I don't ever want to make assumptions about a child's home situation, so until I know a more accurate way to describe the adults who take care of them, I use the term "Big People" to be as inclusive as possible.
On this page, you will find information about:
Contacting me
The types of situations I may be able to support your child with
Consent for counselling services at school
Confidentiality in school counselling
Hopefully, this page will be a place for you to find answers to some of your questions. You may also find it helpful to view the page "What's Counselling?"
I am at KCA Monday through Friday, from September to June. This is a permanent position, and I plan to be at KCA for many years to come!
I am here to support your child to the best of my ability. If you think your child would benefit from meeting with me, or if you have a question or something that you would like to discuss, you can contact me via email at egaudet@gnspes.ca or by calling the school at 902-690-3840. I will get back to you as quickly as I can (generally within 48 hours).
The reasons a parent/guardian might want me to check in with their child are varied, and could include things like:
friendship concerns
academic concerns
grief and loss
safety concerns (e.g. risk-taking behaviours, self-injury)
a change in your child's life (e.g. divorce, moving to a new house, a mental health diagnosis, a new sibling)
planning for the future (e.g. choosing high-school courses, career planning)
worry about transitions (e.g. shifting from elementary school to middle school, moving to KCA from a different school, leaving KCA to go to another school)
Do you offer counselling support to parents/guardians?
While school counsellors do not provide individual counselling services for parents/guardians, here are some ways that I may be able to support you in navigating challenges involving your child:
I can meet with you and your child at the school to discuss concerns or conflicts in order to develop a plan for supporting your child at home and at school
I can be part of a team meeting with you and other adults at KCA to find ways to best support your child
I can make a referral for your child to meet with a school psychologist, or other helping professional
I can help you find a private practice/agency counsellor in the area who can support you in your role as a parent/guardian, or who can meet with you and your child for more long-term service, or more extensive family counselling
At school, students in grades Primary through Six must have the consent of their legal guardian to receive counselling services. While elementary students may meet with the Counsellor for an initial/isolated incident or services outside of a counselling relationship without parental consent, in most circumstances, services defined as a counselling relationship require that the Counsellor contact the parent/guardian to obtain consent for services.
In grades Seven and Eight, informed consent is given by students who are deemed capable of understanding the nature and scope of a counselling relationship. It is generally accepted that students from grade seven onward are able to give informed consent independently to participate in personal counselling sessions. However, there are instances where students in grade seven onward will require parental/guardian consent for counselling services; for example, those with a diminished capacity.
Please know that I always encourage students to involve their Big People to the extent that they are willing, regardless of age. We are stronger and more effective when we work together as a team.
Although many students who see me will have the consent of their legal guardian, there are limits to what I am allowed to share outside of the counselling room with a child's Big People. I always seek a child's consent to share with someone else, whether that is a parent/guardian, teacher, or administrator. There are a few specific instances where I would have to share information even without a child's consent:
If there is imminent danger to an identifiable third party or self
When a counsellor is aware of or suspects abuse or neglect of a minor (whether or not that individual is the one making the disclosure)
When a disclosure is ordered by a court
When a student requests disclosure to someone else (this is by far the most common reason)
When a student discloses involvement in any way in severely disruptive behaviour that is putting others at risk. Counsellors, as teachers, have a duty to report to an Administrator for investigation, any student engagement in severely disruptive behaviour, including bullying and cyberbullying, in accordance with Section 26 (l) of the Education Act. This is done to support the safety and well-being of students in an attempt to avoid harm.
Even in those circumstances, it would be my goal to involve the student in the discussion, and not to share information without their knowledge.
The main difference between these roles is that a school counsellor works in a school! I have the same training as other counsellors/therapists working in private practice or at an agency.
You can contact me via email at egaudet@gnspes.ca or by calling the school at 902-690-3840. I will get back to you as quickly as I can (generally within 48 hours).