Counselling Services

WELCOME TO SOUTH ISLAND SCHOOL COUNSELLING SERVICE

• SIS School Counsellor & School Social Worker
• We are here to listen and support YOU!
• Our school offers students two qualified counselors.

St John's Counselling Service 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. Most of all, we want to help others to help themselves.

Ms. Kamy Yeung, a registered social worker from the Hong Kong Children & Youth Services. 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."(Virginia Satir) and hopes to work together with people to find more choices in their lives. Apart from casework counselling, she can also offer programs like social skills training group, volunteer service training, joint-school social projects and community services to the students.

Contacting the counselor / School social worker

Any teacher or HOY can make an appointment with the counsellor. Self referral can also be made by contacting: 25257207 (SJCS) or 2240-6729(Senior Section office)

Kamy Yeung (School Social Worker) is available in school on Tuesdays & Fridays. She is in the Interview Room next to Year Heads Office. You can also reach her at 2761-1106 (HKCYS) or 9840-3402 (SIS mobile) or 2240-6775 (Section Administrator's Office).

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 year or Section Administrator for the arrangement. If you prefer total privacy email Kamy or St John's Counselling Service directly to make an appointment.
Or

What if I cannot come to attend

You should be responsible for getting your scheduled appointment on time. If you need to cancel, please let us know in advance either by telling your Tutor or Section Administrator(s) or by sending us an email as soon as possible and no later than 8am on the morning of your appointment. 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 (Kamy Yeung) 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).

HONG KONG RESOURCES

WORLD WIDE RESOURCES

Recommended Book Lists:

Books for Teens Issues

1. Andrew Matthews. Making Friends. Australia: Seashell, 1991.
2. Andrew Matthews. Being A Happy Teen. Australia: Seashell, 2001.
3. Coloroso, Barbara. The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander. New York: Harper Collins, 2003.
4. Cornelius, Helena & Shoshana Faire. Everyone Can Win: How to Resolve Conflict. Australia: Simon & Schuster, 1990.
5. Covey, Sean. The 7 habits of Highly Effective Teens. New York: Fireside,1998.
6. Covey, Sean. The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Eever Make. NY: Fireside, 2006.
7. Earl Hipp. Feed Your Head: Some Excellent Stuff on Being Yourself. US: Hazelden, 1991.

Books on Parenting

1. Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk. NY: Perennial Currents, reprinted in 2004.
2. Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. How to Talk So Teens Will Listen & Listen So Teens Will Talk. NY: HarperCollins, 2005.
3. Covey, Stephen R. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families. U.K.: Simon & Schuster, 1999.
4. Dorothy Law Nolte & Rachel Harris. Children Learn What They Live: Parentinhg to inspire values. NY: Workman,1998.
5. Rod Wallace Kennedy, PhD. The Encouraging Parent. NY: Three Rivers Press, 2001.

Books on Character Education & Positive Thinking

1. Andrew Matthews. Follow Your Heart. Australia: Seashell, 1999.
2. Andrew Matthews. Happiness NOW! Australia: Seashell, 2005
3. Brooks, Robert B & Sam Goldstein. The Power of Resilience: achieving balance, confidence, and personal strength in your life. U.S.: McGraw-Hill, 2004.
4. Urban, Hal. Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things that Matter (4th Edition). U.S.: Fireside, 2002.
5. Urban, Hal. Choices That Change Lives. New York: Fireside, 2006.