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Red Deer Catholic investing in School / Teacher Counsellors

Feb 11, 2018 | 9:06 AM

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools is continuing to make investments in its School / Teacher Counsellor models.

District officials say while some other school divisions are going away from those models, Red Deer Catholic is putting more resources into School / Teacher Counsellors education by helping them receive their masters in counselling.

According to officials, being in the schools, School / Teacher Counsellors have the ability to personally connect with students, parents and staff. Allowing the Counsellors to be in tune with the school environment and continually assess and aid with students’ social and emotional needs.

At Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools, counsellors have access to immediate clinical support through the division’s Mental Health Consultant, who is a Registered Clinical Psychologist.

The services they offer include group and individual sessions for parents and students, referring students and their families to resources in the community, including more intensive therapy and teaching universal strategies to classes on resilience, self-regulation, building relationships and awareness on the effects of drugs.

Other services include bringing in outside presenters such as guest speakers from Suicide Information and Education Services and coping strategies and problem solving skills for students.