Student Support Services: Counselling at School

Primary School Counselling

What does the LIS Primary School Counsellor do?

The counsellor is here to:

  • provide individual and small group counselling based on student needs
  • work with students to develop skills such as organisation, self-awareness, self-control, social competences, problem solving ability, and others
  • develop strategies with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed
  • offer educational sessions for classes about topics regarding the social-emotional  development of children (i.e. self-regulation, peer pressure…)
  • follow an open-door-policy during break times to support students who are in need of emotional support, conflict mediation or guidance in a calm and confidential environment
  • refer students and parents to resources outside the school for additional support if wanted

Secondary School Counselling

School counsellors coordinate ongoing systematic activities designed to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing plans for the future. In the Secondary School, topics include:

  • Social skills and healthy relationships
  • Test-taking strategies
  • Self-esteem and body image
  • Coping skills for anxiety
  • Emotional awareness and regulation
  • Time management and goal-setting
  • Transitions – new students, exiting students, and division to division
  • Third Culture Kids (TCK) issues

Responsive services are activities that meet the students’ immediate, unplanned, social and emotional needs. Usually necessitated by life changes, events and conditions (such as death, transition, divorce, fights with friends, etc.) in the students’ lives, these needs require consultation, counselling, referrals, and/or information. Responsive services comprise various activities, which are discussed in more detail below.

Counselling is provided for students experiencing difficulties dealing with relationships, personal concerns, or developmental issues, either in a small group or on an individual basis. Individual and small-group counselling helps students identify problems, causes, and possible consequences so they identify appropriate strategies and make beneficial choices.

Individual counselling can be initiated by the students themselves, or by the counsellor, in response to teacher or parent referrals. Such counselling is normally short term in nature (usually a maximum of around 10 sessions). Interviews with the student will determine future counselling action. When necessary, referrals are made to appropriate community resources, as available.

For small group counselling, the school counsellor requests referrals from form tutors and teachers. Small groups are needs-based interventions, and thus their frequency and timing depend on the particulars of the year group. Once the counsellor has compiled a list of referrals, students and invited and parental permission obtained. Small groups last usually between 6 – 10 weeks. Assessments at the beginning and end of each group give the students the chance to offer feedback on their experiences. These assessments also provide the counsellor with valuable data, with which the intervention’s success is measured, and adjustments to group planning made when necessary.

Crisis counselling provides intervention and follow-up. Counselling and support are provided to students, families, staff, and community members facing emergency situations. Such counselling is normally short term in nature, though it will require follow-up in the aftermath. When necessary, referrals are made to appropriate community resources, as available. Both school counsellors are integral in the LIS crisis intervention team.

In serving a population of international students, the counsellor often provides transition support to students who are moving in and out of the school/community. While some of this is embedded in small group counselling, additional support may be needed on an individual level.

Zeen is a next generation WordPress theme. It’s powerful, beautifully designed and comes with everything you need to engage your visitors and increase conversions.