Counsellors

Katie Griff : Head of Counseling grf@northcote.school.nz 481 0141 ext 740 or 021 993 913 - during school hours only

Ko Katie Griff (she/her) tōku ingoa. I’m privileged to have worked with taiohi in schools for my whole professional life – firstly as a teacher and in management roles, before retraining and working as a counsellor for 15 years. As the Head of our wonderful Northcote College team of counsellors, I am passionate about how our therapeutic work as manaaki strengthens young people’s hononga to improve both their wellbeing and educational outcomes. As HoD, I am your first point of contact for making initial appointments – or to kōrero about any questions or concerns. I welcome your phone calls or emails.

Jared Edwards

Ko Jared Edwards (he/him) tōku ingoa. I have recently completed a Masters in Counselling, prior to which I was a Drama teacher, head of Performing Arts and year level Dean for a number of years. I appreciate every therapeutic kōrero is a privilege and I hope to work collaboratively with those who come to see me. When you come to counselling to talk about something difficult or what is bothering you, we will talk – as much as you want to – about what is happening for you. We will talk about your hopes, and we will also talk about what and who might support your hopes. As the stories of your life unfold, it may be easier to find out what matters to you, who has inspired you, and any steps you want to take next.

Jacqui Tohovaka (not in Wednesdays)

Ko Jacqui Tohovaka (she/her) tōku ingoa. I've been working here at Northcote College for three years and have over 15 years experience of working alongside rangatahi including other high schools and specialist youth health services. My style of supporting students is from a non-judgemental, respectful, collaborative and open approach.  I aim to work with people's strengths, skills and values, as well as finding approaches to challenges in a way that best suits the individual.  I really enjoy getting to know the students and it's an absolute privilege witnessing positive growth - no matter how big or small.  I look forward to meeting you soon! 

Judy Padrutt (not in Thursdays)

Ko Judy Padrutt (she/her) tōku ingoa. Originally from Switzerland, I've called Aotearoa home for the last 16 years. I'm a registered counsellor with a nursing background and I have been supporting rangatahi in schools across Auckland. My aim is to create a safe and welcoming therapeutic space where rangatahi feel comfortable exploring their experiences within a non-judgemental and holistic framework.

As school counsellors we are passionate about proactively supporting the wellbeing and safety of all young people at Northcote College.Through the principle of “Me ata tirohia ki te kate” - the problem is the problem, the person is not the problem” - we share a commitment to social justice and affirming diversity. We aim for therapeutic conversations which equip and empower your hauora so that you achieve your personal preferences and hopes for your life.

You can talk to your counsellor non-judgementally about anything at all - no issue or concern is too big or too small. Crucially, our conversations are private and confidential (unless there is a serious and imminent risk to safety): you have a right to make an appointment and talk with a counsellor without anyone knowing – whether at school or home. This is because, by law, young people in high school are considered young adults - which means you can make decisions and choices about your health. We also have strong links with an extensive network of external agencies in our wider community to whom we can refer young people - if longer-term and/or specialist expertise is appropriate. 

Counselling is a private and confidential service between the student and the counselling team.

There are legal exceptions to confidentiality in order to prevent harm and help keep students and others safe.  Below are situations where this may occur:

• They have self harmed or are going to harm themselves
• Someone has harmed the student or is going to harm them
• The student is going to harm someone else

OR

• The above is happening for someone else
• Please trust the counsellors have students’ best interests as a top priority and if any of this happens they would talk to the student about what happens next. 

NOTE: Sometimes the counsellors are asked by teachers, deans, nurses, friends or family to check a student’s safety or wellbeing.  If you find yourself in this situation, the counsellor will explain this to the student.

