The Accidental Counsellor Training :
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 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

 

 

Accidental Counsellor 2012 Prices

 

Price:

 

- Earlybird price $385 per person (valid for registrations at least 1 month prior to workshop date) 

- Regular Fee $485 per person (for registrations within 1 month of workshop date)
- Includes GST, morning tea and course materials.

(Note: Some venues also include lunch.)

 

Dates:

 

 

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

 

Time: 8.45am-3pm

 

Advanced Accidental Counsellor 2011

 

Dates:

 

 

Video Testimonials

 

 

Accidental Counsellor Dandenong Victoria

 

 

Testimonials

 

I've already applied some questioning techniques and the tapping with one of my students. It's really helped her to focus on what is really upsetting her and what she has control over changing. The miracle question helped a lot too. She thought I was crazy when I explained the tapping but she used it that night when she went home. She told me the next day that she felt like a goose but it helped! She also told another teacher about it too!

 

Sara Morgan
Visual Arts Teacher
Thomas Reddall High School

 

I have used strategies and techniques demonstrated and practised at the Accidental Counsellors course almost daily. The results have been amazing. No other professional development course I have undertaken has ever provided me with such techniques and skills that I use on a day to day basis. I thoroughly recommend this course.

 

Shane Duff
Mount Carmel Catholic High School

 

Hi Rocky, just a quick note on some unexpected success with the tapping (http://www.humanconnections.com.au/human-connections-what-is-eft-set-and-pet/ ). I was having difficulty with a significant proportion of a very restless and hyperactive class (year 7) one day - getting more frazzled by the second as all usual disciplinary steps were not working. I had a ‘light bulb’ moment - named the worst 6 offenders - took them outside - gave them the option of a lunchtime detention, or doing a 2 minute tapping exercise with me - they naturally chose the tapping, when we were finished - all I said was thank you - now go inside and do your work.  Every one of those 6 kids was focused and worked contentedly for the rest of the lesson. I was amazed - I had a young prac student at the time -and said to her "How was that!" - she replied "OMG! (Very young) - I'm going to be a tapping teacher!"

 

You may already be aware of this alternate application for the tapping, but I wasn't - it was incredible - some students now arrive at class with -"miss we really need some tapping before we start - we're really off today” I think its really significant that the students themselves - the types some teachers think enjoy being disruptive - recognised the difference in themselves. I now have it added to my bag of tricks for the classroom as well as the couch.

 

Happy for you to use the story Rocky – It’s such a great tool the more people who adopt it the better.  Like your Canberra teacher I have also used the tapping on my daughter. She is 8 years old and has Down Syndrome (and ADD and ODD symptoms) - I use tapping on her at bedtime (I conduct it on her) - she stops grinding her teeth within the first round and is usually asleep by the third! I am so grateful for it and constantly amazed at the amount of situations it is beneficial (I just need to keep remembering to apply it to myself more often).  Thanks again Rocky.

 

Cheers Louise Savins
Kadina High School

 

 

Hi Rocky,

 

Your course was very good I have put into practice many times and all of my year 11 and 12 students are tapping with great results.

 

I have been able to demonstrate your method with a head teacher and an angry student. I stepped in and used my new found skills to disarm the situation.

 

The result was great, the student calmed and said he was sorry and asked if he could return to class. The head teacher was shocked how well your system works, rather than all parties getting upset more and more.

 

Thank you again for a great course.

 

Paul Johnson
West Wallsend High School

 

Adelaide August 2011

 

I came along to the Accidental Counsellor Training hoping to build up my “bag of tricks” in order to help the kids and I definitely have a full bag! There’s a lot of stuff to unpack, but I’m looking forward to giving it a go.

 

Melissa Keen
Emmaus Christian College

 

Just a fabulous two days. A lot of information to digest but plenty of practice and support to get started.

 

Steve Pugh
Torrens Valley Christian School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was very useful with lots of tips.

 

Angela Moses
Salisbury East High School

 

Absolutely brilliant!

 

June Yam

 

Without a doubt the most practical based solution focussed workshop I’ve attended.

