Counselling
School Counselling Services
Our school counselling team:
Karen Walker is in school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Email: karen.walker@sd5.bc.ca
Sam Usher is in school on Monday afternoon and Friday morning
Email: sam.usher@sd5.bc.ca
Supporting Student Well-Being, Growth and Success
At Fernie Secondary School, we believe that every student deserves to feel safe, supported, connected and ready to learn. School counselling services support students in four important areas of their development: social, emotional, academic and career planning.
Our school counsellors provide a caring and respectful space where students can talk about their concerns, explore their feelings, ask questions, develop helpful skills and work through challenges. We work collaboratively with students, families, teachers and school staff to help each student build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.
How Can School Counselling Help?
Students experience many changes and challenges as they grow. School counselling can provide support with a variety of needs, including:
- Emotional well-being: Managing stress, anxiety, strong emotions, grief and other difficult experiences.
- Friendships and relationships: Navigating friendship challenges, peer pressure, conflict, communication and social skills.
- Personal growth: Building self-esteem, confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills and healthy coping strategies.
- School success: Developing organization, motivation, goal-setting and strategies for managing school-related stress.
- Transitions and change: Adjusting to a new school, changing grades, family changes or other significant life events.
- Belonging and inclusion: Promoting positive relationships, respect, acceptance and a safe, welcoming school environment.
- Additional support: Helping students and families connect with community resources or specialized services when needed.
Every student's situation is unique. Counselling support is tailored to the student's age, needs and circumstances.
What Does School Counselling Look Like?
Depending on the student's needs, counselling support may include:
Individual counselling
One-to-one conversations that give students an opportunity to share concerns, explore solutions and develop strategies for managing challenges.
Small-group support
Opportunities for students to learn and practise skills related to friendships, emotional regulation, confidence, communication and other shared needs.
Consultation and collaboration
Working with teachers, families and other school staff, as appropriate, to help create supportive learning environments and consistent strategies for student success.
Referrals and connections
When a student needs support beyond what the school can provide, the counsellor can help families explore appropriate community services and additional resources.
Who Can Access Counselling?
School counselling services are available to all students at Fernie Secondary School.
Students may be referred by a teacher, school administrator, parent or caregiver, or another school support professional. Students can also express their own interest in meeting with the counsellor.
How to Access School Counselling
Getting started is simple. Students and families can:
- Reach out to the school counsellor in-person, by phone, or by email.
- Contact the school office to make an appointment.
- Talk with a teacher or school administrator about accessing support.
- Talk with a Youth Care Worker or Indigenous Education Support Worker about accessing support.
The counsellor will work with the student and, when appropriate, their family and school team to determine what support may be most helpful.
Working Together to Support Students
Student well-being is a shared effort. Families, educators and school support staff all play an important role in helping young people feel understood, capable and connected.
We welcome communication with parents and caregivers who have concerns about their child's well-being, friendships, adjustment or school experience. Together, we can identify strengths, build on existing supports and develop strategies that help students thrive.