Please read on for more information about how counselling works at Northcote College - including answers to FAQ's and what to expect when you meet with one of the counselling team

• We talk to young people for many different reasons and can support in many different ways, for example but not limited to:
• Improving relationships – with self, friends and/or whānau [NB please make sure all whānau’s here have their macrons!]
• Finding ways to manage change of any sort
• Finding ways to manage life challenges (eg with grief and loss; stress and/or anxiety; alcohol and/or other drugs)
• Assessing for and making referrals to external specialist services
• Making safety plans for any identified risk
• Offering advocacy 

• You will see the same counsellor each time in order to get to know you better.  It also prevents you from having to repeat yourself to different counsellors 
• Appointments are held during school hours during class time
• The counsellors will update your attendance on Kamar
• Approximately 30 - 50 minutes long (but this can be longer or shorter depending on the need)
• If the appointment runs longer, it’s usually because there is a high need for support, so if you are waiting for your appointment and one of our counsellors has been delayed, one of the team will let you know as soon as they can
• Sessions are usually fortnightly, but can be weekly if needed and of course will be discussed with you directly
• You may need to see a different counsellor on the odd occasion if your allocated counsellor is not available or we need to check your safety

In your request, we will have asked you if your need is ‘urgent?’  If it’s urgent, then we will do our best to see you the same day or the day after.  Otherwise, generally we aim to see you within one week depending on counsellor availability.

If you are waiting and your concern becomes urgent, please email Katie Griff here and she will make the necessary arrangements.

Our counsellors have different styles, training and strengths.  You are most welcome to request a particular counsellor and we will do our best to connect you with them, but this sometimes depends on availability, so if they aren’t available and/or if there are safety needs to be checked, this will be with any counsellor.  

Some students ask if their caregivers/parents will know that they’re seeing a counsellor.  Counsellors do not routinely tell whānau that you are attending counselling sessions unless you consent, or unless you express concerns around harm to yourselves or others (see confidentiality information above).  

We encourage you to request your own appointments ahead of time, but if you believe a matter is urgent, you are welcome to walk in and ask to see Katie Griff.

It can take time to build trust with a counsellor especially when we are talking about difficult concerns.  This is really normal and part of the therapeutic process.  However, if you find you aren’t connecting with your counsellor and want to try another counsellor, we won’t be offended and will do our best to accommodate.  All you would need to do is either inform your counsellor, or email Katie Griff here.  We will link you with another counsellor in the team but please be aware there may be some delay if there is a wait list.

If you are away or for any reason you can’t make your scheduled appointment e.g. test, assignments, school trip, absent, please email your counsellor straight away so they can reschedule your appointment.  Communicating your absence will also allow us to offer the appointment time to another student.

We usually see students on their own due to confidentiality reasons, however, if you are particularly nervous or worried for your first session, you are welcome to bring a friend.   Please just let us know so we can make the necessary arrangements.  We often find after the first session, students are comfortable to continue on their own.  If there is a reason you need to bring another person to work through an issue, that is ok too, again please let us know.

Yes, we take notes and input them on our software system.  Your notes are confidential and only the counselling team has access to your notes.  Any questions about your notes, just ask Katie Griff here…

We would encourage any student who has concerns about another student to tell a teacher and/or their dean, who will then forward the information to us.  You can even tell us concerns for a student from another school.  

You are also welcome to talk with us directly and we can manage the concerns from there.  We will talk with you about how this can be confidential and we will make a decision about how to proceed.    

Remember confidentiality rules and exceptions apply with this situation too, but again we will talk you through this.  

We encourage you to speak with your whanau if it’s safe to do so.

• Emergency 111
• Need to Talk? free text 1737 - 24/7
• Youthline 0800 376 633 or text 234 - 24/7
• After hours mental health crisis 09 4868900
• Suicide Helpline 0508 TAUTOKO or 0508 828 865 - 24/7

If you would like to discuss any concerns about your young person - or have any questions - please contact HoD Katie Griff directly (Please make this a link to grf@northcote.school.nz) 

24/7 emergency help NOW - if you or someone else is in immediate danger - contact:

• Police and other emergency services - 111
• Mental Health Crisis Service - North Shore (09) 486 8900
• Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 or text (HELP) 4357
   

24/7 NON-emergency helplines: there is always someone to talk to:

• Oranga Tamariki - 0508 326 459
• Need to talk? - free call or text 1737
• Youthline - 0800 376 633, free text 234