 

Noel Hernes
Roma Mitchell Secondary College

 

I’ve always really valued the importance of building relationships with students, but have felt inadequate when they come to me for help. Now I feel much more empowered and confident – but I’m also quite overwhelmed by all of the ideas and strategies.

 

Rebecca Dal Santo
Emmaus Christian College

 

Canberra August 2011

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was a very informative two days that has given me a variety of strategies to deal with a range of different scenarios that were learnt through a very effective hands on approach.

 

Ashley Barnes
Karabar High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was a highly engaging and informative course.

 

Jo Lortan
St Mary Mackillop College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is very relevant and strategies are immediate and practical. I can see this will stop me going around in circles without finding solutions.

 

Lisa Plenty
St Clare's College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training – great thought provoking content…will use practice.

 

Jill Clarke
Braidwood Central

 

Thanks for presenting another way of looking at those difficult students we deal with every day.

 

Lis Mertens
Braidwood Central

 

Great approach to dealing with students, that focus on them.

 

Lee Rose
St. Mary Mackillop College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is one of the most useful professional developments for teachers.

 

Rhonda Apsey
St. Mary Mackillop College

 

Dandenong Victoria July 2011

 

Thank you so much. You have not only added a feather to my bow but also given me the confidence to do my job better!

 

Rocki Tahar
Sherbrooke Community School

 

I found the Accidental Counsellor Training really beneficial.

 

Janet Smith
Monterey Secondary College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is a full on two days, great input.

 

Alan Silverwood
Great Ryrie Public School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is a great course with lots of ideas to think about and try.

 

Barb Nicoll
Great Ryrie Public School

 

Thank you I enjoyed the two days.

 

Karen Macaulay
John Monash Science School

 

Rocky you have a lovely manner. I enjoyed the two days. I know I’ll use the skills from the Accidental Counsellor Training at home and at school.

 

Helen Peters
Osborne Primary School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is a thought provoking PD that has useful strategies in assisting effective counselling.

 

Han Mcaleese
Cranbourne Secondary College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was thoroughly enjoyable, especially the tapping technique which was most insightful.

 

Melinda Roy
Beaconhills College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is a very challenging but very eye opening and worthwhile. Sandy Burmas Cheltenham Secondary

 

Geelong Victoria July 2011

 

Rocky connects theory with practice that relates to today’s school environment / issues. Excellent professional development option.

 

Mark Westgraph
Mackillop College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is one of the very few valuable and worthwhile PD’s I’ve ever been to.

 

Mackillop College

 

Thanks Rocky the Accidental Counsellor Training was brilliant.

 

Luke James
Maitland Grossmann High

 

I would love my colleagues to attend your workshop.

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is very helpful and worthwhile.

 

Kerryn Wehrung
Mowbray College

 

Canberra June 2011

 

Thanks Rocky for a fantastic Accidental Counsellor course, relevant to teachers with lots of practical strategies.

 

Ivan Lloyd
Burgmann Anglican School

 

Thank you for a great 2 days, I learnt a lot I can take away and use.

 

Carlie Dwyer
Daramalan College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training introduced me to so many counselling techniques that I intend to use – especially mirroring and matching.

 

Susan Buchanan
Daramalan College

 

Thanks Rocky! I’m really excited about putting these methods into practise and further developing my skills when connecting with students in my care.

 

Brooke Deane
Merici College

 

The two day Accidental Counsellor Training that every teacher and parent should attend. The skills are practical and realistic for a school environment and the interactive workshop focus empowers you too feel confident to use the new skills. Thank You!

 

Cath Amesbury
Merici College

 

Rocky, thanks for an interesting and practical 2 days you are so easy to listen to…time flew!

 

Sarah Rose
Good Shepherd Primary

 

Thank you the Accidental Counsellor Training was most valuable.

 

Paula Geary
Goulbourn High School

 

Fantastic ideas – has joined many dots and explained sequential process. Thanks, Thanks, Thanks!

 

Joan Higginbotham
St Monica's Primary School

 

It’s great to leave a PD feeling you have practical and useful tools to make the world a better place.

 

Leonie Walker
Burgmann Anglican School

 

Thanks Rocky! I found all areas covered in the Accidental Counsellor Training extremely useful!

