Emotion Regulation in Children and Adolescents: A Practitioner's Guide

by Michael A. Southam-Gerow PhD

Overview

Emotion regulation difficulties are central to a range of clinical problems, yet many therapies for children and adolescents lack a focus on emotion and related skills. In a flexible modular format, this much-needed book presents cutting-edge strategies for helping children and adolescents understand and manage challenging emotional experiences. Each of the eight treatment modules can be used on its own or in conjunction with other therapies, and includes user-friendly case examples, sample dialogues, and engaging activities and games. Emotion-informed assessment and case conceptualization are also addressed. Reproducible handouts can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462508297
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	01/22/2013
Pages:	254
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Michael A. Southam-Gerow, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. His research focuses on the dissemination and implementation of psychological treatments for mental health problems in children and adolescents. He also studies emotion processes (such as emotion regulation) in children and adolescents, and treatment integrity. Dr. Southam-Gerow is a consultant for PracticeWise, a company offering training in evidence-informed approaches to children’s mental health care. He has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology and the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, has published dozens of scholarly papers, and is author of Emotion Regulation in Children and Adolescents: A Practitioner’s Guide and Exposure Therapy with Children and Adolescents.

Table of Contents

I. Background on Emotions and Emotion Regulation
1. Introduction
2. Conceptual Background: The Science of Emotions
3. Emotion-Related Assessment
4. Case Conceptualization: Using Functional Analysis to Define Problems and Identify Targets for Intervention
5. Treatment Planning: Combining Functional Analysis and Modularity
6. Final Considerations: Caregivers, Culture, and Engaging Challenging Clients
II. Treatment Modules
Module 1. Emotion Awareness Skills
Module 2. Emotion Understanding Skills
Module 3. Empathy Skills
Module 4. Emotion Regulation Skills I: Prevention Skills
Module 5. Emotion Regulation Skills II: Mastery
Module 6. Emotion Regulation Skills III: Expression Skills
Module 7. Emotion Regulation Skills IV: Basic Cognitive Skills
Module 8. Emotion Regulation Skills V: Emotion-Specific Cognitive Skills

Interviews

Clinical child/adolescent psychologists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, and school psychologists. May serve as a supplemental text in graduate-level courses.

Editorial Reviews

"The book meets a long-standing need with its thorough and clear explication of the role of emotions in evidence-based treatment. It is a gold mine of ideas. Southam-Gerow, an accomplished scientist and master cognitive-behavioral therapist, is a leader in the application of effective treatments in real-world clinical contexts. Anyone working with children who struggle with anxiety, depression, or anger will find this book eminently practical and a pleasure to read."—Bruce F. Chorpita, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles; President, PracticeWise

"Southam-Gerow expertly weaves together theoretical principles, empirical evidence, and clinical experience. He offers clearly explained, creative ways to identify and address problematic deficits in emotion regulation processes with children and adolescents. This hands-on guide, written from a behavioral perspective and derived from a strong evidence base, fills a notable gap in the field. It will be greatly appreciated by clinical child practitioners."—Janice L. Zeman, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, College of William and Mary

"This volume provides an impressive integration of the science of emotion and its clinical application. The book is versatile and will be useful to psychotherapy practitioners and students alike. The modular approach—suitable for young people experiencing a range of psychological difficulties—is especially valuable. I see this book becoming a 'go-to' resource for all clinicians working with school-age children and adolescents."—Cynthia Suveg, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Georgia

From the Publisher

This is an important book in that it presents many interesting strategies meant to increase the emotional competence of children and adolescents and offset skill deficits that can lead to emotion dysregulation. This book could be used as adjunctive reading in any graduate mental health training program focusing on children and adolescents. The modules are presented in a workmanlike fashion and follow sound reasoning in their sequence….This book will be a valuable addition to many practitioners’ libraries and, more importantly, the content will add many potentially effective strategies to those working with individuals with skill deficits in emotion regulation….This book can be recommended to any practitioner working with this population.

Child and Family Behavior Therapy