Service Overview
Pupils today are faced with many pressures as they continue to develop their coping skills and preparation for the adult world. Pupils experiencing stress or emotional problems find it difficult to engage with the education process and to reach their full potential.
The Holistic Options for Promoting REsilience (HOPE) Independent School Counselling and Therapy Service is accessible to all post primary aged pupils in Northern Ireland.
Make a referral for counselling
The counselling service can be requested by a pupil, parent or the school. If you wish to request counselling for a pupil, click the button below.
T: 0800 25 45 123 E: hope@ascert.biz
ASCERT is an organisational member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. BACP Membership No. 00276694
Find out if we provide counselling in your school.
Schools available for counselling service from ASCERT
List of schools
Abbey Community College, Newtownabbey
Aughnacloy College, Aughnacloy
Belfast High School, Newtownabbey
Carrickfergus Academy, Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus Grammar School, Carrickfergus
Castlederg High School, Castlederg
Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh
Coleraine College, Coleraine
Coleraine Grammar, Coleraine
Cookstown High School, Cookstown
Devenish College, Enniskillen
Dominican College, Portstewart
Drumglass High School, Dungannon
Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Enniskillen
Erne Integrated College, Enniskillen
Fivemiletown College, Fivemiletown
Holy Trinity College, Cookstown
Integrated College, Dungannon
Larne Grammar School, Larne
Larne High School, Larne
Limavady Grammar School, Limavady
Limavady High School, Limavady
Loreto College, Coleraine
Loreto Grammar School, Omagh
Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen
North Coast Integrated College, Coleraine
Omagh Academy Grammar School, Omagh
Sacred Heart College, Omagh
St Aidan’s High School, Derrylin
St Conor’s College, Clady
St Fanchea’s College, Enniskillen
St John’s Business and Enterprise College, Dromore
St Joseph’s College, Coalisland
St Joseph’s College, Enniskillen
St Kevin’s College, Lisnaskea
St Killian’s College, Carnlough
St Mary’s College, Irvinestown
St Mary’s, Limavady
St Michael’s College, Enniskillen
St Patrick’s College, Dungannon
The Royal School, Dungannon
Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus
If your school is not on this list, contact us and we can direct you to the organisation that provides the counselling service to your school.
Some answers to questions pupils may have
What’s counselling/therapy about?
Sometimes we all have problems that are worrying. Think of a confusing jigsaw when all of the pieces are difficult to match together. Talking about a problem in counselling/therapy is like sorting out the pieces so that we can build a picture that makes more sense to us.
What happens in counselling/therapy?
Counselling/therapy gives you the opportunity to talk in private about anything which is worrying you. The counsellor/therapist will not take sides or tell you what to do or how to live your life, but they will help you to look at choices and encourage you to make your own decisions.
Who is the Counsellor/therapists?
They are a team of professionally qualified and experienced people who have experience working with children and pupils. Counsellor/therapists are trained to listen without judging and to help people sort out their thoughts and feelings about whatever is concerning them.
Where will counselling/therapy take place?
Counselling/therapy will take place in a room set aside by the school. This room will be a safe place where no one will be able to listen in to what you are telling the counsellor/therapist. Sessions can last up to 50 minutes and appointment times should be varied so that time is not lost from the same subject.
When is counselling/therapy available?
Your counsellor/therapist will be available on specific school days and sessions will be scheduled with you. There will also be designated times when you can just drop in without an appointment.
How do I get to see the counsellor/therapist?
You can see the counsellor/therapist by talking to one of your teachers, self-referring by using the post box in the reception Area or asking your parent or carer to arrange an appointment.
Is counselling/therapy Confidential?
What you say in counselling/therapy is not repeated to others without your permission, unless there are very serious concerns about your safety or another person’s safety. This will be explained to you at the initial meeting with the counsellor/therapist.
Do my parents/carers need to know?
Counselling/therapy works best when you are able to tell your parents/carers and they can support you. If you want to have counselling/therapy without your parents/carers knowing your school will decide if you can do this. This decision is based on how well you understand what counselling/therapy is about and the consequences of not telling your parents/carers. This is known as being ‘Gillick’ competent.