 

Sally Atkinson
Burgmann Anglican School

 

Albury June 2011

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was very useful – makes me feel like I have some theory and skills to back up what I do – not just stabbing in the dark.

 

Teresa Ellison
Albury Wodonga Community College

 

Thank you for the energetic presentation.

 

Mark Turner
The Scots School Albury

 

Thanks Rocky – Some great ideas relaxed but very informative presentation.

 

Stuart Morrison
Albury High

 

Very relevant and helpful strategies – thanks!

 

Belinda White
Wagga Wagga High School

 

Enthusiastic, energetic, energising and make it look do-able.

 

Jenni Hopkins
Wangratta High School

 

I enjoyed the way you presented and how you were able to explain different strategies by using personal experiences from your role as a teacher and school counsellor.

 

Paul Bell
West Wyalong High School

 

I now feel like I have some strategies that I can use to help address the issues of the students in my year group.

 

Heidi Burgess
Finley High School

 

I found the Accidental Counsellor Course very useful with lots of strategies that can be used in situations. Some of the strategies I currently use without knowing. Some of the strategies are great for boys.

 

Alexia Brown
Finley High School

 

A really excellent couple of days. very insightful.

 

Ron Barnewall
Wangratta High School

 

I enjoyed your passion, clarity, honesty and anecdotal stories – Thank you!

 

Vivienne Long
Wangratta High School

 

Dubbo June 2011

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training opened my eyes to what I need to do better and changed my mindset. The course provided good techniques, strategies and structure to dealing with children.

 

Vicki Gillmore
Lithgow Public School

 

An entertaining, practical workshop that addresses everyday issues – very relevant to my daily work. The skills from the Accidental Counsellor Training need to be delivered in teacher training.

 

Heather Thompson
Dubbo Public School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is a practical course. I could apply the information and techniques to students in my care.

 

Kerrie Walters
Dubbo College Senior Campus

 

The Accidental Counsellor training is very valuable for all teachers and welfare staff in schools. It provided practical structures required when dealing with my students.

 

Marisha Blanco
Dubbo College Senior Campus

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training allowed me to see how valuable it is to put yourself in the students shoes and how to use / phrase questions.

 

Tim Quayle
Dubbo School Of Distance Education

 

This course has helped me realise how to approach students when they are negative. So far it has been by the seat of my pants and this will give me more tools.

 

Susan Yaghjian
Dubbo College South Campus

 

Liverpool May 2011

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was fantastic and the most useful professional learning I have been to in regards to welfare and Year Advisor. Excellent practical strategies to assist teachers in connecting with and moving through solutions with students. This is the best training Year Adviser could ever do.

 

Kelly Mcgregor
Ambarvale High School

 

Excellent presentation and explanations. The practice enforced the content.

 

Michael Owen
Ambarvale High School

 

Rocky Biasi presented a number of really useful strategies in the Accidental Counsellor Training that could be easily implemented with students. A great blend of theoretical and practical work.

 

Simon Radford
Fairvale High School

 

I could relate the strategies in the Accidental Counsellor Training to my students and how I could implement with them.

 

Emily Hull
Fairvale High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was VERY USEFUL! It provided insight on many aspects of my job as Year Adviser.

 

Katherine Pardalis
Holsworthy High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training has allowed me to notice and identify central things that I’m doing that haven’t been working and given me reasons why and strategies on how I can approach it next time.

 

Sarah Kipichnikov
Bossley Park High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training gave me strategies & more confidence to deal with my students.

 

Stephen Clark
Bossley Park High School

 

Newcastle May 2011

 

Having been a Year Coordinator for 10 years and doing this on the run for years these are great tools to use.

 

Michael Rickards
Mackillop Catholic College Warnervale

 

Great strategies to deal with students in many situations. Valuable information.

 

Jodene Garside
HT Welfare Northlakes High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training has helped me build confidence and given me ideas that can be immediately implemented in real situations.

 

Amy Thorpe
Hamilton South Public School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training is a different perspective to what we do each day.

 

Colin Mulhearn
St Paul’s High School

 

As a Year Advisor the Accidental Counsellor Training will help me with all student issues.

 

Paul Johnson
West Wallsend High School

 

A valuable course that addresses the specific needs of teachers as “Accidental Counsellors”.

