This book is a classic text for students and practitioners interested in learning more about working with children. It is easy to read and the examples given bring to life the real challenges faced in practice. At the end of each Chapter is a helpful key points box which is ideal for summarising the contents of each chapter. An essential text in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. -- Divine Charura

Counselling Children has been an excellent resource to enhance the practice of psychotherapy with children since its first edition published in 1997. I first met the Geldards at their informative workshops in Brisbane in those early years, which thoroughly enhanced my work with children. Their published books were an added bonus. This fifth edition further supports the therapist with an addition of a Companion Website. It is a highly recommended resource, and one that I value, for every therapist working with children. -- Dianne O'Malley

This book is first class. It is well written and engaging and contains a wealth of exercises and activities to use with children. I love this book. -- Sally Riggall

KATHRYN GELDARD, PhD, is a lecturer and counsellor supervisor in the School of Psychology and Counselling at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia. Her research interests include adolescent peer counselling and counselling effectiveness as perceived by the adolescent client in the QUT Psychology and Counselling Clinic. Kathryn is currently conducting research with Australian Aboriginal adolescents with regard to developing a culturally sensitive peer support program in a regional community. She is the author of a number of textbooks on counselling and has several years experience in supervising and training counsellors.

David Geldard has an international reputation as a counselling psychologist and for his work in counselling children and their families.

Rebecca Yin Foo is an educational and developmental psychologist who specialises in working with children and families.

Introduction to the fifth editionPart 1 Counselling Children1. Goals for counselling children2. The child-counsellor relationship3. Ethical considerations when counselling children4. Attributes of a counsellor for childrenPart 2 Practice Frameworks5. Historical background and contemporary ideas about counselling children6. The process of child therapy7. The child's internal processes of therapeutic change8. Sequentially Planned Integrative Counselling for Children (the SPICC model)9. Counselling children in the context of family therapy10. Counselling children in groupsPart 3 Child Counselling Skills11. Observation12. Active listening13. Helping the child to tell their story and get in touch with strong emotions14. Dealing with resistance and transference15. Dealing with self-concept and self-destructive beliefs16. Actively facilitating change17. Termination of counselling18. Skills for counselling children in groupsPart 4 Play Therapy - Use of Media and Activities19. The play therapy room20. The evidence-base for play therapy and counselling children21. Selecting the appropriate media or activity22. The use of miniature animals23. Sand-tray work24. Working with clay25. Drawing, painting, collage and construction26. The imaginary journey27. Books and stories28. Puppets and soft toys29. Imaginative pretend play30. Games31. TechnologyPart 5 The Use of Worksheets32. Building self-esteem33. Social skills training34. Education in protective behavioursPart 6 In Conclusion