In-School Counselling Service

Here to listen, not to judge

Counselling is a conversation with someone who is trained to listen and help you with issues such as stress, anxiety, low mood, anger, bullying, relationship or family difficulties, self harm or anything that doesn’t feel right and is causing you to be upset or distressed.

This conversation is private, confidential and the counsellor is there to listen, not to judge. A counselling session usually lasts for one period of the school day, and is done on a one to one basis. Sessions are usually a weekly commitment and last until you and your counsellor decide that it is OK to stop. We have measures in place to protect your privacy and confidentiality and these will be explained to you the first time you meet your counsellor.

Your counsellor may be qualified to work creatively, if that is something you would prefer, rather than simply talking. Although face to face work would always be preferable, we have recently developed ways to work online, as well as on the school premises. This means that you can still have access to a counsellor if, for any reason, you are not able to be in school. We are hoping to develop some group based work too, in the coming year, and this may be something you would find helpful.

The Stromness Academy In-School Counsellors is Kara, registered therapist, qualified to work with children and young people and offer a free and confidential service to all pupils.

Different ways that you can get the help and support of an In-School Counsellor:

• Ask your Guidance Teacher to make an appointment
• Ask someone else to be in touch and make an appointment e.g. a parent or carer, another teacher, a friend.
• Take one of our cards from school, fill in the back of it with your details, and put it in the secure box just outside the guidance base (the cards can be found there too).

If you would like to know more about the service please get in touch with Kara by email: kara.robinson-howard@glow.orkneyschools.org.uk