 

Mark Jennings
Lake Munmorah Public School

 

Accidental Counsellor Training provided positive, solution and client focussed strategies.

 

John O’Callaghan
San Clemente High School

 

Very useful information and I will definitely use some of these strategies.

 

Stephen McLean
TLSC Berkeley Vale Campus

 

Perth April 2011

 

Absolutely the best P.D. I have had in this field. Great to receive / learn about practical strategies that can complement what I do and I realise how much I need to learn. Great to have the chance to reflect and role play to achieve improvement in outcomes for the kids.

 

Danielle Boss
St Marks

 

Really worthwhile and relevant to my role as a Head of Year. Thanks.

 

Craig Phillis
Aranmore Catholic College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training gave me confidence to use different techniques when assisting students.

 

Lyndsay Cardenia
St Norbert College

 

The Accidental Counsellor Training was absolutely useful. There was so much good stuff in a short time. I enjoyed the fast pace and interactive nature of the workshop.

 

Trudi Horler
Methodist Ladies College

 

I learnt a lot of useful skills in this course.

 

Barbara Meadows
Winthrop Baptist College

 

I found many of the concepts / ideas enlightening.

 

Nick Guard
Corpus Christi College

 

I found the workshop enjoyable and your interactice style kept things real and interesting.

 

Kylie Cranenburgh
Cyril Jackson Senior Campus

 

Very helpful and worthwhile for my role – practical and relevant. Thank you for two very interesting days.

 

Sue Tredget
Perth College

 

I did find the Accidental Counsellor Training useful. I came here to learn options to use in counselling students and I have them.

 

Leith Daniel
Kolbe Catholic College

 

Penrith November 2010

 

Very valuable course.

 

Stephen Screech
St. Marys Senior High School.

 

It’s great! The focus on skills not theories.

 

Amber Elliot
JJ Cahill Memorial High School

 

I really liked how this workshop was based around providing & practicing skills for real situations that occur. Rocky also made it very clear throughout the training the purpose and place for each. Working in groups I also fund it great collaborating with other staff, provided other examples and perspectives.

 

Emily Morey
JJ Cahill Memorial High School

 

Informative, entertaining and most importantly – useful and applicable.

Kevin McKenzie
Epping Boys High School

 

I feel like I have a mini tool kit for being a Year Advisor now.

 

Cronulla High School

 

A really useful, practical, real training – presented really well.

 

Prue Jessop
Georges River College - Penshurst Girls Campus

 

A wonderful practicle way of allowing students to realise their potential and increase their personal efficacy.

 

Melissa McMahon
North Sydney Girls High School

 

This has been one of the most useful Teacher Professional Learnings this year. Many techniques that can actually be used in my everyday interaction with students. Thanks.

 

Janice Edwards
Prairiewood High School

 

Tweed Heads November 2010

 

What an awesome course!

 

Bel Adam
South Grafton High School

 

Outstanding! Lots of practical ways to help our students develop resiliency and life skills! Thank You.

 

Linda McGregor
South Grafton High School

 

Great aid in the increasing need to support students.

 

Phil Brodie
Kadina High School

 

Fantastic. These are skills all educators inshould learn and develop.

 

Bradd Farrell
Kadina High School

 

I wish the course was more than 2 days! I’m looking forward to the opportunity to do the course again to reinforce the wonderful methods.

 

Deb Wild
Kyogle High School

 

Invaluable training for Year Advisors!

 

Vanessa Fraser
South Grafton High School

 

Motivating, excellent presenter – powerful strategies.

 

Judy Crethar
Casino High School

 

Liverpool June 2010

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop has given me other ways of dealing with different situations and to get to the base of the issue in student interviews.

 

Pina Lizzio
Holy Spirit College, Bellambi

 

I found the Accidental Counsellor Workshop challenging, liberating and the solution based delivery and resources made the choices you need to make in the role of coordinating student welfare very clear. I found it useful because it focused on the client finding the solution within their own frame of reference. It took pressure off and was aimed at empowering students.

 

Kevin Boyce
Casimir Catholic College

 

A beautiful two days that has provided me with the tools to work with my students with further care and love to assist them with their problems, so they can find their own solutions.

