For School Staff in Student Welfare Roles

A Solution-Focused Approach

 

Presented by Rocky Biasi, a school counsellor also in private practice and a clinical member of the Counsellors & Psychotherapists association of NSW

 

click here to register for the

Accidental Counsellor Workshop

 

 

Click here for Dates & Venues, Videos, further information and testimonials or scroll down the page.

 

Who are Accidental Counsellors?

Accidental Counsellors are teachers; pastoral coordinators (anyone involved in student welfare etc) who are not employed as counsellors, but often find they are placed in a counselling role by accident. This occurs as a result of issues or requests for help that arise from contact with students in the normal day to day duties teachers and coordinators undertake.

 

Who Should Attend?

This workshop, designed specifically for school staff in counselling roles ( i.e. School counsellors, year/house co-ordinators, chaplains, school nurses, Deputy Principals, etc) and will teach you an easily understandable and practical framework for effective counselling with school students. You'll be given a practical understanding of the counselling process, and have a chance to try out some key counselling techniques in a supportive environment.

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop Will Help You Provide More Effective Assistance to Your Students - Because you will learn:

• How to assess risk and protective factors in students’ at risk
• How to listen effectively, and help students to clarify their problems
  
• How to assist students to set goals and consider new possibilities
  
• How to focus students positively towards solutions
  
• How to help students to access their personal resources
  
• How to assist students to develop action plans and take positive action
  
• How to counsel upset or distressed students

 

The content related to each of the 6 outcomes above:

• Reflective listening and meta questioning to build rapport and uncover "surface structure" communication
• Solution Focused Brief Therapy patterns including, goal setting, uncovering exceptions, scaling questions and the "miracle question"
  
• Emotion Management Processes such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and reframing
  
• Basic Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to challenge negative thinking and beliefs (self-talk)

 

Overview of the Accidental Counsellor Training

 

2010 Dates:

Sydney, City - Term 1: Week 7, 11-12 March

The York Conference and Function Centre
Level 2, The Bowlers Club
95-99 York St Sydney NSW 2000 

Dandenong, Vic - Term 2, Week 1, 15-16 April

Ramada Encore Dandenong 
50-52 McCrae Street  
Dandenong, VIC 3175

Newcastle, NSW - Term 2, Week 2, 29-30 April

The Madison Motor Inn Charlestown
109 Madison Dr
Charlestown
Newcastle NSW 2290

Adelaide, SA - Term 2, Week 5, 20-21 May

Hotel Richmond
128 Rundle Mall
Adelaide
South Australia 5000 

Sydney, Liverpool - Term 2, Week 8, 10-11 June WORKSHOP FILLED

Liverpool Catholic Club 
Cnr Joadja & Hoxton Park Roads
Liverpool.

Albury, NSW - Term 3: Week 3, 2-3 August WORKSHOP FILLED

Commercial Club Albury
18 Dean St 
Albury, NSW

Canberra - Term 3, Week 3, 5-6 August WORKSHOP FILLED

Pilgrim House Conference Centre
69 Northbourne Ave
Canberra, ACT

Sydney, Parramatta - Term 3, Week 8, 9-10 Sept

Parramata RSL
Cnr Macquarie and O’Connell Streets
Parramatta NSW 2150

Tweed Heads, QLD - Term 4, Week 1, 7-8 October

Renaissance Room Twin Towns Services Club
Wharf Street, Tweed Heads NSW 2485

Sydney, Penrith - Term 4, Week 4, 4-5 November

Penrith RSL
8 Tindale Street
Penrith NSW 2750

If venue details are not listed below they will be released at least a month prior to the workshop.

Time: 8.45am-3pm

 

Price:

- $297 Earlybird price (valid for registrations at least 1 month prior to workshop date)
- $397 per person (for registrations within 1 month of workshop date)
- 5% discount if three or more teachers from the same school attend the same workshop together.
- Includes GST, morning tea and course materials.

(Note: Some venues also include lunch.)

 

Video Testimonials

 

Accidental Counsellor Dandenong Victoria

 

 

Testimonials

Rocky has put together a 2-day experience which will change a teachers perception of care and help.

