School Counsellors
SJPC School Counselling Service
For those new to SJPC or unfamiliar with the School Counselling service, we’d like to explain how the service operates and introduce ourselves. We now have 2 full times counsellors in Brad Poidevin and Kate Roberts (replacing Alee Isgro on maternity leave) who bring their own style of counselling and therapy. Kate has a wealth and variety of experience and being new to SJPC, features in this week's profile below.
About the SJPC School Counselling Service
- This is a free and confidential with-in school service open to all students.
- We provide intervention for a range of issues pertaining to youth including anxiety, low mood, social issues, social skills, family breakdown, anger management, peer pressure, bullying, self-confidence, resilience, stress reduction or questions about puberty, a diagnosis, mental health or life in general. Sometimes we just provide a non-judgement, safe and confidential space to talk and unload.
- We conduct risk assessments for students presenting with safety concerns.
- Although we don’t engage in family or parent counselling, we are very open to consult with parents on matters pertaining to their child such as behaviour, mental health, recent or possible diagnosis and help make appropriate referrals if needed.
- We typically operate on a short-term intervention model of 6-8 weeks per referral. A student may have several referrals during the year.
- As a registered psychologist, Brad is able conduct behavioural assessments and provide a report to help inform external practitioners if they are conducting diagnostic assessments.
- Being at the ‘coal face’ we can liaise with external supports and help implement strategies within the school setting.
Referral process
- Students can ask the School Counsellors directly or have a teacher or the LoSW pass on their request.
- Parents can make a request by contacting the school and asking to speak to one of the school counsellors.
- Parents can fill out a referral form downloaded through Compass under ‘School Documents’ - ‘Parents’ - ‘School Counsellors’. Send in per instructions on form. OR
- Contact us directly at bpoidevin@lism.catholic.edu.au or kate.roberts@lism.catholic.edu.au
- If the Leader of Student Wellbeing (LoSW) is aware of concerns, they may approach a student and/or parent and suggest school counsellor support.
- A student can request either a male or female counsellor.
Students under 14 years old require a signed parental consent form – available on request OR can be downloaded through Compass under ‘School Documents’ - ‘Parents’ - ‘School Counsellors’
School Counsellor Profile
Hi, my name is Kate Roberts and I am excited to be joining the team at St John Paul College. I grew up on the lovely mid north coast, but like many people my age, I moved to attend university. I went to Sydney University where I completed a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in psychology and anthropology) and Bachelor of Social Work (Hons). I also went on to complete a Masters of Social Work. At the conclusion of my studies, I worked in various roles both in the city and in regional areas.
I am the mother of three (now adult) children- Alastair, Hugo and Ingrid. When my children were young, my family and I lived overseas for a number of years and during that time I worked in both paid and voluntary positions in Nigeria, Brunei and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
In the last seven years I have worked in Sydney as a school / wellbeing counsellor in a number of Catholic schools (Parramatta Diocese). I have worked in a primary school, two different 'mainstream' high schools and a senior college that offered an alternative model of education and a 'second chance' to students who were disengaged from mainstream schooling.
My passion is anything related to social justice and I have a strong belief in the role education has in offering opportunities for a positive future. I love working with young people and think the next generation are amazing! However, being in high school today means facing challenges that were unimaginable when I was growing up.
It is such a privilege to work in this role, where I have the opportunity to walk alongside some incredible young people and support them to take their place in the world to do great things.
