Abstract

In this practical and imaginative guide to counselling school-age young people Gudrun Sederholm draws on her 33 years' experience of working as a teacher, educational counsellor and education policy advisor.

She discusses methods that she has found to be effective in dealing with the concerns that students bring to school counsellors, such as exam choices, managing homework, school leaving and choosing a career, or emotional issues such as family communication difficulties, eating disorders, depression, sexuality, pregnancy, long-term illness and drug use. She also gives guidance for professionals on studying, training and supervision, and on how to build relationships with teachers and parents.

A parent herself and the writer of books for children, Gudrun Sederholm's insight and understanding provides guidance and inspiration to professionals - as well as to parents themselves - seeking to connect with and support young people.

Gudrun Helga Sederholm works as a school counsellor at a grammar school in Reykjavik, Iceland and is a trained social worker and youth counsellor. She has extensive experience of teaching in secondary schools in Denmark and Iceland and has been teaching social work students at the University of Iceland for several years. Heading committees for the Icelandic Ministry of Health, she has helped to develop their school counselling programme. She has also published books for children as well as numerous articles in the fields of teaching, counselling and child welfare.