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Essential Training Associates

Diploma Course Modules

In this module, we shall: - - identify the key elements of attachment history and development.
- identify the four major styles of attachment in children and young people. - describe how healthy development occurs within a secure attachment relationship in children and young people.
- consider how early attachment experiences and own adolescent years influenced personal development.
- consider the neuroscience of human attachment and the implication for
practice and adolescent brain development.
- demonstrate how to link attachment and developmental theories into own counselling practice.

1 Attachment & Neuroscience

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - consider normal and interrupted development between 0-16 years and the resulting behaviours.
- explore the circumstances in which children may fail to thrive in the absence of a secure environment.
- consider the importance of attachment history when working therapeutically
with children and young people.
- reflect upon own adolescent attachment issues from an attachment perspective.
- evaluate and reflect on the impact of your own child and adolescent years on the therapeutic relationship with young clients.

2 Interrupted Attachment

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - explore child and adolescent development as a sequence of changes physically, emotionally socially and cognitively from birth to adulthood.
- identify how children and young people progress from dependency on their
parents and carers to increasing independence.
- identify how nature and nurture influence development, as well as environmental and educational factors.
- explain how attachment theory has influenced child and adolescent
development.
- explain how cognitive and psychological theories influence child and adolescent
development.
- examine the crucial life transitions from nursery to high school and beyond (4-25yrs).

3 Child Development & Transitions

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - explain how the role of play is an essential method of communication for
childhood and adolescent development.
- explain how the development of play throughout the ages has supported children and young people’s communication development.
- consider and reflect on the Axline's principles of play and how this informs the therapeutic process.
evaluate the importance of a holistic approach to child and adolescent play in a counselling setting.
- explore how social media has influenced adolescent development and social interaction.
- explain how play impacted own development as a child and young person.

4 Play for Development

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - discuss the different experiences that constitute childhood trauma, and how this
can impact children and young people psychologically and emotionally.
- explore the research into adverse childhood experiences and the health and wellness risks resulting in later life.
- identify the effects of toxic stress on a child’s developing brain and nervous system.
- understand the concepts of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, burnout and
secondary trauma in the counselling profession.
- develop an awareness of the risk factors and vulnerabilities of the counsellor.
- understanding how to proactively prevent secondary trauma and self-care.
- participate in age-appropriate interventions and therapy for counselling children
and young people through traumatic events and experiences.

5 Working with Trauma

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - explain the key elements of collaborative assessments when working ethically
with children and young people.
- describe the various methods of therapeutic assessments available to
practitioners.
- identify how to implement safe clinical practice when working with children and
young people identify risk and protective factors for children and young people.
- recognise the different policies around children’s rights across the UK.

6 Assessments & Safe Ethical Practice

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - describe the limitations and challenges that may be faced when working
within a school setting and how to manage the complexities of
confidentiality.
- explain how to work with care experienced children in a counselling setting.
- understand the use of clinical and ethical skills within multi-agencies, in line with BACP Competencies for Working with Children and Young People.
- identify risk and protective factors for children and young people.
- describe the administration, policies and procedures essential for counselling children and young people.

7 Multi-Agencies & Systems

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

In this module, we shall: - - reflect on how stories past and present have been used throughout the ages to pass on traditions.
- explain how storytelling and metaphor, in a therapeutic setting, can help children and young people understand their life experiences and shape their future.
- identify the key legislation for working therapeutically with children and young
people.
- describe relevant elements of the National Guidance for Child Protection in UK.
- explain why 'good enough' therapeutic endings are essential in relation to working with children and young people.
- understand the difficulties often experienced by children and young people
regarding endings.

8 Storytelling, Voice of the Child & Endings

Moira Hood & Rachel Eastop

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