Child
In professional counseling, a child is generally defined as any individual under the legal age of majority, typically under 18 years of age. The American Counseling Association (ACA) emphasizes that children are a vulnerable population requiring specialized ethical considerations, particularly regarding informed consent and confidentiality. Because a child's legal rights are usually held by a parent or guardian, counselors must balance the minor's right to "assent" (an age-appropriate agreement to participate) with the legal requirements of the guardian's consent. From a developmental perspective, counselors view a child through the lens of ongoing physical, cognitive, and emotional growth, ensuring that interventions are tailored to their specific life stage rather than treating them simply as "small adults."
