Individual Counseling
The Counseling Center offers individual counseling services to students who wish to discuss a variety of personal and educational concerns. The SJC Counseling Centre mainly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is very directive and briefer than most forms of therapy. However, in some cases Counselors may vary or combine forms of therapy depending on the nature of the case and on the student. Counseling sessions range from 8-12 per academic year for most students. In serious cases a student may exceed this set range, based on the nature of the case and guidelines for extension.
Groups Counselling
Throughout the academic year, various group counselling programs are offered throughout all divisions of St. John’ College. The types of groups the centre facilitates are dependent on the needs of each division. Each division’s needs are assessed at the beginning of the school year and based on those results groups are created accordingly. Two Counsellors generally work with a group.
Students are not limited to the number of group sessions they may attend as long as there is a genuine need and interest. They may join the group voluntarily or they may be placed in the groups by the Counsellor in response to referral by teachers, administrators and/or parents. In some cases a student may utilize both individual and group counselling. However, these cases must be reviewed by the Counselling Centre’s staff.
Peer Helpers
The peer help group in the High School is known as Peer Helpers. The peer helper is a high school student who assumes the role of a helping person with persons of approximately the same age who shares related values, experiences and lifestyles.
The Peer Helper’s Role
Peer Helpers subscribe to the following beliefs:
- Peer helping is an effective way of dealing with the issues faced by the students of St. John’s College High School.
- Other students’ right to dignity, self-development, and self-direction is to be respected.
- Peer Helpers must be role models for other students. (For example, stay away from drugs and violence)
- Peer Helpers must practice self-discipline at all times.
Peer Helpers attend regular training and also participate in a yearly training trip.
Statement of Purpose: To create an organized and disciplined set of 3rd and 4th formers who will be trained with basic peer helpers’ skills (communication skills - asking questions and active listening; assertive skills, conflict mediation; and confidentiality/decision making).
Believe It Or Not I Care
The peer help group in the Junior College School of Liberal Arts is known as B.I.O.N.I.C. – Believe It Or Not I Care. B.I.O.N.I.C. set outs to create an organized and disciplined set of first- and second-year School of Liberal Arts students who are adequately trained to assist their peers with various social and personal issues that may arise and who are also prepared to assist the Counsellors in providing psycho-educational information and workshops about social issues affecting the student body.
B.I.O.N.I.C members receive intensive training almost every Friday. In addition, there is a yearly training trip.
B.I.O.N.I.C members subscribe to the following beliefs:
- Peer counselling is an effective way of dealing with the issues faced by the students of SJC JUNIOR COLLEGE.
- Other students’ right to dignity, self-development, and self-direction is to be respected.
- B.I.O.N.I.C members are role models for other students. (For example, stay away from drugs.)
- B.I.O.N.I.C members strive to be of service to others for the good of the community.
Statement of Purpose: To create an organized and disciplined set of first- and second-year Junior College students who will be adequately trained to assist their peers with various social and personal issues that may arise and who will also be prepared to assist the Counsellors in providing psycho-educational information and workshops about social issues affecting the student body.
Psycho-educational Awareness Campaign
The Counselling Centre promotes “wellness” -- a positive approach to living in which you seek to achieve optimum levels of emotional/physical health, and healthy interpersonal relationships. Personal Wellness is promoted through various psycho-educational and awareness seminars for all four divisions. The campaign would comprise of presentations, guest speakers, banner competitions, variety shows, ribbon competition and rap, poetry completions and various other activities.
Presentation/Consultations
The Counselling Centre can provide psycho-educational presentations for faculty, staff and/or classes that may benefit from having a psychological perspective. These issues may range from conflict management to a managing a traumatic event within a class, department or division.
The SJC Counselling Centre provides confidential consultations to faculty, staff, administrators and parents who have concerns about specific students.
Parenting Classes
The Parenting Program encompasses information from various resources such as the book “Saving the Minds of our Young Boys”, an Active Parenting Kit and presentations from the National Drug Abuse Control Council. These sessions utilize videos, music and discussions. The program is facilitated by two counsellors. Both bring their psychology and counselling background and years of experiences in dealing with adolescents to this program.
The program allows parents to arm themselves with the skills to make the transition smooth for both parent and child. Parents have the opportunity to learn about current teen issues, solving problems together, how to disciplines their teens, building their teens’ sense of responsibility, communicating effectively, how to detect and prevent drug use and abuse, reinforcing their teens’ courage and inner strength.
