Which counseling approach is more likely used with young children compared to adolescents?

The chosen approach emphasizes opportunities for open-ended expression that allow for symbolic language, which is particularly effective when working with young children. Young children often do not have the verbal sophistication or cognitive skills to articulate their thoughts and feelings in the same way that adolescents can. Instead, they may express themselves better through play, art, or other non-verbal means that allow them to convey their experiences symbolically. This type of counseling creates a safe space for children to explore their emotions and thoughts while using mediums they are comfortable with, ultimately supporting their emotional and social development.

In contrast, older adolescents are generally more focused on cognitive processing and can engage in more abstract thinking, making techniques involving the consideration of potential consequences, replacing negative thoughts with positive self-talk, and developing action plans more applicable to their developmental stage. These approaches tend to require a level of verbal and cognitive maturity that young children have yet to fully develop. Thus, the use of open-ended expression with symbolic language is particularly well-suited for engaging with the younger demographic.