Welcome to Counselling at Thames High School | Te Kura Tuarua o te Kauaeranga.
Here, we embark on a collaborative journey and a shared commitment to nurturing a socially just and emotionally safe school environment. Our combined efforts aim to nurture growth and well-being within our school community. Together, we navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and embrace the diverse narratives that shape our collective stories.
My aim is to support the well-being and safety of all students in order to equip them to achieve their full potential. I am committed to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and demonstrate this by, for example, working with a cultural supervisor, seeking whānau support and guidance when appropriate, encouraging the use of te Reo and checking with students that our shared meaning-making is the same.
As a trained narrative therapy counsellor and registered member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), I am guided by the NZAC Code of Ethics. This grounds my practice in safety, professionalism and integrity. Central to my approach is confidentiality, safeguarding each student’s story unless there is a serious and imminent concern for safety.
My hope is that when you meet with me, you will experience manaakitanga, being listened to, respected and safe. When we first meet together, we can talk about what that looks like for you and what else might be important to you when coming to counselling.
You can find the counselling room nestled alongside the Student Support Office.
Kylie Finch
Available Mon-Tue, Thurs-Fri
Counsellor
kyliefinch@thameshigh.school.nz
Ph: 07 868-8688 ext 813
What is Counselling?
Counselling is a professional support process that offers people space to explore difficulties and concerns, and supports them to find alternative ways of relating to the difficulty or concern. Talking to a counsellor at Thames High School | Te Kura Tuarua o te Kauaeranga is seen as a normal thing to do because we recognise that a healthy mind is essential for educational success and overall happiness. We invite you to reach out if you or someone you know might benefit from our support. It is our hope that together we can foster a community where every student has the opportunity to thrive. We work with students for a wide range of reasons. You don’t have to have “issues” or be “in trouble” to come to counselling.
From a narrative therapy perspective, counselling is a collaborative process where the focus is on understanding the context or situations in which problems emerge, not diagnosing an individual. Through collaborative inquiry, we can uncover hopes, values and aspirations that you might have for your life. We are then better placed to re-member or uncover the skills, knowledge, resources and communities the person has access to, that support the change they hope to make.
Why see a counsellor?
Most students self-refer, but others are referred by school staff, peers, or whānau/caregivers. Counsellors offer mainly individual counselling, but also facilitate group programmes and work alongside, as well as refer to, specialist agencies.
Whatever the difficulty or concern, the counsellor will be happy to talk with you.
If it is an emergency – you feel like you or someone else’s safety is at risk – call 111.
People seek counselling support for many reasons.
Your counsellor may:
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See you on your own, or with support people
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Offer you information
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Make referrals for specific, specialist support
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Act on your behalf, with your consent
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Facilitate restorative conversations
Referral Form
Student Referral for yourself or someone else below
*Note: If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111
Some services you may find helpful:
Outside agencies you can talk or text with
Need to Talk? – 1737 ~ Free to call / text 24/7
Youthline – 0800 376 633 ~ Free text: 234 / Email: talk@youthline.co.nz / or online chat
What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 ~ For 15-18 year olds. / Phone or online chat from 11am-11pm.
Kidsline – 0800 543 754 ~ 4-9pm weekdays to talk to a trained youth buddy counsellor.
Healthline – 0800 611 116 ~ 24/7 support from a registered nurse / Māori clinicians are available between 8am-8pm.
Depression Helpline – 0800 111 757 ~ 24/7 If you’re feeling depressed or anxious.
Suicide Prevention Helpline – 0508 828 865 ~ 24/7 If you’re having thoughts about harming yourself.
OUTLine – 0800 688 5463 ~ If you’d like to talk about sexuality or gender identity. 6-9pm weekdays.
Alcohol Drug Helpline – 0800 787 797 ~ 24/7 to talk about drug and/or alcohol use.
Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 655 ~ 24/7 to talk about problem gambling.
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 ~ 24/7 for people in distress or crisis.
Women’s Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 ~ 24/7 for women living with violence or fear in their relationship or family.
Rape Crisis – 0800 883 300 ~ 24/7 for support after rape or sexual assault.
New Zealand on-line resources available to young people:
Mental Wealth is a site for young people that provides information about issues young people face and how to address them.
The Lowdown is a website created with rangatahi for rangatahi, to help recognise and understand depression and anxiety.
SPARX is an interactive self-help online tool that teaches young people skills to help combat depression and anxiety through a fun game. There is also a mood quiz and other resources.
CALM offers blogs, meditations and learnings around stress, sleep, and navigating life’s ups and downs.
The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand is a website with tools to support positive mental health and wellbeing.
The Depression.org.nz website offers information and tools, including about depression and anxiety.
