Counseling Children in School and Clinical Mental Health Settings

Abstract

This chapter provides information to identify developmental domains and stages pertaining to children between the ages of four to eight years old, understand clinical mental health counselor and school counselor services based on parameters of the profession, and conceptualize internal and external factors that contribute to childhood behaviors and manifestations. Developmental theories provide insight and foundation for the purposes of understanding childhood growth and gauging milestone attainment. The chapter addresses physical development in childhood. Clinical mental health and school counselors receive majority of same training during graduate school in terms of counseling courses. The chapter discusses cognitive development which addresses concepts such as childhood imagination, abstract and tangible thinking, and problem solving. Children between the ages of 4–5 years old begin to establish friendship groups, name call and brag, and use their imagination while transitioning into more detailed play. Children who demonstrate prosocial behaviors such as helping, cooperating, sharing, and showing concern generally develop positive relationships with others throughout their lives.