Childhood and Adolescence Personal Reflection
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Grand Canyon University *
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640
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Arts Humanities
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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docx
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4
Uploaded by DeanWater20092
Childhood and Adolescence Personal Reflection
Nedra J Byrd
Grand Canyon University
College of Humanities and Behavioral Science
PCN-640: Specialization in Counseling
Alice Crawford January 10, 2024 1
Childhood and Adolescence Personal Reflection
Childhood and adolescence refer to the various stages of development and maturation in life. Childhood is the period between birth and puberty, where the majority of mental and physical growth takes place, whereas adolescence begins at puberty until adulthood when primary and secondary sexual characteristics occur. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)(2023), it is a distinctive period of human development and a critical time
for arranging the groundwork for good health (Abstract). The study of childhood and adolescence will allow us to understand the cognitive, social, physical, emotional, and educational growth that occurs during these stages of life. Within this essay, there will be discussions of who I am as a counselor in terms of conceptualizing problems and solutions and how this would be reflected in childhood and adolescence specialization. Conceptualize Problems and Solutions
Bryant H. McGill stated, “Suffering is the most reliable teacher you will ever have,” and there are valuable lessons to gain from the next generation, or there are valuable lessons to be taught. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (2022), studies have shown that approximately 15-43% of girls and 14-43% of boys have experienced trauma in their life (para.2). This is of great concern for our upcoming generation, so having the most effective evidence-based treatment possibilities available, is the chosen avenue to begin.
After extensive research into the most effective treatment modality for children and adolescents, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) remains one of the pillars of psychotherapeutic methods for various conditions, used for clients from varied socioeconomic 2
backgrounds, 23ages, and cultures (Halder & Mahato, 2019, oara.1). The American Academy of
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2023) found CBT helped improve children’s moods, behavior, and anxiety by analyzing their distorted or confused thought patterns. Educating how thoughts can affect their moods and actions allows the counselor to help replace their negative thoughts with more acceptable or appropriate attitudes or performances (para.3). Reflection of Specialization
With CBT being a modality that I am familiar with, theorizing difficulties and solutions should come at ease, allowing effective outcomes of treatment. Chand et al. (2023) state that cognitive-behavioral therapy for children and adolescents is based on a “straightforward, common-sense model of relationships among cognition, emotion, and behavior, with three aspects emphasized; automatic thoughts, cognitive distortions, and underlying beliefs or schemes
(para.4). In conclusion, children and adolescents deal with a tremendous amount of changes throughout their lives, and dealing with trauma can only lead to more issues. Locating a counselor who specializes in children and adolescence therapy, can help them to overcome these events and live a healthy life. 3
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References
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2019 Apr). Psychotherapy for children and adolescents: Different types. https://www.aacp.org/AACP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-
Guide/Psychotherapies-For-Children-And-Adolescents=086.aspx#:-
text=Psychodynamic%20Psychotherapy#20emphasizes%20understanding%20the,to%20i
nner%20conflicts%20and%20struggles
Chand, SP, Kuckel, DP, Huecker, MR (2023 May 23). Cognitive behavior therapy. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nih.gov/books/NBK470241/
Halder, S. & Mahato, A.K. (2019 May-Jun). Cognitive behavior therapy for children and adolescents: Challenges and gaps in practice. Indian J Psychol Med. 41
(3): 279-283 doi:10.4103/IJPSYM_470_18
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2022 Sep 22), How common is PTSD in children and teens? PTSD: National Center for PTSD.
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_children_teens.asp
World Health Organization (2023). Adolescent health, https:// www.who.int/health-
topics/adolescent-health#tab_1
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