The speaker will share over 30 years of experience providing counseling services to juveniles, including research findings on youth with mental health conditions and juvenile offenders. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions throughout the session.                                                 

The discussion will focus on delivering mental health services to minors, whether voluntary or court-mandated, covering the counseling process from initial screening to discharge. Special attention will be given to treatment planning, building trust, and addressing factors that can create barriers in the counselor-client relationship. The importance of culturally competent hiring practices will also be highlighted. Advocacy for at-risk youth and fair practices in court decisions and placements will be emphasized.

Learning objectives:

1. Introduce evidence-based techniques for counseling juveniles, considering developmental and age-specific needs.
2. Examine core counseling functions as they relate to juvenile populations.
3. Discuss strategies for building rapport and fostering trust in therapeutic relationships with youth.