School counsellors have qualifications in both education and psychology. School counsellors can assist by counselling students, referring to external health agencies, liaising with teaching staff regarding difficulties affecting learning, and assessing student's learning and behaviour. School councellors can also assist in times of crisis.
The school counselling service is a confidential service and counsellors will check with students, (and parents or carers where relevant) before passing on information to others. Confidentiality will be maintained unless legal requirements (e.g. child protection legislation) overrride it. In the case of a student being at risk of significant harm, information is also shared in these instances.
The school counselling service can:
- support students who are worrying about school work, friends, getting in trouble at school or feeling down
- help parents and carers make decisions about their child's education
- assess a student's learning and behaviour
Students are able to refer themselves, or be recommended for referral by a teacher or parent.
Please refer to our Emotional Health at Pittwater High on our home page.
We have registered Counsellors available 5 days a week.
Counselling for families
The school counsellor can assist when families undergo a trauma or big change. Contact us to make an appointment. For information in community languages, see school counselling service.
Outside of the education system, free telephone counselling services are available to support families who may be going through a difficult time.
- Lifeline – 24-hour telephone counselling service. 13 11 14.
- Mensline Australia – 24-hour telephone counselling service for men. 1300 789 978.
- Parent line – 24-hour advice and information service. 1300 1300 52.
- Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
- Headspace
- 1800 Respect - National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service
- Child Youth Mental Health Services - NSW
- Raising Children - Mental Health & Physical Health
- Relationships Australia
- Avalon Youth Hub
- Butterfly Association - Support for eating disorders and body image issues.
- Brookvale Community Health
- Sydney Drug Education Counselling Centre