Guidance Counsellor

The Guidance Counsellor at Havelock North High School is Gaye Evans-Love. Gaye has worked as a school guidance counsellor since 1997 and has been at Havelock North High School since 2004.

Gaye is a member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) and

- is professionally qualified

- attends ongoing professional development

- has regular clinical supervision

- works from a set of rules called a 'Code of Ethics'

- is regularly appraised (has an annual certificate of practice)

Gaye welcomes any inquiries from parents/caregivers. Although issues such as confidentiality need to be adhered to, efforts are made to work together wherever possible to address issues of concern.

Phone: (06) 877 8129 ext 726 or 027 285 0259

Email contact: el@hnhs.school.nz

Students can also fill in a form which they leave in the locked box (both of which are located in the porch of her prefab). Gaye will send for the student when she has an appointment time available.

What Happens in Counselling?

Counselling provides an opportunity for students to talk about problems and concerns in a safe place with someone who will support them.

A School Guidance Counsellor is someone:

whom students can trust and be open with
who listens carefully and sensitively
who is non-judgemental and will not blame the student for the problem
who will try and see things from the student’s point of view
who encourages students to make their own decisions
who will support students in any changes they decide to make
who will offer to refer students to other help if necessary

Some reasons why students see the Guidance Counsellor:

having trouble getting on with someone
parents going through separation
help balancing school and other commitments
want help with study have health problems
wondering if there are alternatives to school
concerned about career options
feeling sad or lonely
are having probems at home a death or tragedy in the home or community.

How Counselling can help - A Counsellor can help students to:

improve how they feel about themselves
think about things in new ways
do things differently
reduce stress
open new options or directions
plan and set goals
explore thoughts, feelings and behaviour
get to know themselves better
improve relationships
resolve issues of concern

Confidentiality

School Guidance Counsellors who belong to NZAC are bound to confidentiality. This means not telling anyone about students’ private information without their permission or knowledge. Counsellors may need to talk through how best to support students. At times this could include involving someone else, with the student’s knowledge and permission. Very rarely, when a student or someone else is in serious danger, counsellors cannot keep this confidential, because of their duty to prevent harm. If at all possible they will talk this through with the student before acting.

Guidance Programmes

These are organised by Gaye Evans-Love (Guidance Counsellor) each year depending on demand and resources available. They may include group activities around issues such as grief and loss, healthy relationships, self esteem, and managing conflict. We also have a public health nurse available to see students once a week for any health related concerns. Sessions are confidential although students are encouraged to share any concerns they have with their families. We also take referrals for vision and hearing concerns. Gaye is happy to share information about support available or link in with other community support if appropriate.