Format: Live-online Lecturer Led Classes (Virtual-Classroom) via Zoom

Duration: 1 Evening Every Week 6pm to 9pm

Online Live Attendance: 30 Hours

Self-Directed Learning: 30 Hours

Total CPD Credits: 60 Credits

Assessment: Written Assignment +/- Viva Voca Assessment

Award: Accredited Professional Diploma

 

Course Accreditation:

- Professional Development Consortium

- Provider of Excellence

- CPD Standards Office

- Irish Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (ICPA)

- Irish Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (Directory)

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Class 1 – Introduction to Child & Adolescent Mental Health

• Defining mental health vs mental illness in children & adolescents

• Prevalence, risk and protective factors

• The bio-psycho-social model

• Overview of service systems (CAMHS, school supports, community/voluntary sector)

• Role boundaries: counsellor, psychotherapist, educator, multidisciplinary teams

 

Class 2 – Child & Adolescent Development

• Key theories of development (attachment, cognitive, emotional, social)

• Typical developmental milestones (0–18 years)

• Brain development and its impact on behaviour and learning

• Differentiating developmental variation from clinical concern

• Impact of early experiences and environment on later mental health

 

Class 3 – Assessment & Formulation with Young People

• Principles of assessment with children, adolescents and families

• Engaging the child/young person: rapport, safety and trust

• Taking a developmental and psychosocial history

• Screening tools and outcome measures (overview)

• Clinical formulation: making sense of the information gathered

• Communicating concerns and next steps to families and other professionals

 

Class 4 – Anxiety, Mood & Self-Harm

• Anxiety presentations: separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, panic, phobias

• Mood difficulties: low mood, depression, irritability in young people

• Self-harm: understanding function, risk factors, and protective factors

• Basic risk assessment and safety planning (within scope of role)

• Evidence-informed approaches to supporting anxiety and mood difficulties

 

Class 5 – Neurodevelopmental & Behavioural Presentations

• ADHD, Autism, learning differences: overview of signs and impact

• Conduct problems, oppositionality and emotional dysregulation

• Working with schools and parents around behaviour and regulation

• Strengths-based perspectives and neurodiversity-affirming practice

• Practical adjustments in communication and environment

 

Class 6 – Trauma, Attachment & Safeguarding

• Attachment theory in practice: secure vs insecure patterns

• Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)

• How trauma shows up in behaviour, learning and relationships

• Safeguarding and child protection: indicators of abuse/neglect

• Responding to disclosures: legal/ethical responsibilities and documentation

• Vicarious trauma and staying grounded as a practitioner

 

Class 7 – Family, Peer & School Systems

• Systemic and relational perspectives on child mental health

• Family dynamics, parenting styles and intergenerational patterns

• Peer relationships, bullying, social media and online influences

• The role of school: whole-school approaches, SEN supports, pastoral care

• Working collaboratively across systems: case discussions and communication skills

 

Class 8 – Therapeutic Approaches with Children & Adolescents

• Overview of evidence-based approaches (CBT, play-based work, systemic, creative methods)

• Adapting interventions to developmental level and neurotype

• Using play, art, story and metaphor to explore feelings

• Supporting emotional literacy, coping skills and problem-solving

• Boundaries and containment in sessions with young people

 

Class 9 – Diversity, Identity & Complex Presentations

• Culture, gender, sexuality, religion and socio-economic factors in mental health

• Stigma, discrimination, and barriers to accessing help

• Working affirmatively with diverse identities and family structures

• Co-occurring difficulties: anxiety plus ASD/ADHD, mood plus substance use, etc. (overview)

• Multi-agency pathways and signposting for more specialised support

 

Class 10 – Professional Practice, Ethics & Reflective Integration

• Ethical frameworks, confidentiality and consent/assent with minors

• Record-keeping, data protection and communication with parents/guardians

• Scope of practice, making referrals and knowing your limits

• Reflective practice: supervision, personal awareness, bias and power

• Self-care and sustainability in child & adolescent mental health work

• Integrating learning: case vignettes, personal action plan, course review