He skillfully enpowers each of us to see the students problem in a new light and he gives us tools to develop rapport and confidence with the marginalised kids.

The workshop uses cutting-edge techniques and promotes peer support.

The 2 days are fun and engaging leaving us with a sense of we can do more for our charges and we have a framework for growing these skills.

Dr  Steve Zolezzi
Psycholgist and school counsellor

 

I have been impressed by Rocky’s keen observations of the human condition. His willingness to help others is informed by humility and a respectful intuition. He has worked hard over years in devising and teaching supportive programs that help students, clients and teachers; moreover, he “walks the walk” in his personal life.

I am pleased to call Rocky a colleague.

Dr David Lake M.B. B.S.
Medical practitioner, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor

 

Rocky’s programs empower teachers to better manage challenging behaviour and assist troubled students through practical behaviour management and crucial counseling skills. I highly recommend Rocky’s programs for teachers who find themselves thrown into the deep end of counseling without any training in the practical skills. What you learn could be a life-saver for you and your students.

Steve Wells
Psychologist, professional speaker and Peak Performance consultant

 

Sydney CBD March 2010

“Essential program for student carers that includes a systemic and evidence-based questioning techniques”. 

Anna Zantiotis  Assistant Head of Middle School Rockhampton Grammar School

 

“Very engaging and thought provoking workshop. Wish I’d been exposed to this 8 years ago when I became a Head of Year.”

Lynda Kennedy Year 8 coordinator Rockhampton Grammar School

 

“I wish I had done this workshop 5 years ago! (or before e.g. at Uni)!! Year  advisers should all be doing this course.”

Gaelle Homma Year Adviser Lucas Heights Community School

 

“The Accidental Counsellor Training will help me be a much better listener and be able to help students fins their own solution.”

Cristina da Costa Randwick Boys' High School

 

“Great in-service – the light forward in getting the solution from students – empowering them.”

Mick Bell Good Student Welfare Co-ordinator Samaritan Catholic College

 

“ Now I have tools and a clear set of steps with which to work.”

Sue Duffy Beverly Hills Girls High School

 

As a Year Advisor, without training in counselling techniques, it has been very beneficial gaining a “box of tricks” for use to be more effective in this role.”

Eva Gleeson Willoughby Girls High School

 

“This was an excellent course – gave insight into a way you can be more productive in dealing with students and staff.”

Claire Downey Plumpton High School

 

“ I found the workshop and practise sessions very useful. It has opened another more positive path for me in an attempt to help my students.”

Linh Pham Sefton High School

 

Dandenong Victoria April 2010

“Thankyou for the most valuable P.D. I have ever done.”

Sharon Sandy Welfare Officer Latrobe English Language Centre

 

“A wonderful P.D with fantastic strategies. Can’t wait to put them into practice!”

Susan Sleswick Welfare Officer

 

“I would definitely recomment this course to all teachers who want a better understanding of how to make a ‘realistic’ difference to the students we deal with on a day to day basis.”

Julie Skee Acting Vice Principal Newborough East Primary School

 

“Very practical P.D. Just so relevant to my role. The school examples were just great. It’s terrific Rocky, that you are working in schools, so you really have an extremely valuable insight into what we are dealing with. Your teaching experience before becoming a counsellor is just an added bonus. Thank you for your valuable knowledge and willingness to impart this to us. You have been so helpful. The 2 days have flown – thank you also for being so organised and having such a variety of different activities throughout this time. The small group experience allowed some great interaction between the participants and yourself. Keep doing what you are doing!!!

Lyn Pentland Welfare Officer/Counsellor Mossgiel Park Primary School

 

“I found this workshop so helpful. Great to learn new skills that can be easily applied back at school.”

Angela Connelly Mt Eliza Secondary College

 

“This PD was fantastic. I am leaving with so much more confidence. Thank you Rocky.”

Cindy Healy Welfare Officer Pakenham Consolidated School

 

Newcastle April 2010

“Thank you so much – the course was exceptional. I will certainly be using the techniques at our school.”

