Learning

Northside Christian College's counselling team provides students with emotional, mental health, academic, and social support.

College Counsellors

Northside employs qualified and registered College Counsellors who are available to support students during term time in school hours for short-term, ad hoc and brief intervention counselling across Secondary School and Junior School.

As a counselling team, we provide collaborative support within the College community as needed. Mrs Lisa Baker (5 days) provides counselling support in the College for Secondary and Junior School students. Mr Josh Morrison (2 days) provides support in Secondary School alongside male students.

Although our counsellors may not be prominently seen in school life, they are present and active within the school community, supporting students, staff and parents.

Northside also employs a part-time School Chaplain – Wayne Knipe, who comes alongside our students to encourage & support them through conversation & prayer.

Referrals to College Counsellor

Junior School: All referrals should be made through Sam Heylen.

Secondary School: 

  • Staff can refer students directly to a Counsellor via email or through a Year Level Coordinator or Head of School. Or students can self-refer.
  • Students must be referred to a College Counsellor when this is the appropriate step in accordance with our Child Protection Policy.
  • Students should be referred to a College Counsellor when:

A staff member becomes aware that the student is facing an issue that is significantly negatively impacting that child’s ability to function effectively in the school environment and that a qualified counsellor could be reasonably expected to be able to provide support for.

Relevant issues would typically be related to:

  • A documented decrease in academic performance or significant underperformance
  • Difficulties with peer relationships
  • Physical or mental health challenges (diagnosed or undiagnosed)
  • Emotional or behavioural self-regulation difficulties
  • The child experiencing a traumatic event

Contact during term time during school hours, through main reception or via email:

Counsellors: College.Counsellor@northside.qld.edu.au

Mrs Lisa Baker: Lisa.Baker@northside.qld.edu.au

Mr Josh Morrison: Josh.Morrison@northside.qld.edu.au

Mr Sam Heylen (all Junior School referrals): Sam.Heylen@northside.qld.edu.au

Chaplain –Wayne Knipe: Wayne.Knipe@northside.qld.edu.au

Counselling support offered at Northside Christian College

Counselling may include a one-off discussion, brief intervention to deal with issues or gauge a student’s needs prior to recommending referral or further assessment, facilitating social/emotional learning and skill development.

Session duration can vary from up to 1 hour for initial counselling sessions, to 10 minute check-ins. Students can access counselling services by referral from a staff member, parent request, or for Secondary School students by self-referral. Details discussed are kept confidential unless of a serious nature or safety concerns which require reporting or further supportive action.

The College Counsellors, in consultation with supervisors, will exercise their professional judgement to prioritise appointments according to need.  

Referrals to outside providers

For ongoing longer-term, more complex or specialised counselling needs, it is recommended the student/parent/carer seek support from an external service provider. If a student is receiving external support, we may also be able to collaborate with the counsellor/psychologist to support the student at school. 

When the counsellor believes the student is suffering from an undiagnosed condition or a diagnosed condition which they are not receiving support for, the counsellor should contact the student’s parent or caregiver to recommend they seek further support.

The counsellor should contact a parent/caregiver to recommend that a student seek outside professional support when a student is seeking ongoing/frequent counselling support beyond the capacity that the College can reasonably provide or that which is appropriate to effectively support that child’s well-being, consistent with the Australian Counselling Association’s code of ethics.

Psychology, counselling & allied health service providers in surrounding suburbs

1. Mental Health Assessment by a GP/Doctor:

A mental health assessment can be provided, and if eligible, a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP) to access psychological services at a more affordable rate (Medicare rebates). GPs may refer you to or recommend psychologists or allied health services offering bulk billing. 

2. Securing a psychologist appointment (if waiting for availability): 

  1. Book appointments at multiple clinics
  2. Ask to be placed on their waiting list for cancellations
  3. Consider booking an online video consultation
  4. Families may be able to access an appointment through their workplace Employee Assistance Program 
  5. The Counselling Team occasionally receive emails from local psychologists/services to advise of available appointments or new start-up clinics. You are welcome to enquire about any relevant contact details.  

3. Service providers in surrounding suburbs:

Act for Kids - Flourish – Child and Family Therapy www.actforkids.com.au/services... Counselling for children, young people and their families who have experienced trauma or who are at risk of harm. Community referrals accepted. Service is free of charge.

Act for Kids - Integrated Therapy Services
www.actforkids.com.au/services... For behavioural, emotional and/or developmental difficulties due to trauma from abuse and neglect or who are at risk of harm. Speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and psychologists. 

