Counselling Service

The Counselling Service is available to all students and members of the school community. The Counselling Service is there to provide confidential help and support. We aim to help students cope more effectively with pathway development and personal or emotional difficulties that may arise during their time at High school.

Counsellors are generally able to be contacted week days from 8.00am – 4:30pm during term time.

Making Appointments

Students:
Appointments can be booked:
· in person during open hours (Counsellor office)
· through Student Services
· via another member of staff
· by direct e-mail

Non-students:
Appointments can be booked through Front Office staff:
· in person during open hours
· by telephone: 83557000
· or contact through another member of staff
· or direct e-mail

In an Emergency

If you need to talk to someone urgently, or if you need emergency medical or psychiatric help, here are some suggestions of 24 hour services whom to contact:

Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 (freecall)
Parent Help Line 1300 364 100
Crises Care 131 611
Life Line 131 114
Youth Health Line 1300 131 719

What is counselling?

Counselling offers the opportunity to explore personal/work issues in a private setting with someone who understands confidentiality. Many students find that talking things over with a trained listener can offer a new perspective and help you find ways to deal positively with difficult decisions.

Counselling is a joint process that requires your motivation and active involvement. The counsellor will help you explore your feelings, thoughts and personal experiences in order to work towards finding your own solutions or the best way forward.

Counsellors are trained to be non-judgmental, reflective, and respectful of individual differences. All of the counsellors can offer professional support and expertise on a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties.

What can I talk about?

Any inquiry/problem, no matter how big or small, can be brought to the Counselling Service. Common concerns for students include pathway planning, organization strategies, academic pressures, panic attacks, problems with concentration, family and relationship difficulties, eating disorders, issues with self-esteem and confidence, depression, anxiety, bereavement, grievance or just take time to reflect.

Sometimes there isn’t a specific problem but you may simply want to talk about feeling unhappy or confused. You don’t have to be in crisis or at the end of your tether before you contact a counsellor.

How long does it last?

Some students attend only once and find this is enough. Others may need several sessions or return at different points throughout their years at high school. Every person’s particular situation is unique. Your counsellor will discuss with you what we can offer, given your personal circumstances and the resources available to us.

The counselling we offer is primarily time-limited. Students who need longer-term support may be encouraged to discuss with their GP the possibility of a specialist referral. We can also provide information about community counselling resources, or help you to find a private counsellor or local agency, if you prefer.

Is it confidential?

All of the help and support we offer remains confidential within the Counselling Service team. This means we do not disclose verbal or written information about you to others without your consent.

Confidentiality is, however, subject to certain legal constraints. There are also rare occasions when the rule of confidentiality might be waived, particularly when a Mandated Notification is required.

Do counsellors keep notes?

The Counselling Service may keep written information on meetings as part of good professional practice. Individual counsellors may keep written memory notes of ongoing counselling sessions and actions that have been agreed on. These records stay securely within the Counselling Service and are for our use only.

Concerned about a friend or partner?

The Counselling Service is occasionally contacted by students with concerns about a friend or partner.

Caring for an emotionally troubled friend can be stressful and upsetting. We are happy to offer a confidential consultation, which can help to clarify your concerns and decide how best to respond. A discussion with a counsellor can also help you to keep in mind your own limits and to know when to stop intervening.

If your friend or partner is also a student, and wants to see a counsellor, s/he should contact us directly. By making his or her own appointment, s/he will feel more committed and involved, and will be much more likely to keep the appointment.

Timing and motivation are both factors in the effectiveness of counselling. This means it is important that students book their own appointments and decide for themselves whether this is the right time to seek help.

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