What is Child Therapy?

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Child Therapy is a form of Child Counseling that addresses mental health states such as depression, anxiety, over eating, mental illness, and child therapy.   

Master’s Level versus Doctorate Level Child Therapy: Looking at Similarities and Differences 

Brittany Cephas

Walden University

COUN 8001:Foundations of Graduate Study in Counselor Education and Supervision

Dr. Melinda Haley 

December 12, 2021

Master’s Level versus Doctorate Level Child Therapy: Looking at Similarities and Differences 

The counseling field is relatively new among the helping professions (as cited in Woo et al., 2017). Over the past few decades, the counseling field has made strides to increase its awareness and help professionals establish their own identity (as cited in Woo et al., 2017). In the article, Professional Identity Development in Counseling Professionals, Woo et al. (2017) noted that the counseling field has a high chance of surviving when professionals develop an understanding of counseling roles related to ethical performance. Further, graduate level education is required for those who would aspire to pursue a career in the counseling field, whether providing clinical services or training counselors. According to Remley and Herlihy (2020), academics is vital for the counseling profession, and further noted that upper-level programs primarily focus on “demonstrated academic ability.”Additionally, this level of education can help to identify those students who have the “emotional stability and temperament to succeed as counselors.” Nonetheless, students training at the doctoral level in the counseling field may have advanced training that sets them apart from those in training at the master's level. In this paper, I will evaluate and compare three similarities and three differences between the roles and responsibilities of a master’s level practitioner and a doctoral level counselor educator and supervisor.

Post Work Similarities 

The first similarity of master level practitioners and doctoral counselor educators is they are both mental health professionals trained to offer counseling services in a variety of settings. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, 2021) confirmed that mental health professionals serve to help clients reach their goals. And, further reported that counseling “professionals work in inpatient facilities, such as general hospitals and psychiatric facilities, and outpatient facilities, such as community mental health clinics, schools and private practices” (NAMI, 2017).Further, Spann (2021) articulated that a “mental health counselor assesses and treats mental and emotional health disorders, relationship issues and life challenges.” Using various techniques of therapy, professionals in the field of counseling work with clients to create behavior changes through teaching coping strategies that will better help navigating life’s struggles (Spann, 2021). In the same manner, doctoral level counselor educators work in similar settings. They are also trained to evaluate a person’s mental health using clinical therapy methods (NAMI, 2017). 

Second, ethical and legal concerns occur in the counseling field that may impact practitioners and counselor educators (Remley & Herlihy, 2020). Therefore, master-level professionals and doctoral counselor educators have an obligation to uphold the welfare of their clients. Professionals at both levels are expected to uphold the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) Code of Ethics (Remley & Herlihy, 2020). The ACA Code of Ethics describes the ethical behavior and responsibility to which counselors aspire and provide direction for fulfilling those ethical responsibilities. For example, the ACA explained that informed consent is ‘freedom to choose whether to enter into or remain in a counseling relationship and the need for adequate information about the counseling process and the counselor.’Counselors are obligated to review in writing and verbally with clients the rights and responsibilities of both counselors and clients (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2021 ). Informed consent occurs throughout the counseling process, and it is significant that counselors properly document conversations of informed consent throughout the counseling relationship. 

Third, both level professionals may function as supervisors or trainers to master-level students seeking to advance in the field. Doctoral-level counselor educators serve as faculty members (supporting graduate level students to further pursue their career goals), as well as consultants and supervisors (Remley & Herlihy, 2020). Further, Remley and Herlihy (2020) expressed that “counselor educators must make students aware of the ethical standards of the counseling profession and their responsibilities to the profession.” In addition, the Department of Health and Hygiene noted the roles and responsibilities of master-level board approved supervisors. One role being to ensure that a supervisee has read and is knowledgeable of the Code of Ethics.

Post work differences of Child Therapy

The first difference between a doctoral level counselor educator compared to a master's level practitioner is the training provided to students. Remley and Herlihy (2020) advised that counselor educators provide master’s-level students interested in obtaining doctoral education with advanced competencies in classroom instruction. Moreover, doctoral counselor educators equip master-level students with knowledge about clinical practice, supervision, research and leadership, so that the students serve as future leaders for the profession of counselor education in academic positions (as cited in Remley & Herlihy, 2022). 

Second, one must meet professional and educational requirements in order to advise master-level students in training to become doctoral-level counselor educators. Remley and Herlihy (2022) reports a study reviewed by Bodenhorn et al., 2014 that examined the requirements and preferences listed in doctoral-level counselor education faculty position postings. Research results displayed 83% of assistant and associate professor position announcements listed having ‘clinical experience following their master’s program and prior to their doctoral program’ or licensure, as a required or preferred qualification (as quoted in Remley & Herlihy, 2022). Nonetheless, in addition to obtaining a doctoral-level degree in counselor  

Many parents who are searching for child speech therapy often attempt child therapy first because it will help draw out the proper behaviors. 

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Child play is a grounded relationship between develops through focuses on environment and the therapist recognizes empathically what exactly child therapy is. Therapeutic content can otherwise showcase the need for extreme therapy practices but it can also help understand if child therapy is effective, and ultimately  what is the importance of child counseling. Parents want to know what a child therapist does and if they effectively help the situation. Being in business for three years we can see that this is the case. We are able to service hundreds of kids throughout the Maryland area. We also offer parenting therapy to parents who want to learn the best ways to handle their children. Outlined are some principles that are needed moving forward. First, listen to the child. Second, listen to the child, third, you guessed right, listen to the child. It is important to do this because if you do not listen to your children through child therapy, how will they grow. 

This is an article on what is child therapy? What is child counseling?