As part of the pastoral care program for students at Trinity Catholic College, students have access to a Student and Family Counselling service provided by CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn (CCG). CCG is contracted by Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG) to provide a counselling service to students and their families on site. There is no fee to access this service. The service offers short term counselling support (roughly up to six sessions per referral issue) to students and their families. The counsellor can also provide referrals for more complex issues requiring intensive or long term therapy/support.

The role of the counsellor is to focus on the emotional, social and educational well-being of the students. Counsellors welcome contact with students having difficulty with some part of their life, the problem does not have to be a big one. It is better to seek help sooner rather than later. Some typical concerns that counsellors work with include: anger, anxiety, behavioural problems, low mood, family changes/separation, grief and loss, learning and educational challenges, parenting challenges, peer and other social relationships, school avoidance, stress and study skills. As well as individual sessions with students, counsellors can run groups, consult with parents and teachers and make referrals to other services and supports.

Student and Family Counsellors subscribe to a set of professional ethics that include duty of care and respect for the individual rights to privacy and confidentiality. The counsellor’s obligation is to ensure the safety, wellbeing and confidentiality of the student they are working with. All counsellors are mandated to report any disclosure or sign of abuse (including self-harm) or neglect to Child Protection Services. Outside of our mandated requirements, all counselling sessions are confidential, and the details will not be discussed with other parties unless consent is given by the client.

How to make an appointment.

If your child was seen by the School Counsellor last year and you would like them to receive support in 2023, we require you to notify your child’s Year Coordinator or complete a new counselling registration form. Other questions or requests can be directed to your child’s Year Coordinator or to the Counsellors directly.

New referrals will need a registration form completed. Students or parents can discuss this with their year coordinator.                                                                 

Referral Link: https://catholiccare.force.com/housing/s/school-referral-form

Consent for Counselling

Parent consent for counselling continues to be required for all students under the age of 14 and will be sought and provided via email or phone call. Where parents are separated, we require the consent of both parents for children under the age of 14. Once the referral has been received, the school Counsellor will make contact with parents on their next available working day at Trinity.  

LINDA SCHEMBRI

My name is Linda Schembri and I joined the CatholicCare Student and Family Counselling team at the beginning of this year.

I hold a Master of Counselling and have a passion for working with young people and their families. I have a range of experience working with young people, including as a counsellor at one of our regional schools and at headspace, as well as being a support person for exchange students to ensure their wellbeing for the duration of their programs.

In my school counselling work, I provide short term client-centred support to students and their families drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Art Therapy, Strengths based, Mindfulness and Trauma informed approaches. For more complex issues, I also provide referrals and information/parent consultation.

I am at Trinity on Mondays and Tuesdays during each school term. As the school counsellor, feel free to touch base with any questions or concerns relating to the counselling service at the school.

I look forward to working with you and your school throughout 2023!

MADI BURNS