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College Counsellors

Northside employs a College Counsellor to support students. Mrs Lisa Baker is fully qualified and registered to support students during term time in school hours for short-term, ad-hoc & brief intervention counselling in Secondary Schools and as relevant in Junior School. Although she may not be prominently seen in school life, Mrs Baker is 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 and support them through conversation and prayer.

Counselling can enhance students’ learning, mental health and well-being, social and emotional function, participation in school/classroom activities and connection to the wider school community. Our College Counsellor also offers support to students facing more difficult life challenges. 

Referrals to College Counsellors

  • 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. Relevant issues would typically be related to the following:

  • 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

The College Counsellors, in consultation with supervisors, will exercise their professional judgement to prioritise appointments according to need. Counselling may include a one-off discussion, brief intervention to deal with issues, gauge a student’s needs prior to recommending referral or further assessment, or facilitate a group session for 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 self-referral, referral by a staff member, or parent request. Details discussed are kept confidential unless of a serious nature or safety concerns that require reporting or further supportive action.

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 or facilitating a group session for social/emotional learning and skill development.

Details discussed are kept confidential unless of a serious nature or safety concerns that require reporting or further supportive action.

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

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.

Contact Us: 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 Chaplain: Wayne.Knipe@northside.qld.edu.au  

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 also refer you to or recommend psychologists or allied health services that offer 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 Employee Assistance Program 

3. Service providers in surrounding suburbs:

Act for Kids 

  • Flourish – Child and Family Therapy 
    www.actforkids.com.au/services/flourish 
    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.
  •  Integrated Therapy Services
    www.actforkids.com.au/services/integrated-therapy-service 
    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. 

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 Family Connect
Phone Support
https://www.familychildconnect.org.au/ 
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.

Child and Youth Mental Health Service 
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. 

Foundations Counselling Centre 
Carseldine
www.foundationscounselling.com.au 
Services provided by consultants holding a Christian faith. 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, Wooloongabba
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 
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, children

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. 

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

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.

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

Additional tools for parenting toolkit
  • Triple P Positive Parenting Program - free online courses & resources https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/qld-uken/triple-p/

    • Support organisations during school holidays for students & parents
    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: