School Counselling Service
Following the review of St Columba’s College as a HealthPromotingSchool, a number of issues were identified.
One of the issues that arose for the pupils and some of the parents was the need for a school counselling service. We now have this in place. An independent counselling service is established with a counsellor in school 1 day per week, her name is Frances Rodgers.
So what is counselling?
The idea behind counselling has been around since people first started to use language. It is sharing problems in order to find solutions and receive support. Most people get this sort of support from family and friends, but sometimes it is helpful to talk things out with someone who is not involved in a personal way. Counselling usually takes place on a one-to-one basis. A counsellor and client will normally sit with one another for a half an hour to discuss any issues the individual may have.
Why do people go to counselling?
Counselling is not just for help with ‘big’ problems. In fact, small problems can develop into major issues if they are not dealt with. ‘Fixing’ the small or seemingly trivial problem early on can help avoid the ‘big’ problem. So counselling is for anyone who wants it, no matter what the problem.
There are some issues that frequently come up for young people, these include:
- Feeling Down• Mood Swings
- School difficulties• Managing anger
- Relationship breakdown• Drug and alcohol abuse
- Body image Bullying
- Family problems Bereavement
- Lack of Confidence
You can go to counselling even if you don’t know what the problem is. The counsellor is there to try to help you figure that out.
What happens if I go to counselling?
When you see the Counsellor you need to make an appointment.
You may decide yourself that you want to do so.
Your Form Teacher or Year Head may suggest that talking to the counsellor would be beneficial.
Your parents may suggest it.
[However, if you do not want to see the counsellor you will not be forced to do so]
You will be given a time to attend, this will be done privately.
The Counsellor will explain that whatever you say in the counselling room will be kept confidential. This means that the counsellor will not share anything that you have said with anyone else. The only time the counsellor would not be able to keep things confidential is when a young person tells the counsellor about them [or another young person] being in danger or at risk of being harmed in some way. In this case the counsellor would want to help the young person to protect themselves and they can decide together who needs to know.
When you meet the counsellor you might feel a little uneasy at first and unsure of what to expect. The first part of the session is about you and the counsellor getting to know each other. Once you feel a little more comfortable you might be able to talk about some of the things that have led to you feeling unhappy, worried or confused.
You do not have to talk about things until you feel you want to.
Counsellors know that it is difficult to talk to a strange adult and will not push you to share anything until you are ready.
Sometimes a young person might like the counsellor to help them to tell a parent something difficult. However, this will only happen if both you and the counsellor agree that this would be a good idea. At the end of the session the counsellor will usually ask if you found the session useful and whether you wish to return. If you do not wish to return that is fine and the counsellor will not be offended! If you do wish to return the counsellor will give you another appointment.
You do not have to attend any definite number of sessions.
You may want one, two or more sessions. Whatever works for you is acceptable.
How do I access the service?
You can either:
- Use the counselling post-box at the bottom of the stairs (beside blue bins); Just fill in your name, class and the date on the little slip and post it in the post-box.
Email the counsellor:
2.Send your name and class to and she will reply to you, providing a time.
3. Speak to Mrs Dumigan, who will pass your name on to the counsellor
[The counselling room is in the administration block, so it is quiet and private
What some young people have said about counselling:
‘Less stress on me’
Lifted my spirit and self-confidence’
‘Showed me how to express my feelings’
‘I am getting a lot more work done and not falling behind’
‘It’s good because it’s confidential’
‘I know there would be someone in school to talk to’
‘I gradually calmed down’
‘The feeling of relief is too precious to be embarrassed about’
‘I feel calm and collected’
‘The room feels secure’
‘It’s better than bottling my feelings up inside’
‘It presented me with a private forum to be myself and say what I wanted’