What Does the School’s Counselling Team Provide?
The Counselling Service at Culham has been operating successfully for ten years and has helped many students through difficult times.
The counsellors are happy to talk to you about anything that’s bothering you, however large or small you think the problem is and whether it’s related to your studies or your personal life. The counsellors try to listen to what you are really saying and respect your feelings.
The counsellors will not tell you what to do, but they can help you explore some of the options open to you. Counsellors know how difficult it can be to ask for help and talk about problems. They won’t mind if you find it hard to express your feelings or if you want to “let off steam”, cry or get angry.
What kind of concerns do students have who come to the Counselling Service?
Sometimes you may feel worried, depressed, confused or anxious, because of work or exams, difficulties at home, a broken relationship – or for no obvious reason at all. Many students find there are problems that they can’t discuss with family or friends – that’s what the team is here for…..the counsellors will not judge you or be shocked by what you want to discuss with them. There is a whole range of problems which students might wish to talk to a counsellor about.
Below are some examples of students’ concerns which have been discussed at counselling sessions:
- Exams and tests scare me
- I am behind with my work – who do I turn to?
- I can’t stop crying
- I can’t cope, no one understands me
What might I expect from counselling sessions?
Counselling is a private, purposeful conversation with a trained member of staff who will listen to you and think with you about the issues and help you find a way forward.
The counselling service will not normally pass on anything to class teachers, doctors, parents or anyone else without your permission. Occasionally, your counsellor may suggest that it could be helpful for you to see your doctor or class teacher, but whether you choose to is up to you.
Only in very exceptional circumstances, where someone could be at risk of serious harm, might a counselor consider breaking confidentiality.
|