Working with Schools

As an experienced school counsellor, I know that schools are strongly committed to meeting the individual needs of students, preparing them for the future and supporting them to be the best they can be. I also know that school staff are under more pressure than ever before to ensure success for all. With all this going on, it can be hard to support students whose mental health challenges often affect all aspects of their school life

Students who show signs of anxiety, stress or depression, or who have had difficult life experiences (including bullying, divorce and separation, bereavement, special needs or disabilities, and issues to do with gender and sexuality), can find it a challenge to engage with learning and relate to their peers, teachers and other school staff.  Research has shown that counselling has a very positive impact on young people, students feel happier, less anxious and have more confidence. They are more able to focus on their learning, improving their attendance and educational attainment. (Rupani, Houghey, Cooper (2012). “The impact of school based counselling on young people’s capacity to study and learn”. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling).

My vision is to make a positive difference to the wellbeing, mental health and future prospects of all young people aged 11+, to schools and to teachers and to teaching assistants and pastoral staff. I’m here to help schools help their students to be more resilient, to be happier, to be able to achieve their full potential and to be able to enjoy positive mental health and wellbeing

What I can offer schools

I work in three main ways:

• offering counselling directly to your pupils
• offering bespoke training to school staff on INSET days or at twilight training sessions
• supporting schools through mental health consultancy

Benefits of school-based counselling

School-based counselling can provide both early intervention and work preventatively to support students with issues that could include:

• anxiety
• bereavement
• parental separation and family problems
• self-harm
• poor self-confidence or self-esteem
• persistent low mood
• anger and acting out
• stress
• exam pressure
• friendship and relationship issues  

I offer a service which will be totally flexible to the needs of your school. I can work as a school counsellor for anything from a minimum of three hours to three days per week, either on a time-limited basis (12 week minimum) or on an open-ended arrangement.  As well as working directly with students, I can contribute my expertise on child and adolescent mental health to the wider school community.

I am a qualified counsellor, and specialise in young people's emotional well-being. As well as talking therapy and CBT, I use creative arts (such as sand trays, paint and clay) in order to help young people explore and talk about their feelings.