Khadija’s case. The treatment of the traumatized children like Khadija should be implemented in such a way that it will be effective to people of all people of different cultural backgrounds. Carol and her family seemed to be from entirely minority group in terms of their racial and ethnical background thus they should not be discriminated against in terms of accessing mental services by the major race in response to their experience in their traumatic experiences. According to Geldard and Geldard, (2008). In many cases, several children and young people are not aware of their culture and ethnic background apart from the British culture or they always feel to be related to the British culture. It is important that children are aware that there is no way they can exist in more than one culture as it is in the case study. However, not all children who come from the minority ethnic groups are faced with problems socializing with others or develop a feeling of isolation in the society. Therefore, the needs of children irrespective of their ethnic background should be given equal opportunity during treatment. Children and young people who have strong sense of identity are likely to grow into cheerful and healthy adults. It is the duty of the carer to assist children from different backgrounds to develop confident and be proud of whom they are. It is not easy for children and young people to understand their background, and they get more confused if the carer comes from a different social, cultural and ethnic background from them (Perver, 2010). Children and young people see people as being the same irrespective of their backgrounds, and this provides a good avenue for helping children to appreciate one another. People taking care of such children should be accorded equal opportunities so that they do not feel segregated. When treating children and young people from different backgrounds, and very hard experience it is necessary to use proper approaches when handling them. Medical practitioners are supposed to support children and young people to deal with racism. It may be difficult to deal with problem of racism, but children and young people have to be taught not to practice the vice. Health practitioners should also be careful not expose such children to hate crime. This is a criminal wrongdoing execute against a person due to their nationality, ethnic background, religion, disability, sex and sexuality. Planning how to assist children and young people to develop a positive attitude towards their ethnic background and to feel part of it has to considered by the people taking care of the children (Geldard and Geldard, 2008). Children's spiritual interests, community history and their family has to be supported and guided on how to cope with the reality of life. This can be achieved by referring to the successful role models from minority ethnic backgrounds in order to emphasize the importance of all social, cultural and ethnic background. Children and young people should not be criticised for in instance if they communicate in their second language or they fail to express themselves in English. They should be guided where possible to avoid being made fun of by others. Therefore, children and young people from different backgrounds have to treated with fairness so that they feel appreciated. Segregating such children on the basis ethnicity could cause more harm to the children by lowering their self esteem (Scheafer and Gerard, 2007). The concept of transference phenomena was first introduced in 1910 which indicated that the influence of the patient on the unconscious feelings of the analyst may hinder treatment. The impediment of counter transference in the treatment of patients existed the psychoanalytic literature foe a considerably long time (Delgado, 2008). However, several researches have been conducted by different researchers, and have recognized that the reaction of clinicians to their patients is of relevance to diagnostic and therapeutic practices, and if appropriately conducted makes treatment successful. According to this view, the response of clinicians to the patients provides a clear view on how the patient relates with significant others. During the treatment, the patient may make the clinician to have a feeling that the patient has difficulties appreciating or acknowledging the relationship that exists between him or her with the clinician. A new concept of role responsiveness was introduced whereby the therapist is expected to perform in harmony with relationship the patient re-builds with the therapist. A relevant concept of cyclical psychodynamics was also introduced whereby the wishes, fears, behaviours and expectations produces self-fulfilling prophecies (Delgado, 2008). Although literature on counter transference is a lot and continues to expand, the subsequent practical literature is scarce. Research has been conducted with non-clinical samples and they do not offer direct support to some of the ideas developed around transference phenomena (Delgado, 2008). In fact, the research demonstrates that people who are depressed draw criticism from others people which equals their personal criticism. It also demonstrates that people who responsive to rejection will elicit rejection and emphasize their internal forms of relationships. While Nadia was counselling exploring the various experiences that Khadija went through, she felt the magnitude of the experience which raised her emotions. There are different things that are registered in this kind of experience by therapists. First, there is transference and countertransference and second, there is compassion stress that is experienced. Countertransference is explained as process by which a professional attributes to the client traits as well as behaviours, past along with present ones to a significant other, event, and so on in his/her own life. The responses can be positively or negatively experienced, in spoken or unspoken manner, or even consciously or unconsciously. Moreover, the experiences may have factors which are physical, social, psychological, gender based, race sensitive, spiritually or culturally oriented as well as ecological in relation to the professional’s own life as James et al (2012) explain. From the case example, Nadia experienced the countertransference. At first it overwhelmed her such that she almost gave in to sympathising with the young Khadija. However, to overcome it she reflected about her own feelings only to find that she had shared a common experience with Khadija which was becoming a burden. Nadia’s containment of the countertransference is made possible by recognizing the vicious circle from which the transference which entangles her is broken. She then covers it with the positive transference which enables her to gain the right attitude for the therapy as Young-Eisendrath & Dawson (2008) advise. During the counselling process, Nadia who becomes overwhelmed sends a signal of the possibility of falling into the experience of a client depriving one of the capacities to assist the client. In this case the implications of Nadia’s countertransference experience help her to relate with Khadija while distinguishing them from them. From the above case, Nadia was being supervised as she continued to offer therapy to Khadija. This was an important thing for her as well for Khadija. There are different benefits of supervision which have been outlined for professionals who are learning the give competent counselling. Nelson (2005) observes that supervision is a counselling opportunity where a trainee can find client sources in the process of training. Just as Nadia finds a Khadija as a client source and utilizes the experiences to learn from the supervisor and the course. Furthermore, Nelson (2005) continues to emphasize that supervision is an opportunity to build a trusting relationship where a trainee can build up confidence in the counselling ability. In relating with clients, trainees get an opportunity to explore in a non-defensive way the good as well as the poor usage of counselling skills. In general, Nelson (2005) is of the view that supervision is aimed at improving the skills of the trainee and protecting clients. Any reservations for trainees therefore can be brought into their attention. The same case applies to Nadia who is able to share with the supervisor her experience with counselling Khadija. She learnt to overcome her own incompetence as well as build a space for being able to reason alone. References Cole, S., Greenwald O'Brien, J., & Gadd, M. G. (2005). Helping traumatized children learn: Supportive school environments for children traumatized by family violence. D’Andrea, W., Ford, J., Stolbach, B., Spinazzola, J., & van der Kolk, B. A. (2012). Understanding interpersonal trauma in children: why we need a developmentally appropriate trauma diagnosis. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82(2), 187-200. Delgado, M. (2008). Psychodynamic psychotherapy for children and young people: An old friend revisited. Psychiatry, 5(5), 67-72. Geldard, K., and Geldard, D. (2008). Counselling Children: A Practical Introduction. Third Edition. London: Sage Publications Gilliland, B. E., & James, R. K. (2013). Crisis intervention strategies. Goodman, R. F. (2002). Caring for kids after trauma and death: A guide for parents and professionals. Child Study Center/New York University School of Medicine. Nelson-Jones, R. (2005). Practical counselling and helping skills: Text and exercises for the lifeskills counselling model. London: SAGE. Penna, S. (2005). The Children Act 2004: Child protection and social surveillance. Journal of social welfare and family law, 27(2), 143-157 Perver, M. (2010). Counselling and Supporting Children and Young People: A Person Centered Approach. London: Sage Publications Scheafer, C. & Gerard Kaduson, H. (2007). Contemporary Play Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Guilford Press Young-Eisendrath, P., & Dawson, T. (2008). The Cambridge companion to Jung. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Read More

