Counselling

Counselling Support

Sometimes it is difficult to talk to parents, friends or teachers about things that are making us anxious. A counsellor is someone who you can talk to in a different way, someone who will listen to you very carefully, who will not judge you or tell you what to do.

Counselling is about helping you to work things out for yourself, making decisions and choices and helping you to look at things differently. It can help you to feel better about yourself.

Suzy Simnett is our Lead Counsellor and students can ask to see a counsellor, parents can request this or referrals may be made by Heads of Year.

During therapy, what you talk about is confidential. That means it’s between you and the counsellor. It’s your time and your space to be with someone who is there for you and nobody else. Obviously if you want to talk to anyone else about what you have discussed in the counselling session that is up to you. The counsellor will keep confidentiality unless you, or someone else, are at risk of harm. The counsellor may then need to talk to someone else to help keep you safe, but will always try to talk with you about this first. Every week, support staff will meet and discuss referrals and determine the appropriate interventions for you and action will be taken.

If you have any questions you are welcome to either speak with your counsellor or a member of the school staff.

There are also online groups you can access:-

If you are concerned about your mental health contact your GP or in emergencies call 999 or go to accident and emergency.

KOOTH FROM XENZONE – FREE, SAFE AND ANONYMOUS ONLINE COUNSELLING & SUPPORT

Kooth have been commissioned by our local authority to offer and provide this service to our students in addition to the counselling and support service provided in school. We understand that for some young people face-to-face counselling is not always their preferred choice of support. Kooth is safe, confidential, anonymous

Free at point of need and is available through a smart phone, tablet or computer.

XenZone helps to reduce wait times for young people seeking help and removes stigma around mental health. They integrate with face-to-face local services to ensure a seamless transition for young people. XenZone’s team of accredited counsellors, therapists and support workers provide guided outcome-focused help for each individual. XenZone works with local authorities, mental health trusts, charities and other organisations to provide early intervention support with clear escalation and de-escalation pathways. XenZone take safeguarding and clinical governance extremely seriously. The safety and well-being of their users is of their utmost priority. Service is provided 365 days a year up to 10.00pm.

Much of the self-help materials have been co-produced by young people. There are fully moderated peer-to-peer support forums and a personal goal-based journal. You can access the website using www.kooth.com so that you can view the process and outcomes for yourselves.

Greensward wish to present this service to our students by way of assemblies hosted by a team from Kooth. Our students will be have to self-refer after the event. If you have any concerns, please contact your child’s Head of Year or Mrs Simnett (school counsellor and student support worker).