Not many secondary schools offer one-to-one counselling, however, they may offer pastoral support to children using other figures within school such as mentors, and or tutors, to help guide students with any troubles or challenges they may face. But how much of a difference can a school counsellor make, support-wise, to pupils? The answer is a great deal. School counsellor, Ms O’Donnell, who has worked at West Hatch High school since September 2011, and who was formerly a school teacher, then an Integrative counsellor - has found her job truly ‘rewarding’.

Speaking to Ms O’Donnell, it was quite evident to see her dedication and commitment towards her role within the school. She says she feels that “counselling can be helpful for whoever is in need to talk, about any issues.”

High school years typically bring along many different kinds of stress and anxiety, and sometimes the transition from teen years into adulthood can be difficult.

Problems and challenges may surface in many different shapes and forms; but what is important is how we cope with these challenges, and how we find solutions to our problems; simply by talking to someone willing to listen, can be a great help. West Hatch’s counselling service is offered to all years 7-13, as well as staff members, the sessions accommodate to the needs of all individuals, on a personal and emotional level.

There are many organizations which recognize the importance of children talking about their problems and expressing themselves. Time to Talk, organization, is one of them; it is England’s biggest ever attempt to end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems. The organization explains “being listened to, having the space to explore and giving yourself time for reflection will help you through to reach a deeper understanding; open the way to change, regain a sense of meaning and help you to manage your life better”.

Within school environment, mental health issues such as depression and stress are being better recognized and acknowledged as a real issue to be addressed, and students are gaining more knowledge about how they can help understand people with mental health problems. This insight for students is key because it allows them to identify and understand that it is okay to talk about problems, free from judgement or assumptions made.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, developed by American psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck, is a widely acknowledged approach to solving problems and is frequently used in therapeutic sessions. Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT focuses on the 'here and now' problems and difficulties. Instead of focusing on the causes of distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve state of mind of people in the present. .

Ms O’Donnell says that the reason why she finds counselling so rewarding as a career is because she can see how much simply listening to somebody can help them. She says “seeing a student progress in confidence and self-esteem, is really very rewarding, and seeing their transition, growth and development from just a couple of sessions, is truly amazing”.

When asked if counselling in the past had ever caused any ethical dilemmas for Ms O’Donnell she said “sometimes within my profession I have to evaluate the student’s situation in regards to their safety and protection first, but also fully respect their wishes of confidentiality”.

West Hatch’s investment into a counselling service has meant that children can come to a safe and open environment, where they can talk openly with confidentiality about any issues of school, home or personal life. Ms O’Donnell works four days per week, and sees to many students of different ages, genders and backgrounds. She incorporates various forms of communication and stress relief methods such as expression through art, dolls, sand boxes etc.

Recently the School has given the opportunity to students in years 11, 12 and 13 to act as mentors to year 7 students. Ms O’Donnell says “this gives not only the year 7’s extra guidance and support, but also benefits years 11 and 13 students to be more aware and empathetic towards younger students and some of the problems they may face such as settling into a new school life environment. This also ultimately creates a more caring and friendly school environment for children”.

Ms O’Donnell also says that she finds counselling can be helpful to many students because “whenever there is a counselling session I let the student take control of the direction of the conversation, and discuss what’s distressing them in that moment, I then work with what they give me, and every day is new and different for students. Whatever bothers them, I help them to unscramble their feelings and attitudes, and I help students to release any of their frustrations through talking the problem out loud”.

Finally, Ms O’Donnell says she “hopes to continue her work at West Hatch”, and wants to “continue to make a difference to students” many of whom rely on their weekly session with Ms O’Donnell.