Counselling Services

WELCOME TO SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL COUNSELLING SERVICE

Our school offers students two qualified counselors who visit the school regularly. They are from: 

St John's Counselling Service (SJCS) provides our school with a fully trained counsellor who is trained to work with adolescents and behavioural issues. Students are able to receive support individually or in small groups. The service offers students ways of tackling such areas as self-esteem, anger management, communication skills and adolescent depression. They want to help others to help themselves. (Website: http://www.sjcshk.com)

Hong Kong Children & Youth Services (HKCYS) provides us a registered social worker, Miss Kamy Yeung. She enjoys working with adolescents and finds that everyone has the strengths to grow up. She believes that "the problem is not a problem but the coping is."(from Virginia Satir) and hopes to work together with people to find more choices in their lives. Apart from casework counselling, she also offers groups and programs like We-Serve community service Team, Anti-Drug Force Group, Obsessed Anti-cyber-bullying Group and various community services to the students. (Website: http://www.cys.org.hk)

Contacting the counselor / School social worker

You can either talk to your Tutor or House Head to make an appointment with the school social worker or counsellor. Self referral can also be made by contacting them directly. Parents are welcome to contact them for consultations or referrals. 

Miss Jackie Li (School Counsellor from SJCS) is available in school on Thursdays. You can also reach her at 2525-7207 (SJCS) or 2240-6703 (direct line at SIS) or send her email at jackie@sjcshk.com

Miss Kamy Yeung (School Social Worker from HKCYS) is available in school on Tuesdays & Fridays. You can also reach her at 2761-1106 (HKCYS) or 2240-6703 (direct line at SIS) or send her email at: counsellor@mail.sis.edu.hk  OR  kyeung@mail.sis.edu.hk

School Office: Counsellor’s Room (located just above the Foyer & at the end of Refectory, G/F of D Block)

School Counselling Information

What is counselling?

When you come for counselling, you have a chance to talk about whatever is going on for you, whether you have problems regarding home or school, or simply want to talk to and seek advice from. The counsellor will listen to you in a non-judgmental way and help you focus on the issues more clearly. S/he will respect your values, lifestyle and culture, and will work to help you make your own decisions, so that you feel stronger and more in control of your life.

Why see a counsellor?

Counselling, both individual and group, is helpful for a range of issues, such as:

•     Anger Management
•     Bullying
•     Courtship problems
•     Depression
•     Eating disorders
•     Family problems
•     Grief over the loss of someone special
•     Health Worries
•     Isolation
•     Physical, sexual or emotional abuse
•     Relationship problems
•     Stress
•     Self-esteem

Coming to see a counsellor is a positive step in trying to overcome your difficulties. Everyone has problems at points in their life, when they may need some professional support to help them through.

Confidentiality

All our work with students is confidential. Sometimes it is helpful that we agree to share some information with teaching staff and your parents in order to get you the support you might need, this is always done with your permission.

In rare circumstances, we may be required to widen confidentiality, when there appears to be a serious risk to your own or others' safety. In these circumstances, we would normally seek to speak to you first before contacting anyone else.

How to make an appointment

Please contact your Tutor or Head of House / Head of Family / Family Administrator.  If you prefer total privacy, you can just contact the School Social Worker or School Counsellor directly to make an appointment.

What if I cannot come to attend

You should be responsible for getting to your scheduled appointment on time. If you need to cancel, please let us know in advance either by telling your Tutor or Family Administrator or by sending us an email as soon as possible and no later than 8am on the morning of your appointment.  It will help us re-arrange meetings with other student in need. You may reschedule another appointment.

Support for parents

If your child is receiving counselling, you can help them by:

• Respecting their privacy and the confidential nature of counselling
• Try not to intrude on their experience but let them know you are available if they need to talk
• Limit your advice and guidance by encouraging your child to express what their feelings, needs and goals are
• Praise and encourage their strength in seeking help

Please feel free to contact our School Social Worker or School Counsellor if you require any help.  

If your child is not receiving counselling in school but you as parents feel you need help, you may check the resources from some non-government organizations or private counseling service centres for assistance. (Please refer to the Resources List below).

HONG KONG RESOURCES (updated at August 2012)