Embedded Files
Counselling Services
Have you ever felt as if something is getting in the way of you living your life the way you would like to? Perhaps you have felt low or blue, or confused and overwhelmed. A counsellor can help you sort these things out. Your MRHS school counsellors are here to listen, provide support and help you make the best decisions possible for you. Sometimes students come to counselling for regular sessions for a period of time, or sometimes only once or twice.
Confidentiality and Informed Consent
A counselling relationship is built on trust and bound by a code of ethics (CCPA Code of Ethics). Whatever you share with the counsellor will be kept private. Counselling is also voluntary and with student consent (parental consent for students under 12 years old). Informed consent means that the process and purpose of counselling are fully explained to the student/parent, and that consent may be withdrawn at any stage. A counsellor is not allowed to share what you have discussed with anyone else—except for four special circumstances:
1. If you or someone you know is in danger of harm.
2. If you or someone you know needs protection from physical or sexual abuse, or neglect
3. If a court orders the counsellor to share what the client has expressed
4. If the client or someone they know has or plans to do something “severely disruptive to the school environment " (NS Education Act), e.g., threatening someone with a weapon.
Ms. Coombs and Ms. Henshaw are part of a team of people at MRHS who really care about students, including your teachers, principals and support staff. As school counsellors, their main concern is the emotional and social wellbeing of students at MRHS. The counsellors at MRHS speak to students about a wide range of issues including:
o Anxiety & depression
o Self-esteem
o Problems at school or home
o Relationships
o Conflicts & communication
o Personality development (identity)
o Anger & aggression
o Sexuality and sexual orientation
o Gender orientation/identity
o Abuse, neglect, rejection
o Substance use (drugs, alcohol)
o Bullying & harassment
o Stress and traumatic stress
o School refusal
o Bereavement (loss & grief)
o Illness and chronic pain
o Case management
o Liaison with outside agencies
o Referral
o Emotional Regulation
o Social Skills
o Resiliency and Coping
o School Anxiety (e.g., social, performance, separation)
o And more…
Referrals
Referrals for service can be made by a student, a parent or guardian, a member of school staff (teachers or administration), or from outside agencies such as Mental Health and Addictions or Schools Plus. Referrals can be done in person, by phone, or by email.
Tara Coombs
Grades 9-12
(902) 825-5357
Joy Henshaw
Grades P-8
(902) 825-5358
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