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The lives of teenagers and young adults today are increasingly complex; in an ever-changing political, social, ethical and technological landscape, they are having to hold the multiple demands of the education system, finding work and building a career in an increasingly competitive environment, navigating social pressures, maintaining an online presence, negotiating complex family dynamics, and much more - all alongside the quest to establish their own identity as they move into adulthood.
A Practical Guide for Working Therapeutically with Teenagers and Young Adults is exactly that: a comprehensive and engaging guide that seeks to inform and support professionals working therapeutically with this age group. As an experienced counsellor, Gifford knows of what she writes: she has worked extensively in this field, in a range of therapeutic roles. She draws on that experience to offer practical advice, techniques and tools that will enhance therapeutic interactions and promote the positive relationships that can foster the personal growth, resilience and wellbeing of teenagers and young adults. The many case study examples bring to life and enrich the reader's understanding and provide valuable insights from the author's firsthand experience.
Written simply and succinctly, in short chapters and without use of complicated jargon, this book is designed to reach out to readers from a range of professional disciplines, backgrounds and levels of qualification and experience. Its main message is one of encouragement to professionals to stay open to continually learning from their young clients themselves in order to develop and enrich their therapeutic practice.
The book is primarily aimed at professionals, including counsellors and therapists, mental health workers, social workers, pastoral staff, youth workers, and educational staff, who are either seeking to enhance their existing skills in working with young adults or are new to this field.
Introduction
PART 1: THE FIRST MEETING
1 Creating the therapy space
2 Introductions
3 Teenagers hate silence
4 The floor is your friend
5 Building trust
PART 2: TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS
6 Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility
7 Tools to get started
8 The family tree
9 Timelines
10 Worksheets
11 Psychoeducation
12 Fidget toys
13 Games
14 Creative interventions
15 Sand tray
16 Cards
17 Narratives
18 Guided imagery
19 Media
20 Group exercises
PART 3: ADDRESSING SPECIFIC ISSUES
21 Working with different topics
22 Self-care
23 Identity
24 Identity within communities
25 Sex and relationships
26 Drugs and alcohol 4
27 Self-harm
28 Suicidal thoughts
29 Grief and loss
30 Language and communication
31 Body language
32 Communication in relationships
33 Attachment and family
34 Independence and touch
35 Neurodiversity and neurodivergence
36 Boundaries
37 Social media and technology
38 Confidentiality and contracting
39 Assessments and outcomes
40 Disclosure and risk
41 Online and phone counselling
42 Behaviour and safety
43 Child protection and safeguarding
44 Between sessions
45 The world
46 Conflicts of interest and dual roles
47 Review meetings
48 Working with other professionals
49 School and education
50 Diagnoses
51 Referrals
52 Supervision
53 Endings
54 Learning from your clients
Conclusion
'This delightful book offers a comprehensive and accessible overview of therapeutic work with young people. Broken down into four parts, it covers everything you would need to consider, ranging from 'being in the room', to specific issues such as sex and relationships; identity; self-harm etc., as well as general practice, including ethical considerations. A jargon-free guide, appropriate to all modalities, this nifty book is highly recommendable.'
Caz Binstead is an integrative therapist working with young people and adults. She is also an author, supervisor, facilitator/visiting lecturer, and co-lead of #TherapistsConnect
'If you're preparing to work with teens, in any setting or capacity, think of this book as your 'to do' list, your 'to think about' list and your 'what to do when the sh*t hits the fan' list. Helen Gifford gets teenagers. She tells you all the things you'll need to know about working with this demographic - including quite a few I guarantee you'll have overlooked, and some you'll wish you could - all wrapped up in one contemporary and concise companion guide.'
Jeanine Connor, psychotherapist, supervisor, author
Helen Gifford is a counsellor and supervisor with nearly 20 years' experience of working therapeutically with young adults. Based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, she has a degree in psychology and further qualifications in counselling and supervision. Helen trained initially in cognitive behavioural therapy and has since developed her practice to incorporate creative, narrative and parts work. She defines her current approach as integrative. She has worked therapeutically in inner-city schools and young people’s residential settings, and is now in full-time practice, offering counselling to teenagers, young adults and adults, and clinical supervision to colleagues in the therapy professions. Helen's deep understanding of the challenges faced by young adults, combined with her passion for supporting other practitioners, inspired her to write this practical guide. The guide reflects Helen's commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice and equipping fellow practitioners with the tools and confidence to support young adults in their mental health journeys.
