Pastoral Counseling with Children and Adolescents

This course provides theological, theoretical, and practical foundations for a comprehensive exploration of assessment, treatment, and advocacy of children (through adolescents) from psycho-socio-spiritual perspectives. Utilizing a basic understanding of pastoral counseling and marriage and family therapy, the DSM?V system theories, Solution Focus and Narrative Theories, and interventions, the course explores the diagnostic criteria for assessing children (through adolescents) and providing counseling for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. Close attention will be given to how the child’s symptoms affect family homeostasis and how parental emotional and behavioral problems impact the behavioral and emotional health of children.