Title: Adverse Childhood Experiences as Context for Youth Assessment and Diagnosis

Authors: Kaprea F. Johnson, PhD; Shonn Cheng, PhD; Dana L. Brookover, PhD; and Brett Zyromski, PhD

Description: Research has found that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can be emotionally painful or distressing, with potentially negative consequences for years. While counselors need to be aware of ACEs, the prevalence rate of ACEs, and how experiencing ACEs impacts mental and behavioral health outcomes, there is a lack of empirical research centered on ACEs and assessing them with children and a need for more information about effectively assessing ACEs and how counselors can use this information in diagnosis, treatment, and their advocacy work (Johnson et al., 2023). Professional counselors, as indicated by Johnson et al., may need to consider adaptations to their practice to include ACEs and enhance their assessment approach as well as diagnosis and intervention, thereby supporting the mental health of youths. Counselors who register for this Continuing Professional Development will learn to understand the predictive relationship between the number of ACEs and demographics in relation to parent-reported depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. Considerations are presented for best practices, including an ACE assessment for parents to complete for children and for when assessment ACEs are presented. Additionally, as a result of registering for this CE, counselors will be able to discuss implications for counseling professionals and know the implications for future research.

Title: Child-Centered Play Therapy and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Description: Children with multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and complex trauma histories frequently fail to form safe and trusting relationship and avoid coregulatory opportunities with caring adults (Frawley & Taylor, 2024). In this vein, Frawley and Taylor sought to determine how the relationship may manifest on a nonverbal, physiological level during sessions with children exposed to relational trauma and multiple ACEs. The authors of this study discuss the implications of this research for counselors and play therapists working with children impacted by ACEs.

Title: Childhood Psychological Maltreatment, Sense of Self, and PTSD Symptoms in Emerging Adulthood

Authors: Justin R. Watts, PhD; Nicholas R. Lazzareschi; Yanhong Liu, PhD; and Deirdre O'Sullivan, PhD

Description: Child maltreatment (CM) is a significant public health issue that negatively impacts behavioral, physical, and psychological health across the lifespan (MaWatts et al., 2023). More specifically, Watts et al. stated that child psychological maltreatment (CPM) has been identified as a greater predictor of more severe PTSD symptoms when compared to other types of abuse; however, they explain that current treatments for CM associated with PTSD may not be as effective and that research on PTSD specifically associated with CPM is lacking. This Continuing Professional Development resources provides counselors with a rationale to understand the relationships among childhood psychological maltreatment (CPM), sense of self (SOS), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), know counseling interventions that focus on SOS during emerging adulthood for survivors of CPM who experience PTSD symptoms, and explain specific counseling practice and research implications.

Title: General Principles for Counseling Children and Adolescents

Authors: Thomas A. Field, PhD; Michelle R. Ghoston, PhD;

Description: The 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report stated that nearly 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the U.S. have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder and that suicidal behavior among high school students increased by more than 40% in the decade before 2019. The Report stated that mental health challenges were the leading cause of death and disability for children and adolescents and that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated those trends. This Continuing Professional Development provides an understanding of the three major principles for working effectively with children and adolescents counseling from a neuro-scienced perspective and know the principles for beginning and ending the counseling process when working with children and adolescents.

Title: Neuroscience-Informed Counseling With Children and Adolescents

Title: Partners in Play: An Adlerian Approach to Play Therapy, Third Edition