Counselling/Student Services

Counselling supports and services address students' educational, personal, emotional, and social needs. This is facilitated by the development of a continuum of supports and services, which includes the school teacher-counsellor, other school staff, and parents/guardians working together. The teacher-counsellor may also provide referrals to other community agencies and professionals.

The teacher-counsellor within your school is:

Heather Ebbers - Heather.Ebbers@sturgeon.ab.ca

Important Numbers:

• Distress Line (Edmonton and area): (780) 482-4357
• Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1 (877) 303-2642
• First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1 (855) 242-3310
• Kids Help Phone: 1 (800) 668-6868 or text: 686868
• Children’s Mental Health Crisis: 780-407-1000
• Mental Health Intake Services: 825-402-6799

Counselling interventions promote student’s personal and social growth, and foster their educational and career development. Counselling issues include school attitudes and behaviour, peer relationships, study skills, educational planning, career aspirations, school choice, grief issues, divorce, substance abuse and family problems. 

Results from thirty years of research indicates that students who received counselling improved their academic performance in the following ways:

• Increase in academic persistence and achievement
• Improvement in school attendance
• Better classroom behaviour
• Increase in self-esteem
• Better self-concept
• Improvement in attitude towards school

Small group, classroom, and personal counselling are made available to every student at Gibbons School.

Through the current School Health Initiative Partnership, it is now possible for Gibbons School students and families to access Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Mental Health Counselling on-site from qualified professionals.

Appointments can be set up by contacting the school office.