Jacki Lynch Senior College House Coordinator Central Coast Grammar School

 

“The two days passed very quickly due to the relevance of the material and the skills / strategies that were reviewed. Listening to, reflecting, matching the interviewee all reinforced in terms of importance. Scaffolding suggestions are useful. Its also encouraging to be reminded that we are not the experts or fonts of all wisdom. (which we should know but tend to take on too much in our well-being positions). Probably most influential point for me was the need as a counsellor to get rid of our own agendas and feel that the outcome must take a particular form”.

John Boesenberg Head of House System Central Coast Grammar School

 

“An extremely worthwhile way to spend two days. I can’t wait to implement some of the startegies learnt in this workshop.”

John Horsley Deputy Head of Senior College Central Coast Grammar School

 

“A course that should be compulsory for ALL year advisors and welfare staff.”

Mark McLennan Hunter River High

 

“ I will tell others about this course. I feel more equipped to face these situations.

Nathan Nieass Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College- The Entrance Campus

 

“Thankyou. Your Miracle Questions got me thinking”. 

Kara Osborne Cardiff High School

 

“Fantastic Experience! Any person involved in a welfare role should attend this course”.

Ingrid Rogers Head Teacher Welfare

 

“Outstanding, practical, realistic and DOABLE."

Karen McLeod Rutherford Technology High School

 

“Extremely useful. It has given me a new way to start my sessions with students – Thank you!

Vanessa Dean Head of House Hunter Valley Grammar School

 

“Excellent & liberating!

Francine Turner St Philps Christian College

 

Great two days, enjoyed meeting people with similar roles and a shared vision. Learning that as teachers we are not “Mr Fix it!” having the confidence & belief to understand that we can help using a variety of tools”.

Tess McAllister Gateshead West Primary School

 

“Very timely, necessary, and meaningful. Gave me a scaffold to be more effective with kids under very limited time constraints”.

Andrew Jenkinson Newcastle Grammar School

 

“This should be a must for every person who works with kids”.

Laura Hannah Maitland High School

 

Adelaide May 2010

“Thank you, Rocky, for sharing your expertise & helping us become better skilled to cope in our jobs. This workshop should be compulsory for anyone who works in a school environment. Rocky introduced us to, explained and then put into practice a variety of strategies which can be utilised to empower students to change their thinking patterns, image of themselves, and importantly, positively strengthen their belief/confidence in themselves.

When I attend a conference, I want to learn something new, that challenges my thinking. I also want practical skills that I can put into practice immediately and definitely received that in this workshop.

Bernadette Ward Head of House (Middle School) St Johns Grammar School)

 

“Excellent training, probably the most useful I’ve been to! I’m really looking forward to using the techniques as it has totally changed my thinking.”

Amy Barber Head of House (Middle School) St Johns Grammar School

 

“Over the two days I was given so many practical ideas to be more effective in my pastoral care coordinator position.”

Barbara Morrish Yr 12 Pastoral Coordinator Mary MacKillop College

 

“Great practical techniques and strategies that could make a difference!”

Danielle Verrilli Junior School Counsellor Saint Ignatius College Junior School

 

“Excellent delivery and useful, practical techniques framed in useful scenarios & examples. Realistic and illuminating.”

Julian Kluge Student Wellbeing Coordinator St Francis de Sales College

 

“ Experiential, tangible, practical, relevant and useful- many thanks.”

Ryan Clancy Year 11 and enrollment/counselling Thebarton Senior College

 

“The Accidental Counsellor Workshop gave me a different way to help students and get to the bottom of what is wrong”.

Wendy Dimopoulos SSO mentoring Pennington Primary School

 

“Fresh, different, practical. Can’t wait to try using the ideas Rocky gave us. He was easy to listen to and we got lots of practice and coaching from Rocky. Learn’t so much, I’d never heard of before. Well worth it – all teachers need to go”.

Jeanette Starick Secondary Girls Welfare Coordinator Torrens Valley Christian School

 

“An action packed 2 days filled with practical suggestions and tools for helping students come to terms with difficult issues they face at school”.

Stephen Pugh Middle School Coord, Boys' Welfare Torrens Valley Christian School

 

“ New ideas to take back to school. Affirming to be able to put a ‘label’ on strategies that are being used (without realising it)’.

