Meet YOUR Counsellor
What is my name?
Ms. Carter
What are 2 examples of reasons that a student might want to connect with the counsellor?
Stress/anxiety
Friendship issues
Conflicts at home
Needing to vent
Feeling "off"
Wanting to learn healthy coping skills
What is confidentiality?
Exceptions are if you tell me you want to hurt yourself or someone else, or if someone is hurting you
All of my feelings are okay
True! We can learn to name them and work through them. There are no bad feelings.
Where is my office located?
Upstairs, next to Ms. Harrison's new office.
What grades does your counselor work with?
Kindergarten through 4th grade. It's my first year in K!
What are three ways to get in touch with the school counsellor?
Let your parents know
Let your teacher/school staff know
Go to the counselling office during break
Leave a note under the counselling office door
If I need to talk, I can just leave my class.
False! Your teacher must know where you are going every time you leave the classroom. You will not be allowed to stay in my office if you leave class without permission.
How many children does your counsellor have?
Ms. Carter has 3 kids in grades 2, 4 and 11.
What are 2 examples of reasons that a student might want to connect with the counsellor?
Stress/anxiety
Friendship issues
Conflicts at home
Needing to vent
Feeling "off"
Wanting to learn healthy coping skills
One on One appointments aren't the only way the counsellor meets with kids. What is another type of counselling that happens at our school?
Small Group counselling
Whole class learning
The counsellor tells my adults at home what I say in her office.
False! Unless I am concerned about your safety or the safety of others, what you say in my office stays in my office.
How many years has Ms. Carter been a school counsellor?
4! This is my 4th year as a school counsellor and my 13th year working in schools.
Do I need permission from my adults at home to have ongoing counselling at school?
Yes. If you and I decide that ongoing counselling would be a good fit, we talk through what me asking for parental permission sounds.
The school counsellor helps students learn healthy coping skills. What are 2 examples of coping skills?
Coping skills are healthy ways people deal with the stressors that life throws at them.
Exercise
Laughing
Deep breathing
Colouring
Doing an activity that makes you feel good
Spending time with family or friends
I can talk to my counsellor about things that happen at school AND at home.
True!
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. Obviously.
Do I need permission from my adults at home to talk with the counsellor once?
No - I am available to support any student in the school if they are having a hard moment, a bad day or are in a mental health crisis.
What should you do if you would like to connect with the counsellor but the door is closed?
Put your name and homeroom on a post-it note and slide it under the door.
Go to the office if you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
You can only see your counsellor if it's a BIG problem.
False! We can work through big and small things. What may seem small may be big to others and vice versa.