Preface

Abstract

Extract Our goal in this text is to address the needs and factors influencing youth development and mental health from a systemic perspective for clinicians and clinicians-in training across disciplines (e.g., counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, social work). Throughout this text we address the various systems that influence and impact development and mental health for children and adolescents. We focus on a biopsychosocial model to address how various systems such as schools, community, juvenile justice, medical, and social services interplay when addressing concerns from early childhood to emerging adulthood. Throughout the text we address models, systems, concepts, and interventions that are interwoven into youth development and mental health. Organization of This Book The text is derived from four authors with varied experiences delivering youth services, from the roles of schools to counseling services, the juvenile justice system, and issues and interventions for undocumented immigrant minors. Dr. Richard S. Balkin is Professor at the University of Mississippi in the Department of Leadership. His counseling experience working with at-risk youth in psychiatric hospitals and outpatient settings was formative to his research agenda, which includes understanding the role of counseling and relevant goals for adolescents in crisis and counseling outcomes.