Personal Counselling

At Woodstock School Relationships Are Important

Our counsellors are here to listen and help with life’s challenges

Counselling offers a safe, confidential space where students can speak to a caring professional who will support and guide them as they process their challenges and learn more about themselves and others. Students turn to counselling support for concerns about homesickness, to enhance their communication skills, and to help in developing life-coping strategies. Counselling also supports and directs personal growth and addresses personal and social roadblocks. Students may wish to learn about their own psychological development, their personality type, and what motivates them. For many people the simple act of talking through a problem is enough to help in finding a solution. It’s not usual for any child to experience some anxiety and sadness as a normal part of growing up. But if anxiety and sadness become a roadblock in learning and adapting, our counsellors are available to help students resolve the confounding issues.

Personal Counselling Initiatives

PERSONAL (P) | SOCIAL (S) | HEALTH (H) | EDUCATION (E) LESSONS

PSHE is part of our comprehensive school guidance curriculum. We adhere to PSHE Association grade specific skills/topics and teach similar topics to all age groups. As PSHE is critical part of holistic development, we ensure that it’s taken with utmost sincerity and seriousness by all students.

PSYCHOEDUCATION IN GROUP SETTINGS

Our counsellors facilitate group discussions on topics related to student emotional well-being – bullying, relationships, age-appropriate sexual education, etc. – in settings such as homeroom, advisory meetings, and dorm programs to reach students at all levels.

PSHE – an effective method for psychoeducation of students regarding age-appropriate concerns, conducted by counsellors and a team of teachers trained in PSHE lessons and assessments
Homeroom and Advisory Meetings – counsellors present material unique to each grade, addressing issues of bullying, substance use/abuse, anxiety, and academic concerns, encouraging best behaviour
Dorm visits – counsellors regularly visit dorms to assess how students are bonding with each other and to address pertinent issues in this informal setting

“HEALTHY MIND-HEALTHY SCHOOL” INITIATIVE

Sessions for different grade levels through home room visits and dorm visits help build strong, trusting relationship with peers and provide space for open dialogue on various aspects of mental health. This program offers a needed platform for open conversations about mental health and attracts student attention.

“BE A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY” ANTI -BULLYING AWARENESS DAY

This initiative took place on campus as part of our Anti-bullying Awareness Day. Our Wellbeing Ambassadors organised poster making and slogan writing competitions based on the theme. Staff and students participated in the “Be a Buddy” quilt making activity. Early Years students took part in kindness and friendship colouring activities and made friendship bracelets. The message: Together we can make Woodstock a better, safer, and happier place.

RESPONSIVE CARE

Our counsellors must be available 24×7 in case of crisis, as students’ emotional needs and safety are the responsibility of their dorm parents, other members of the community, and their counsellors. Counsellors are always available to step in if self-harm or suicidal ideation are expressed.

MORE THAN COUNSELLING – A BUDDY IN A NON-DISCIPLINARY ROLE

We interact with students non-judgementally and maintain professional confidentiality while developing friendship relationships more so than disciplinary relationships with them. As a result we experience bonding and development of trust. Our counsellors contribute to academic and/or behavioural student monitoring meetings in a supportive, non-disciplinary role.

PARENT CONSULTANCY

Our counsellors meet with parents in Parent-Teacher Conferences and at other times to prepare mutualised plans for their children’s wellbeing. We’re ready to inform parents through established protocols if their children experience crises and to work with any behavioural concerns that arise.

OUTSIDE REFERRALS

Our counsellors liaise with external agencies, psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health therapists to address any student social-emotional issues needing extensive support. We work with a local psychiatrist at Landour Community Hospital who also responds to any emergencies. From our remote location, we also draw upon a support network of other doctors and psychiatrists in Delhi in case of emergency.

Mental Health Wellbeing Reports

2022

Spring Semester 2022

2023

Spring Semester 2023

Fall Semester 2023

Head of Personal Counselling

Binu Thomas holds master’s degrees in Psychology and Clinical Mental Health and a Post Graduate Diploma in Counseling and Family Therapy and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in the field of mental health. Prior to Woodstock, Binu worked with CAMH, Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital.

Drishti Bhasin is a counseling psychologist, a certified CBT & REBT Practitioner, and a guidance counselor. An alum of Lady Shri Ram College, DU and Christ University with a bachelors degree in Philosophy, a Masters in Psychology, and a post graduate diploma in guidance and counseling, she has been working in the field of mental health for more than nine years. Drishti is experienced in consulting, coaching, and counseling as well as working in hospitals and educational institutions.

Vepalu Dawhuo’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Divinity, a Diploma in Clinical Pastoral Counseling, and a Master’s in Counseling and Psychotherapy. She has also completed an Advanced Post Graduate Program in Counseling Psychology and Clinical Supervision involving 4,000 hours of rigorous training and supervision. With nearly a decade of experience in mental health, Vepalu is an adept trainer and compassionately skilled counselor.