1

It takes a lot of courage to come see a counsellor. I believe its important to be

open about what counselling is all about so I would like to tell you some things
about my job as a counsellor and what to expect from our time together. This
book is designed to help you learn and understand everything you need to know.
As we go through these pages together, I will answer any questions you have
about counselling!

Go to PAGE

Go to PAGE

20

Just like a sidekick would I am going to listen to you and help you find solutions to
the struggles you might be having. Counselling is kind of like going on an
adventure with your sidekick. If Im going to be your sidekick, its probably a good
idea for you to learn a little bit more about me. After all, we are going to be going
on an adventure together.

Go to PAGE
4

Go to PAGE
23

My name is Molly and I am in school, just like you! I am studying how to become a
counsellor (I am earning my Master of Counselling degree at the University of
Lethbridge). I have to follow many rules to ensure you are safe and receive good
treatment on this adventurer (thats what sidekicks do).

Go to PAGE

Go to PAGE

24

You get to talk about what you want (but you wont get to know much
about me because youre the superhero and Im just the sidekickthis is
about YOU!)
You can tell me as little or as much as you like
You can stop seeing me at any time
You can say NO to anything I suggest and you do not have to do counselling
homework if you dont want
I wont tell your friends, teachers, principal, or any other staff what you tell
me unless you want me to

This means that if you tell me that you or someone you know might get hurt I
have to call for backup.

Go to PAGE

Go to PAGE

22

Your parents know that you and I are going on adventures together and they said
it was okay. They are allowed to ask me what kind of missions we are working on
and how things are going. Before I tell them anything, I will talk to you about it.






















8

Your counselling sidekick?

What kind of adventures we can go on?
What I have to tell your parents?
When I have to call for backup?

Go to PAGE

Go to PAGE
10

25

___________________________________________________________________

Write your name up here

10

As your sidekick, there are a few more things I need to tell you about to keep you
in the loop.

I record the adventures we go on and plan our missions with someone whos
been a sidekick much longer than me. The person that supervises our work (all
the adventures we go on) to make sure Im being the best sidekick for you is
named Wes. Hes a registered psychologist and sometimes hangs out at your
school. I talk to him about our adventures and he makes sure they are safe for
both of us to go on. Your parents know about Wes and are okay with him knowing
stuff about what we do together.

11

I need to record a little bit about our missions and adventures together. Youre
my boss (I mean, superhero), so you can see what I write down. I write things
down so that I can help you reach your goals. I keep my notes in a safe place that
is locked and they are kept for at least one year. I also record things like your
name, when we meet, and a general comment about what were up to in a
computer database; this database is also kept private.
















12

Your counselling sidekick?

What kind of adventures we can go on?
What I have to tell your parents?
When I have to call for backup?
Wes (the sidekicks sidekick!)
My notes

Go to PAGE
14

13

Go to PAGE
26

___________________________________________________________________

Write your name up here

Head to the next page to make it all official!

14

Hey, so weve talked about lots of stuff together already and I want to make sure
youre okay with everything. We have to go through a form together now but it
wont take long because its all about stuff you already know.

Go to PAGE

Go to PAGE

28

27

15

Hey, weve been on this adventure for a while now and were almost ready to
complete it. Its time to have a very important sidekick-superhero meeting about
what adventures you might have coming up.

16

If you want to meet with another counsellor over the break or next year, I can
help you get that set up as my last sidekick duty. Ill ask you again about this next
time, so think about it.
If you decide to take on a solo mission in the future that ends up needing backup,
who can you call or talk to?

















17

What this means is that everything you told during our adventure still stays
private. I wont tell people that I was once your counselling sidekick but you can if
you want to. Just like during our adventures, I cant accept gifts or money from
you or your family.


















18

Finishing off this adventure?
Getting help in the future?
What things are going to be like if you see me around?

Go to PAGE

Go to PAGE

33

21

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

It takes lots of courage to come see a counsellor. I believe it is important to be open about what
counselling is all about so I would like to tell you some things about my job as a counsellor and
what to expect from our time together. I will answer any questions you have about counselling!1

I am going to listen to you and help you find solutions to the struggles you might be having, just like a
friend would but there are a few extra things I can do! Want to know more? Ask me or keep reading! 1

You get to talk about what you want (but you wont get to know much about me as
counselling is about you)
You can tell me as little or as much as you like
You can stop seeing me at anytime
You can say NO to anything I suggest and you do not have to do counselling homework if
you do not want
You can see another counsellor in case we do not fit well

I borrowed some of the information and/or wording of this section, with permission, from a consent form originally written by
Erika Kewley and Dawn McBride (2012; Last update was by McBride on August 28, 2014 with the help of Bethany Mills)

28

I am in school just like you! I am studying how to become a counsellor (I am earning my Master of
Counselling degree at University of Lethbridge). I have to follow many rules to ensure you are safe and
receive good treatment. Because I am learning to be a counsellor, I have to use many forms!

