College counsellors

Our College Counsellors, Ms Nat Ellis, and Mrs Taryn Hicks are based in the Presentation Centre.

WHAT DO THEY DO?
The College Counsellors offer services such as:

• Assessments (general mental health excluding diagnosis)
• Short-term/ crisis counselling support, to support students’ social and emotional wellbeing in an educational setting.
• Referrals to external services for ongoing and regular support of students and their families.
• Work closely with external services to best support students.
• Have a student reset area for students to utilise when required.
• Run in school wellbeing programs and support with the Keeping Safe Curriculum.
• Assist parents with school refusal and support for students to re-engage.
• Run Wellbeing Expos for students/ staff for knowledge of what local services are available to them.
• Organise parent presentations in house, delivered by external agencies/ services to support parents on a range of presenting issues.

HOW CAN I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
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Parents are asked in the first instance, where possible to ask their child to do a self-referral through the student portal, this will be sent directly to the counsellor’s inbox for review. This way we can have a snapshot of the concerns the student has and allocate according to urgency. If however you would like to make contact with the counsellors about your child you are able to email either of us at nat.ellis@cewa.edu.au or taryn.hicks@cewa.edu.au. We do prefer email contact so we can ensure no one falls through the cracks or is missed.

Students’ can self-refer to Counselling via the student portal or present to the PC and ask to organise an appointment time. Students if unsure can speak with their Director of Students about an appointment who can refer on their behalf.
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The Counselling staff will organise to meet with the student. This is usually arranged via school email address, and we request students to regularly check their inbox so if they do not hear from the team within 48 hours, re-submit referral or present to the PC. The Counsellors will aim to provide appointments to students within 7 business days, however response to crisis situations and those assessed as being in immediate need are prioritised and responded to within 24-48 hours (business days).

Confidentiality

Our students have a right to privacy and a safe environment to talk about their worries. Students are explained what confidentiality looks like and when their information may need to be shared, such as if the student is considered a risk to themselves or others. Further, if the information shared with us directly affects their wellbeing, then parents or carers will be contacted, and the student is informed of this where possible. In any other case parents may be contacted for consent of counselling dependant of the students age but otherwise are not routinely contacted. 

resources 

websites

Kids Helpline is a free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia.

A nationwide service that provides 24/7 telephone, video and online professional counselling to people who are affected by suicide.

headspace provides early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds, along with assistance in promoting young peoples' wellbeing.

A national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.

Youthbeyondblue aims to empower young people aged 12-25, their friends and those who care for them to respond to anxiety and depression. 

Dedicated to improving the lives of the Young Carers of Western Australia.

Reach Out is Australia's leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents. 

interactive website/apps

A not-for-profit organisation that works to make mindfulness medication accessible to all.

A movement of people committed to building a happier and more caring society. 

An interactive program designed to help improve wellbeing and reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in users.

The Office of the eSafety Commissioner is committed to empowering all Australians to have safer, more positive experiences online.

parenting online courses

Parenting Ideas, founded by Michael Grose one of Australia's leading parenting educators, uses a parenting approach for child development, to help you successfully raise confident, happy and resilient kids.