counsellortalk

There are moments in school counselling that stop you in your tracks. A teen sits across from you and says: “I want to leave… but he says he’ll hurt himself if I do.” And then comes another layer: “Parents or others say I shouldn’t leave because he needs me right now.” At first glance, this sounds like compassion. But underneath it… there is risk. Let’s talk about it—clearly, honestly, and in a way that helps both teens and the adults who care about them. When Caring Turns Into Pressure Teens...

As a school counsellor, you are often the first one. The first one a student trusts. The first one who really listens. The first one who sees what others have missed. And sometimes… the first one who helps change the direction of a life. You Might Be the First One To… • Sit with a student who has been told, over and over again, that they are not good enough—and quietly begin to help them believe something different • Be there when a young person shares who they truly are for the very first...

Even though I officially retired almost a decade ago, I still work on contracts and continue to spend time in schools as a counsellor. And honestly, there’s nothing quite like sitting with a student and helping them feel truly seen, heard, understood, and cared about. When a student says, “Thank you for really listening… no one has done that in a long time,” it’s a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Those moments — real, human, one-to-one connections — are where healing, trust, and...