1

I need to make sure I am doing my best with you so I will be talking to my supervisor about our
work together. His name is Wes Bartel and he is a Registered Psychologist he also works at
schools. Your parents or guardians have his phone number and email.

When I help others, I cant accept gifts or money. I cannot give gifts or money.

I must keep private what you tell me. That means I cant tell your teachers or your friends
what you tell me. NOPE, my lips are sealed . But I may talk to my supervisor or my
teachers as these people know so much that can help me help you! But, if you dont
want me to tell them your name, I wont.

I will have to talk about you to someone if I have to get you extra help or someone else
extra help if you tell me:
o You might hurt yourself really bad
o You know someone who is getting hurt really bad
o You are getting hurt by someone
o Also, I have to tell a judge if s/he asks me something about you.

I borrowed some of the information and/or wording of this section, with permission, from a consent form originally written by
Erika Kewley and Dawn McBride (2012; Last update was by McBride on August 28, 2014 with the help of Bethany Mills)

29





If you want examples of when I have to talk to others about you, just ask! You can ask me about this
anytime.

I need to record a little bit about what we talked about but you can see what I write. I will
keep these notes in a safe place that is locked. These notes will help me reach your goals.
These notes are kept for at least a year or more and they are not be read by anyone
except my supervisor or if a judge needs to see them (see below).

Also, some of what I write down will be entered in a database, this means that I have to
record that you came to talk to me and a general comment about what we talked about.
This database will be kept private.

theres one more thing I need to tell you. Your parents or guardians should know when you come to
counselling because maybe they can help you too. So, you and I will talk about what is the best way to tell
them you are coming to counselling and how much you want them to know. Some students like you get a
little bit freaked out about this idea but some are okay with it. How do you feel about your parents
knowing what were up to? 1







3

I borrowed some of the information and/or wording of this section, with permission, from a consent form originally written by
Erika Kewley and Dawn McBride (2012; Last update was by McBride on August 28, 2014 with the help of Bethany Mills)

30

Do you want to know about how often we get to hang out? The answer is lots. The idea is that
you and I will find a time to get together each week that youre at school, but you might see me around
more. Im only here until April though.

Do you want to know what do we get to do when we hang out? Its important to me that we
do whatever makes it easier for you to tell me what you want help with. and then we can find fun ways
to make good changes for you. So really, what we do when we hang out could involve lots of cool things.

Do you have questions about I have to tell my parents/guardians about our time
together? Sometimes I need to talk to important adults in your life. I need to let your parents or
guardians know if I am concerned about your safety and also it is a good thing to tell them about the
progress you are making in counselling. I will talk about general things with them. However, I will try to
talk to you before I share anything with your parents. Do you need any examples of what I mean? 4

If you are unhappy with me or have a concern about the services you received during counselling with
me, I hope you will talk to me about it. I take feedback and suggestions seriously, and will try to respond
with care and respect.

But if you think that I will not be able to listen and respond, or that I have broken any rules, you may
contact my supervisor, Wes Bartel at 402 500 2619 or wes.bartel@cssd.ab.ca or my teacher at my school,
the University of Lethbridge, Dawn McBride at (403) 317-2877. 1

I borrowed some of the information and/or wording of this section, with permission, from a consent form originally written by
Erika Kewley and Dawn McBride (2012; Last update was by McBride on August 28, 2014 with the help of Bethany Mills)

31

I have read Everything You Need to Know About Counselling, had enough time to consider it carefully,
and ask any questions I had about it

I understand that my counsellor will not talk to others about me unless it is on the list of who my
counsellor has to talk to about me____(initial)

I know I have rights in counselling in fact, I can list 3 of them such as :
o

I know I can end therapy at any time I wish, can ask for a different counsellor

I can refuse any suggestions made by my counsellor

I can say as little or as much as I want to my counsellor about my life

I understand that I have the right to talk openly and honestly with my counsellor, and will try to
provide my counsellor with feedback about how I think counselling is working.

I will do my best to attend appointments even if I do not always feel like it. If I cannot attend an
appointment:

I will contact my counsellor before the appointment to cancel or reschedule. If I am late for an
appointment, I understand it will still end at the original time

I realize my counsellor may need to talk to my parents/guardians if my counsellor is worried about my
safety and to update these adults about my changes and progress in therapy. 5







______________________________
_____________________________
_______________
Client Name (print)
Client Signature
Date

For your counsellor:
I, the counsellor, have discussed the issues within this consent form with my client

My observations of this individuals behaviour and responses indicate that this individual understands the rules and process
of counselling as discussed above and is competent to give informed and willing consent at this time.
The parents/guardians were given the consent documents on ________________________ by ___ email ____ sending
home the forms with the youth ____ other:

___________________________________________________________________
Counsellor

Signature

Date

I borrowed some of the information and/or wording of this section, with permission, from a consent form originally written by
Erika Kewley and Dawn McBride (2012; Last update was by McBride on August 28, 2014 with the help of Bethany Mills)

32

33