ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses specific challenges that may lead to children or adolescents seeking services from a community mental health or school counselor. It examines a variety of family system disruptions including child maltreatment, children and adolescents impacted by divorce, children and adolescents of parents with substance use issues, children and adolescents in adoptive and foster families, and children and adolescents with incarcerated parents/caregivers. The chapter provides foundational knowledge on the topic, risk and protective factors for children and families, and intervention suggestions, while working with children and adolescents impacted by these specific circumstances. When counselors are working with children and adolescents who are survivors of mal-treatment or are currently experiencing maltreatment, there are three primary areas for treatment: the children’s needs; the families’ needs; and the parents’ needs. Children and adolescents with incarcerated caregivers can feel incredible shame and face social stigma.
