ACOM / Study / Units / C7250C Child and Adolescent Counselling

C7250C Child and Adolescent Counselling

This unit aims to introduce students to the range of issues and challenges facing the treatment of children and adolescents. It explores how an understanding of human developmental theory can aid in counselling this age group and examines a range of key techniques and theoretical approaches that can be employed.
Unit Overview

Qualification

Bachelor

Unit Availability

Trimester 3

Study Mode

Online Facilitation

Placement

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 3 2025 Online Facilitation 4pm – 6pm
(AEST/AEDT)
Thursday 4 September
Thursday 11 September
Thursday 18 September
Thursday 25 September
Thursday 2 October
Thursday 9 October
Thursday 16 October
Thursday 23 October
Thursday 30 October
Thursday 6 November
Marissa Priaulx

Unit Details

This unit aims to introduce students to the range of issues and challenges facing the treatment of children and adolescents. It explores how an understanding of human developmental theory can aid in counselling this age group and examines a range of key techniques and theoretical approaches that can be employed.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Articulate how an understanding of human developmental theory, including neurodevelopment and attachment theory, can be included in practice for counselling children and adolescents.
  2. Identify a range of presenting issues and challenges to successful development and wellness, incorporating risk and protective factors, to inform assessment and treatment.
  3. Examine a range of key counselling techniques and theoretical approaches which are suitable for counselling young people.
  4. Develop an understanding of the legal and ethical principles and responsibilities involved with counselling children and adolescents.
  5. Apply principles learned to the practice of counselling young people.
  1. This unit explores and evaluates developmental stages, including attachment and neurodevelopment which is pertinent to childhood and adolescence.
  2. A range of challenges and presenting issues common to young people will be explored.
  3. Students will engage in case conceptualisation using sound theoretical frameworks to formulate an appropriate treatment plan informed by legal and ethical counselling practice.
  4. Theological perspectives will also be explored.
  5. Ethical and professional considerations in counselling including the 10 Child Safe Standards.
  1. Case Conceptualisation (30%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 4
  2. Group Project and Live Class Presentation (30%)
    Word Limit: 1500
    Due: Week 8 or 9
  3. Essay (40%)
    Word Limit: 2000
    Due: Week 12
  • Geldard D., Geldard K., & Yin Foo. R. (2017). Counselling children: A practical introduction. (5th ed.). Sage.
  • Geldard D., Geldard K., & Yin Foo. R. (2020). Counselling adolescents: The proactive approach for young people. (5th ed.). Sage.

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As a person who is holding down a job, and volunteering at my local church leading in our youth ministry, my studies would not be possible without the flexibility that studying with ACOM provides. Their understanding of my ‘all of life’ and working with me to participate in study in a meaningful way that flexes to my life circumstances has been amazing. I am not sure I could have pursued my studies without it.
Tessa Sedawie – Bachelor of Ministry

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Natalie Crawford – Master of Theology

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A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

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My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

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Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

As a relatively young person in an employed ministry position, I have greatly benefited from my degree of Bachelor of Ministry and have observed my growth through undergoing studies. While studying and working full time in ministry, I have found that each unit, in some way or another, is relevant to my job whether that be learning to preach or growing my Biblical literacy skills. Through working full-time in ministry, I have found that the online content and structures of my studies allows me to be flexible in structuring my learning around my busy ministry schedule. Each week I am able to accommodate my studies to fit my needs based on my schedule demands.
Libby Hall – Bachelor of Ministry

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