Part 1 Counselling children -- Goals for counselling children -- The child-counsellor relationship -- Ethical considerations when counselling children -- Attributes of a counsellor for children

Part 2 Practice frameworks -- Historical background and contemporary ideas about counselling children -- The process of child therapy -- The child's internal processes of therapeutic change -- Sequentially planned integrative counselling for children (the SPICC model) -- Counselling children in the context of family therapy -- Counselling children in groups

Part 3 Child counselling skills -- Observation -- Active listening -- Helping the child to tell their story and get in touch with strong emotions -- Dealing with resistance and transference -- Dealing with self-concept and self-destructive beliefs -- Actively facilitating change -- Termination of counselling -- Skills for counselling children in groups

Part 4 Play therapy: use of media and activities -- The play therapy room -- The evidence-base for play therapy and counselling children -- Selecting the appropriate media or activity -- The use of miniature animals -- Sand-tray work -- Working with clay -- Drawing, painting, collage and construction -- The imaginary journey -- Books and stories -- Puppets and soft toys -- Imaginative pretend play -- Games -- Technology

Part 5 The use of worksheets -- Building self-esteem -- Social skills training -- Education in protective behaviours

Part 6 In conclusion

"This is the definitive guide to working with children experiencing emotional problems."