ADHD Support Australia
https://www.adhdsupportaustral... 
Online resources & community support for everything ADHD. Online 6-week course ‘Parenting Children with ADHD’; Online 14-week program ‘PEERS Social Skills for Teens/Young Adults’ to teach social skills & social confidence; directory for ADHD Coaches: https://www.adhdsupportaustralia.com.au/listing-category/adhd-coach/   

Ahead Psychology Stafford
 www.aheadpsych.com.au/brisbane-psychology-contact-location

All About Kids Strathpine, Wooloowin, Telehealth
www.allaboutkids.com.au
Child and youth allied health services 

Ashgrove Community Care Ashgrove, Telehealth  https://www.ashgrovecommunitycare.org.au/
Counselling staff are professionally qualified, committed Christians who acknowledge the diversity of views, lifestyles and practices within the community.

Child and Adolescent Development Service North Lakes
www.caads.com.au/default.aspx

Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) Nundah, Strathpine, Keperra www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/service-mental-health-community-clinics  Children and young people up to 18yrs and families who may have complex mental health needs. 

Family and Child Connect - Family Community Support
https://www.familychildconnect...
 If your family is going through tough times, contact Family and Child Connect for free, unlimited and confidential advice to connect you to practical support for family and parenting challenges.

Foundations Counselling Centre Carseldine
www.foundationscounselling.com.au Services are provided by Christian consultants. Medicare rebates are available (with MHCP). 

Gnadenfrei Counselling and Psychology Kallangur
https://gnadenfreicounselling.com/ Christian counselling and psychology. The whole person can be engaged in the process of recovery and personal growth.

Growth Psychology Alderley
www.growthpsychology.com.au

Happy Minds Psychology Practice Ashgrove
https://www.happyminds.com.au/ Accept referrals for cognitive/learning assessments and art therapy 

Headspace  Nundah, Strathpine, Redcliffe, Indooroopilly, Woolloongabba www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/nundah 12yo to 25yo with mental health, general health, drug, alcohol, work and study concerns. Some services are bulk-billed with valid MHCP. 

Heart In Mind Grange
https://www.heartinmind.com.au...
Clinical psychologists who have a Christian faith.

Hills Family Support Services Everton Hills
http://hillschurch.org.au/community/#family Low-cost, professional Christian counselling for couples, individuals, and children. Hills sometimes offer free programs/short courses for young people (check Events on their website).

Mental Health Access Line 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255) A 24/7 confidential mental health telephone triage service that provides the first point of contact for public mental health services to Queenslanders.

My Mental Health - Safe Spaces  Bardon, Strathpine, Redcliffe, Caboolture https://mymentalhealth.org.au/safespaces For people experiencing emotional distress; friendly and welcoming support is provided in a safe environment, as an alternative to emergency departments. 

Nexus Care Everton Park, Sandgate
 https://www.nexuscare.com.au/ Provides support for families finding themselves in need of some help, through quality care programs and services to see people journey towards wholeness and a fresh start in life.

Open Minds Morayfield, Telehealth
www.openminds.org.au/services/psychology-and-counselling 

Q-Psych Psychologists Stafford Heights
www.qpsych.com.au  Psychology services for children and adults.

SANE www.sane.org
Supporting people who experience complex mental health issues through free digital & telehealth support services (peer support, counselling, community forums, peer-led groups, art & social groups).

Sandbag Community Centres & Services Sandgate & Bracken Ridge https://www.sandbag.org.au/ Free support is offered by connecting people to appropriate community activities, programs, and services (including free counselling).

Space Wellness Counselling Service Samford Valley
https://spacewellness.com.au/ A Christian Counsellor with over ten years experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and families. 

You Thrive  Everton Hills, North Lakes
www.youthrive.com.au Integrated therapy services.

Young Minds Network Services Stafford, The Gap, North Lakes, Redcliffe www.youngmindsnetwork.com.au  Psychologists and allied health clinicians.

Support contacts for students and parents

Additional Parenting Resources
SchoolTV Happy Families Dr Justin Coulson (Password is happynorcc) Michelle Mitchell Triple P Positive Parenting Hey Sigmund! Karen Young Raising Children Network eSafety

Confidentiality & Safety

Information shared by students in a counselling session is treated confidentially, unless of a serious nature or safety concerns which require reporting or further supportive action. Sometimes this may require liaising with other school staff to assist with counselling outcomes & student well-being needs.

Maintaining confidentiality of student matters is also balanced with duty of care & obligations of the school with information that may affect the health or well-being of a student. Queensland Law requires schools to report to relevant agencies all disclosures of significant harm made by students, as well as all suspicions of significant harm involving students.

Links to relevant NCC policies: