YSU distinguished professor authors second edition of ‘Counseling Children and Adolescents’

Youngstown State University Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences and Counseling Victoria Kress has released the second edition of “Counseling Children and Adolescents,” a comprehensive textbook designed to better prepare counseling students and professionals to meet the complex mental health needs of young people.

Kress, a faculty member in the Beeghly College of Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education, said her approach to the book is rooted in both her personal background and professional experience.

“I often describe myself as a blue-colar girl from Cleveland, and that identity has really shaped how I approach this work,” she said. “I don’t see counseling as abstract or purely theoretical – I see it as deeply human and grounded in real life.”

The second edition builds on the foundation of the original text while addressing the evolving mental health landscape affecting children and adolescents. Expanded content includes trauma, exposure to violence, the impact of technology and social media, neurodiversity and culturally responsive care, with an emphasis on practical application in counseling settings.

“One of the biggest gaps is the space between knowing and doing,” Kress said. “A lot of books explain diagnoses well, but they don’t always help counselors understand how to sit with a client and respond in a meaningful way. This book really focuses on that moment.”

Her work at YSU played a central role in shaping the text, particularly through ongoing engagement with students and the surrounding community. Those experiences highlighted the need for more hands-on preparation and confidence-building in counselor training.

“My role keeps me very connected to both students and the community,” she said. “I see where students struggle, what they need more practice with, and where the disconnects are between training and real-world work.”

The textbook also reflects a strong YSU presence, with contributions from faculty, students and alumni. Their input helped ensure the material remains relevant, accessible and practical for those entering the field.

“The faculty brought depth and expertise, but students and alumni helped keep us honest,” she said. “At the end of the day, this is a book meant to be used – not just read – and their voices helped ensure that.”

The updated edition also responds to the rising mental health concerns among children and adolescents, including anxiety, depression and trauma, often compounded by family, community and social pressures. It emphasizes flexible, trauma-informed approaches to care.

“One of the key ideas we emphasize is viewing anxiety through a trauma-informed lens,” she said. “Rather than trying to fix or eliminate anxiety, we help young people understand it as a meaningful response to their experiences.”

In addition to supporting practitioners, the textbook is designed to strengthen counselor education programs, including those at YSU, by prioritizing experiential learning and authentic engagement.

“We need to focus more on helping students think and respond like counselors, not just memorize content,” she said.

Ultimately, the goal of the book is to help bridge the gap between knowledge and human connection in counseling.

“At the end of the day, what matters most is not having the perfect intervention – it’s being present with another person in a real way,” she said. “If this book helps people feel more grounded and connected in their work, then it has done what it was meant to do.”

Looking ahead, the field of child and adolescent counseling is expected to continue evolving toward more humanistic, trauma-informed and integrative approaches, with greater emphasis on lived experiences and the voices of young people.

“My hope is that this work contributes to preparing counselors who are not only skilled, but thoughtful, grounded and deeply connected to the people they serve,” Kress said.