In this book, I learned a good deal about the nature of counseling, how best to conduct counseling in order to be most helpful to those in need, and many of the programs that can by used to help children overcome their learning problems. There is a clear need both for ongoing counseling programs and for crisis intervention when that becomes necessary, and the guidance counselor needs to know how and when to make such an intervention and how to develop a number of ongoing programs that will serve the needs of the students. This book sets out the nature of the job and points to many of the kinds of actions that should be taken, those that should be avoided, and how the counselor can best serve his or her charges in a manner both effective and legal. The book clearly shows the many different elements to be considered in performing this job, and knowing what the job entails is the first and vital step in knowing where one needs more research and more education in order to do the best job possible.
The section on crisis intervention was especially affirming because it suggested the importance of this field in addressing important issues in the lives of young people. The sheer number of potential crises is a bit daunting, but what is affirming is to know that there is something that can be done to help. Some crises can be foreseen and perhaps avoided, which is the most beneficial approach of all. Others, however, will develop without warning and will require intervention as soon as possible. Clearly, intervention done properly can give those acing the crisis a sense of hope that they have the help they need to overcome the problem. An important issue is that the counselor has to understand that young children do not always have the cognitive awareness necessary to understand the implications of a crisis or to act as they should in the face of a crisis. The counselor can fill in the gaps by helping the child face the c...