Comprehensive Guidance Comprehensive Guidance and Counselling at Beaver and Counselling at Beaver Bank Monarch and Beaver Bank Monarch and Beaver Bank Kinsac Elementaries.Bank Kinsac Elementaries.

Andrew Gosney, M.Ed., CCCAndrew Gosney, M.Ed., CCC

About MeAbout Me Grew up in Lower SackvilleGrew up in Lower Sackville Married with three Married with three

children: Catherine, children: Catherine, Connor and ElliotConnor and Elliot

Masters in Education Masters in Education (Counselling), 2007(Counselling), 2007

Professional Associations: Professional Associations: NSSCA, NSCCT, CCPA NSSCA, NSCCT, CCPA (CCC – Canadian Certified (CCC – Canadian Certified Counsellor)Counsellor)

Future goal to obtain RCT Future goal to obtain RCT with NSCCT and establish with NSCCT and establish private practiceprivate practice

Brief About CGCPBrief About CGCP

CGCP addresses outcomes in the following CGCP addresses outcomes in the following areas: Social, Personal, Academic and Careerareas: Social, Personal, Academic and Career

This is inclusive of typical one-on-one and This is inclusive of typical one-on-one and group counselling approachesgroup counselling approaches

Involves needs assessments from students Involves needs assessments from students staff and parents (coming soon!)staff and parents (coming soon!)

The program is evaluated annually and The program is evaluated annually and adjusted as neededadjusted as needed

It is a flexibly-rigid framework and is, It is a flexibly-rigid framework and is, therefore, a living programtherefore, a living program

Programming will include:Programming will include:

individual and group counselling individual and group counselling sessions for specific concernssessions for specific concerns

More generalized groups facilitated More generalized groups facilitated by the counsellor which address by the counsellor which address CGCP outcomes (i.e.: leadership, CGCP outcomes (i.e.: leadership, yoga themed, mindfulness, peer yoga themed, mindfulness, peer links, lego club, etc.)links, lego club, etc.)

Classroom based instruction Classroom based instruction

Some important pointsSome important points Counsellors are not administratorsCounsellors are not administrators Counsellors promote the betterment of the client/studentCounsellors promote the betterment of the client/student Counsellors are trained to listen, support, at times Counsellors are trained to listen, support, at times

challenge, facilitate access to outside resources/ agencies challenge, facilitate access to outside resources/ agencies as necessary, as well as, design programming specific to as necessary, as well as, design programming specific to a students needsa students needs

Counsellors are not trained to diagnose, fix problems, or Counsellors are not trained to diagnose, fix problems, or cure peoplecure people

““Confidentiality” is different from “privacy.” Confidentiality” is different from “privacy.” Please do not start an open discussion with the student Please do not start an open discussion with the student

about going to counselling. (children can get about going to counselling. (children can get embarrassed)embarrassed)

Important Points ContinuedImportant Points Continued I will walk the student to and from sessionsI will walk the student to and from sessions When in session, please do not knock. When in session, please do not knock. The counselling process is effective, but can be slow…The counselling process is effective, but can be slow…

please be patientplease be patient I will have a schedule, but it will be flexible. (i.e.: I will have a schedule, but it will be flexible. (i.e.:

students may need appointments moved, groups might students may need appointments moved, groups might need to be re-scheduled, sometimes at the minute or need to be re-scheduled, sometimes at the minute or without notice)without notice)

I will be making classroom orientation visits in I will be making classroom orientation visits in SeptemberSeptember

There is a referral process (not yet finalized, but VERY There is a referral process (not yet finalized, but VERY soon) Teachers are asked to make an SPT referral at this soon) Teachers are asked to make an SPT referral at this time. time.

Students may request a “mini-meeting” with the Students may request a “mini-meeting” with the counsellor (this is not the same a counselling session, but counsellor (this is not the same a counselling session, but may lead to counselling services)may lead to counselling services)

When to Refer?When to Refer? Serious behavioural/ personal/ social Serious behavioural/ personal/ social

issues (this will most likely go to SPT)issues (this will most likely go to SPT) Anything that you’ve already Anything that you’ve already

attempted to deal with and believe attempted to deal with and believe guidance support may be helpfulguidance support may be helpful

Repetitive issues Repetitive issues Excessive worry, stress, grief, poor Excessive worry, stress, grief, poor

academics, social skills, poor sleep,etc.academics, social skills, poor sleep,etc. Significant changes in behaviourSignificant changes in behaviour

When a Referral May not be When a Referral May not be NecessaryNecessary

Situations you’ve readily handled Situations you’ve readily handled without assistancewithout assistance

If in doubt just ask me or school If in doubt just ask me or school adminadmin

Final NoteFinal Note

Guidance to elementary is fairly new in Guidance to elementary is fairly new in this provincethis province

I’m coming from secondary to I’m coming from secondary to elementaryelementary

Any support you can provide to aid me Any support you can provide to aid me in my transition would be appreciated in my transition would be appreciated and humbly acceptedand humbly accepted

I look forward to working with you all!!I look forward to working with you all!!