The long term repercussion on her health has thus greatly affected both her studies and the relationship among the classmates, the parents and the siblings. The professionals in this case thus are able to analyse the child and be positive role models that will drive the child into a healing process so that also enhance a strong social, educational and also behavioural results in the future (Cole et al, 2005). The treatment will thus help Khadija to discover their skills and also strengths, like drawing.

Involving the mother in the treatment process will also help to speed up the recovery process as everyone is aware of their roles in helping the child to recover. This is evidenced by the sessions being offered to Khadija’s family (APA, 2008). Cultural dimension is a great determinant into the child’s life while dealing with a strongly rooted trauma caused by the parents coming from diverse heritages. The parents’ relationship in a child’s upbringing is also a great contribution in relation to the effects of any trauma faced to a child.

It is of importance for the adults to understand that the response of the child who is traumatized is usually to great deal dependent on the levels of development and thus attendance of the sessions for Khadija and the mother as well as ensuring that they follow up is paramount. The therapists also creates a reestablishment in the normalcy of life by ensuring that the family have a relationship so as asking Khadija to attend the session with the mother and also having some session for both Khadija and the mother.

The effect of the trauma can cause the professional to be affected and so there is a great understanding that the emotional toll not only affects the affected, but also the professionals as in the case of Nadia, the supervisor. By the supervisor referring the case of Khadija to the general practitioner, it shows that there is great need for the children who are traumatized to be referred into the right treatment. The supervisor should also involve the community in the treatment during the assessment as was in Khadija’s case.

The treatment of the traumatized children like Khadija should be implemented in such a way that it will be effective to people of all people of different cultural backgrounds. Carol and her family seemed to be from entirely minority group in terms of their racial and ethnical background thus they should not be discriminated against in terms of accessing mental services by the major race in response to their experience in their traumatic experiences. According to Geldard and Geldard, (2008). In many cases, several children and young people are not aware of their culture and ethnic background apart from the British culture or they always feel to be related to the British culture.

It is important that children are aware that there is no way they can exist in more than one culture as it is in the case study. However, not all children who come from the minority ethnic groups are faced with problems socializing with others or develop a feeling of isolation in the society. Therefore, the needs of children irrespective of their ethnic background should be given equal opportunity during treatment. Children and young people who have strong sense of identity are likely to grow into cheerful and healthy adults.

It is the duty of the carer to assist children from different backgrounds to develop confident and be proud of whom they are. It is not easy for children and young people to understand their background, and they get more confused if the carer comes from a different social, cultural and ethnic background from them (Perver, 2010). Children and young people see people as being the same irrespective of their backgrounds, and this provides a good avenue for helping children to appreciate one another.

People taking care of such children should be accorded equal opportunities so that they do not feel segregated. When treating children and young people from different backgrounds, and very hard experience it is necessary to use proper approaches when handling them.

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