Differences between an Adolescent and an

Adult & quality of a good

Counsellor for Adolescents

Symbolic stages of life

Children Adolescent Adult

? ?

Childhood First human life

period, from birth to Adolescents.

[children are considered to be small, naive, ignorant]

Adolescence The age that follows

childhood and precede Adult age immediately after puberty.

Almost from 12 to 18 for girls, 14 to 20 yrs for boys)

[Adolescents are considered to be children, youths, small men or women]

Adult Is said to be a human

being who has came to the end of growth

Adult age, in a man. At the end of adolescence and at the beginning of old age

[Adults are considered to be ripe, mature, wise]

Adolescents in our societies We shouldn’t do as if they don’t exist We should not try to do every thing in

the place of adolescents We should guide them to take decisions

by themselves Even if they were to be considered as

blinds, the blinds have options. They take decisions as to where to go and they are guided.

Do adolescents have any specific counselling needs?

Adolescents’ specific needs on counselling (1)

Adolescents became very sensitive if they are been treated like children, ignorant, those who need to be educated.

They are afraid that their secrets are not well kept and that their parents or others might later on be informed

They hate moralising and enhancing attitudes

Adolescents’ specific needs in counselling (2)

Adolescents want: To be respected, Express in their own language their

problems and their experiences. To be addressed in a simple

language. Have possibilities to choose by

themselves. Take decisions themselves

Quality of a good counsellor for adolesecents

Aptitude to listen actively Showing interest for the Ado. problemBe patientBe available Be discreteHave some life experience (testimony)Respect confidentiality

Quality of a good counsellor for adolesecents -2

Kind Patient Discrete Polite Life experience Good behavior Jovial Ponctual Sympathetic devoted

Responsible (dressing)

Understanding Welcoming Bold Faithful Exemplary life Attentive Sociable Humble Generous

Quality of a good counsellor for adolesecents -3

Friendly Have pleasure Lovely Truthful Good guide Not discriminate Reconciling Get concerned Conforting

Intelligent /wise Tactful

Thank you for your attention