Student Life

Personal Counselling

Promoting Student Well-Being
Personal counselling is an integral component of the educational services provided by YHS. The main objective is to promote student well-being.

Personal Counselling at YHS

Our Senior School Counsellors offer personal counselling with a focus on health and wellness. Issues that may be addressed in counselling or in workshops include decision-making and problem-solving, emotional wellbeing and mental health, grief and loss, parent-adolescent conflict, relationship and communication difficulties, self-esteem, personal development, stress, substance use and misuse, sexual health and identity, etc.
 
Privacy and Confidentiality
Privacy and clear confidentiality guidelines are essential to having an effective school counselling program. Every effort will be made to protect student privacy rights except under certain limited conditions.
 
As mature minors, senior school students can access counselling on their own. What students share with their counsellor will remain confidential unless the student gives permission to share, or unless the counsellor is required by law or school policy to share. Grade 8 students will meet with our Middle School Counsellor while Grades 9-12 students will meet with our Senior School Counsellors.

These are the situations where information may be shared with parents and/or others:
  • If a student asks a counsellor to speak with someone else on their behalf or to give an individual information the student wishes them to have;
  • If a counsellor feels that the student or someone else may be in danger;
  • If a court orders the release of information;
  • If required by law; or
  • To consult with another professional person in confidence to try to find solutions or answers for the student.
 
During an annual cycle of progress meetings, grade level teachers and/or staff members of the School-Based Team may discuss concerns that they have regarding a student’s academic or socio-emotional well-being. These meetings help us to better support students by monitoring progress, highlighting successes, and addressing concerns. School Counsellors may follow up regarding their students to ensure that appropriate supports are in place to meet each student’s socio-emotional needs.

Accessing Personal Counselling

It is important that students and families understand that:
  • Students have the right to seek support from School Counsellors.
  • School Counsellors are not available before or after school hours, on the weekends, or on school holidays when classes are not in session.
  • There are some limits to privacy, as outlined above.
  • The School Counsellors will take brief notes of sessions to keep track of any goals or strategies discussed in counselling. These confidential notes are kept secured in the counsellor’s office.
  • There are limits to counselling services available at the school. A student may be referred to outside resources so that they may receive specialized support.

For more information on Personal Counselling, contact:
With respect, we acknowledge that the land on which we learn, play, and work is the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xwməѲkwəyəm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səlílwəta/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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