As many mental health professionals will attest, challenging youth have become one of the most difficult and troubling problems of our time, and one which will continue to grow into the next century. Despite this clear trend, there is a marked lack of research currently available to practitioners about effective, productive methods and models of intervention for working with challenging youth. This study was written to address and fulfill these needs. Stressing the importance of self-awareness, genuineness, and empathy in effective counsellors, this book is practical, reader-friendly guide through the pitfalls and problems that arise when working with challenging populations. Building on a solid theoretical base in reality therapy, humanistic philosophy, solution-focused therapy, MRI brief problem-focused therapy, and system and systems theory, the book identifies specific considerations and strategies for counsellors. The author postulates six philosophical principles of effective counsellors and frames each chapter around a specific principle. In addition, it offers 47 lessons for working with at-risk youth and uses vignettes and studies to illustrate the principles under discussion.

Table of Contents

Preface. An Introduction. Lessons Learned: Promoting Self-Awareness to Enhance Therapeutic Relationships. Lessons Learned: Meeting Youth Where They Are - Individually, Developmentally, and Culturally. Lessons Learned: Finding a Healthy Balance Between Support and Challenge. Lessons Learned: Framing Problems and Solutions in More Creative, Constructive, and Caring. Revisiting the Principles. References.