Sharon Okmasich School Counsellor Hewett Primary School

 

Other Testimonials

Rob and I enjoyed the Accidental Counsellor training very much and in actual fact I had an opportunity to use some of the skills in a serious incident at school on the next day. I found it very helpful and easy to use in a stressful situation. I will be in touch about you coming to school for us next year. Thanks again it was an extremely valuable experience for me

Sue Dwyer
Boorowa Central School

 

I’ve been teaching for over 30 years in a pastoral capacity for most of that time. The Accidental Counsellor workshop has been really good because it has refreshed the way I look at things and given me, even after all that time, some new strategies about where to go, what to do and how to approach matters in working with student well-being.

John Foulcher
Head Senior School
Burgmann Anglican School

 

I think the Accidental Counsellor Course is a worthwhile course. You will learn new skills and tools that empower you to feel confident in dealing with student issues. It won’t make you a counsellor but it definitely will give you the skills to deal with student matters better and with more confidence.

Rob Daniels
Yr 7 Advisor

 

As a well-being officer I was unsure if this course was for me – within 15 minutes of the start knew that the Accidental Counsellor Training would help me in my role. The training is very practical, commonsense and something you could use in your school.

Anthony Brophy
Wefare Officer

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Accidental Counsellor Course, mostly because it has expanded my repertoire of skills to help the students in my care and I feel now that I will be better equipped to move my students’ forward with any issues that they are having.

Felicity Abbey
Year 7 Adviser

 

The following testimonials come from the York St Sydney Course February '09

" Excellent ideas for SA's - Great Learning." C. Standfield

" A variety of useful techniques that were applied to relevant examples and excellent modelling of skills by Rocky" Lara Tulevski

" The role - plays were extremely useful, it helped put the skills into practice. The information was clearly presented." Laila Comer

" I can be a bit of a sceptic but this course was one of the most useful and made me think about other approaches to helping kids." David Najdek

" This workshop provided some excellent real world methods to cope with troublesome students and speak to them in an effective way." Rosa Zulic

"This course gave practical strategies for improving communication with students with negative thoughts." Lindie Matthews

"Practical strategies and handouts that I can share with my welfare / student support team." N. Mulhearn

"An in touch presenter - outstanding workshop, real mind opening. Wow factor indeed." David Moss

" I was given a myriad of ideas to assist students to find their own solutions, rather than being given solutions." Penny Koutzas

"I'll be referring this course onto teachers from other schools." Paul Teunis

" Much better and easier to understand the second time around! Cheers." Melissa Musgrove

"Very practical, relevant and realistic. Delivered in an enthusiastic, engaging manner. The most useful aspect was having the theory modelled repeatedly by practical role-plays. Highly motivational, best in-service I've attended - will recommend to colleagues." Garry O'Niell

The following testimonials come from the Mantra Parramatta Course September '08

"The best course I've been to. I'm encouraging others from my staff to go to your next course. The strategies have been so helpful for me in lots of ways. Mainly I've been biting my tongue where I used to suggest answers to students and letting them come up with their own ideas. I have also just completed a 2-day lifeline suicide prevention course and all the things learnt from your course were confirmed in this course, which was also excellent! So thanks again for all the invaluable skills you gave me! I'm now contemplating whether I might retrain as a school counsellor as there is a shortage apparently. Hope to see you again soon, maybe at Cromer for another motivational session." All the best, Debbie Peters

"This was a terrific opportunity to learn all these techniques (all of which were very useful). I look forward to implementing all the things I have learned. Thank you." Chris Page

"A very practical and eye - opening course." John Williams

"The workshop challenged me to explore possibilities when working with challenging students. I really connected with the language of SFBT." John Bonello

"Invaluable methods impact confidence and not get involved with the problem." Elizabeth Cobden

"Rocky is an extraordinary presenter: in a short space of time he changes the way in which you approach a problem and provides you with the tools to confidently help others seek their own solutions." Ed Price

"This workshop enabled me to understand how to lead students to come up with their own solutions to their problems." Cathie Graydon

The workshop gave me some NEW ways to approach students

Very Practical

The Miracle Question in Solution Focused Therapy is fantastic

Very User friendly

The workshop supported/answered some questions specific to my role
Solution Focused Therapy, E.F.T & Meta questioning were awesome

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