 

Michelle Omeros
St Euphemia College

 

One of the most relevant and useful professional learning courses I have done. Great to see that some strategies I’ve been using are real plus developing more strategies to assist my students and myself. Thanks Rocky

 

Louise Mulligan
Casuarina School

 

Informative and challenging. It’s a relief to know that I’m not expected to have a solution to every problem my students encounter.

 

Joe Elchaar
Casimir Catholic College

 

I found your examples and role-plays very useful and I have taken many skills away from the Accidental Counsellor Workshop. Especially understanding that my role doesn’t involve solving student’s problems. I have found that very useful. Thank you.

 

Melisa Patronaggio
St Johns Park High School

 

Albury August 2010

 

Thanks Rocky for your passionate and practical Accidental Counsellor Workshop. I think what we have learnt will make a difference to our work and life.

 

Christine Varker
Wooragee Primary School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop provided useful new strategies and was brilliantly delivered.

 

Michelle Klowss
Yarrawonga College P-12 - Primary Campus

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop is an extremely useful workshop. The range of techniques and theories provided scope for a variety of scenarios. An excellent “taste-test” of counselling principals, I would love to learn more! Thanks Rocky.

 

Amelia Bright
Mater Dei Catholic College

 

A truly brilliant professional development course. The Accidental Counsellor Workshop is the best course I have attended in my teaching career. It was informative and highly engaging.

 

Danielle Neilan
Finley High School

 

After attending the Accidental Counsellor Workshop I feel I will be able to approach student issues & meetings more comfortably.

 

Emily Scammell
Xavier High School

 

Thank you so much for showing me these really practical and useful strategies. I feel much more confident and comfortable in my role at school as a house coordinator. I feel I have more tools to help me fulfil this role more positively and effectively and I’m really looking forward to getting back to school to try some things out. I had a number of students pop into my head at various times throughout the two days as we went through the different strategies. This reinforced my thoughts that the Accidental Counsellor Workshop is useful and practical.

 

Also, it is obvious that you are passionate about this work which makes you a fantastic presenter and easy to engage with. All in all, very useful and enjoyable couple of days. Thanks Rocky.

 

Malina Matsinos
Xavier High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop provided great ideas & strategies – so much to take in – in such a short time. I am looking forward to reviewing what I have learnt – practicing and receiving your emails and messages.

 

 Isabelle Campbell
Moama Public School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop was the most well organised and presented professional development that I have been to. It makes me feel more confident to try new techniques with students and classes.

 

Kieran Davis
Finley High School 

 

Canberra August 2010

 

A stimulating, reality based presentation, which provided us with practical skills to use with real students.

 

Lois White
St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop was positive. The time went quickly. I learnt new skills and it reinforced that a lot of what I am already doing is good.

 

Trish Brown
St Clare's College, Canberra

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop is a great open minded course. It gives you great and useful tools that will help back at school. I can’t wait to trial them.

 

Kym Darmody
St Clare's College, Canberra

 

A motivating and enlightening workshop that reminds us of the important role of “teacher as counsellor” and the need to be skilled and informed to make the difference we are empowered to make.

 

Hari Stefopoulos
Campbell Primary School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop will be very helpful in my current role. As the strategies were introduced I was already imagining how I would use them with certain students and parents.

 

Megan Hasler
Jerrabomberra Public School

 

Parramatta September 2010

 

An eye-opening two days which has allowed me to see student issues from their frame of reference and use strategies to help students find their own solutions.

 

Natalija Milanovic
Bass High School

 

The Accidental Counsellor Workshop is excellent and beneficial to all teachers. Wonderful strategies, which would make a difference to our students.

 

Richard Mew
Conservatorium High School

 

One of the best professional development days I’ve been to. Being able to out into practice what we were learning through role playing was invaluable.

 

Natalie Beckman
Menai High School

 

A wonderful and practical workshop. I wish I had attended it much sooner.

 

Christine-Mary Keir
Georges River College Peakhurst Campus

 

Can be applied to everyday life and that solutions are possible and real.

 

Anna Rasztabiga
Mission Australia

 

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

 

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

 

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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