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.

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.

Elisa Gusmini is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, teaching on counselling and psychotherapy programmes with a focus on integrating diverse therapeutic modalities into cohesive clinical practice for professionals supporting children and young people's mental health.

Claire Harrison-Breed is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, where she delivers teaching across counselling and psychotherapy degrees and supports the integration of ecosystemic theory into practitioner training for those working with children and young people.

Ferdinando Salamino is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, contributing to counselling and psychotherapy education with particular attention to systemic and integrative frameworks that inform clinical work with children, young people, and their wider environments.

Matt Schofield is a senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, where he teaches on counselling and psychotherapy degrees and contributes to advancing integrative therapeutic models of practice for professionals working with children and young people.