A unified integrative model for counselling children and young people

Practitioners working with children and young people often draw from multiple therapeutic modalities without a coherent framework for integration. Ecosystemic Counselling with Children and Young People presents a single model that synthesises systemic, person-centred, cognitive-behavioural, and psychodynamic theories into one unified approach. Each chapter applies ecosystemic theory to practice through case vignettes and practical examples.

The book addresses specific presenting issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, self-harm, suicidality, anger, and behaviour difficulties. It examines how family dynamics, school environments, and social identity shape mental health outcomes, offering strategies for working with these factors. Coverage extends to neurodiversity, collaboration with partner agencies, and counsellor self-awareness within the ecosystemic framework.

Readers will also find:

• A unified theory of change that combines humanistic, cognitive, phenomenological, and psychodynamic principles into one integrative clinical framework
• Practical strategies for working with the interconnectedness of a child's psychological health and their wider social and environmental context
• Guidance on adapting ecosystemic interventions for neurodiverse clients, accounting for individual developmental profiles and cognitive processing differences
• Approaches for multi-agency collaboration that support holistic wellbeing across therapeutic, educational, and community settings for young clients
• Content grounded in three master's-level modules in children and young people's counselling, connecting academic rigour directly to clinical application

Designed for qualified therapists, mental health professionals, and trainee counsellors and psychotherapists, this book provides a structured integrative model applicable directly in clinical settings. By unifying established counselling modalities into a single ecosystemic framework, it equips practitioners to deliver holistic, theoretically grounded support to children and young people.

Claire Harrison-Breed is a gestalt psychotherapist and play therapist. She is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, teaching across counselling and psychotherapy degrees, specialising in working with trauma and dissociation in children and adults.

Elisa Gusmini is a systemic psychotherapist and senior lecturer at the University of Northampton. She specialises in teaching on counselling and psychotherapy programmes with a focus on integrating creative elements into a systemic approach.

Ferdinando Salamino has a PhD in Clinical Psychology, is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, and is the course lead of Systemic Family Practice at Oxford-Brookes University. He contributes to counselling and psychotherapy education with particular attention to systemic and integrative frameworks.

Matt Schofield is a child and adolescent psychotherapeutic counsellor and is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton. Matt has a particular interest in creative, play, and attachment informed approaches to working with children, young people, and their families.

Rick Murphy is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, where he teaches across counselling and psychotherapy degrees and contributes to the development of ecosystemic approaches within clinical training programmes for practitioners working with children and young people.