Counselling & Student Well-Being Support

Mental Health and Well-being Mentor: Bethany Vakulich

Our Mental Health and Well-being Mentor works to support students with their social, emotional and mental health (SEMH). This involves the offer of 1-to-1 and small group interventions designed to support students whose SEMH is affecting their academic progress. Our mentor is able to work with students experiencing emotional difficulties, self-esteem challenges, friendship relationship and mental health difficulties. Our mentor also works alongside our Mental Health Pupil Leadership Group to ensure that all students are empowered to support themselves and others with their mental health.

Educational Mental Health Practitioner: Amber Wrigley &  Mental Health Support Team

At TSFA we have our own dedicated Mental Health Support Team (MHST) who work in partnership with us to develop our whole academy approach to mental health and wellbeing, building on our internal provision.

The team consists of a Team or Clinical lead, Senior Practitioners and Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs). The practitioners are trained, or are training, in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) interventions, other evidence-based therapies or are experienced mental health professions. The MHST practitioners are able to offer cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) where appropriate. This is based upon the understanding that how we think, feel and behaviour is closely linked to understanding a young person’s difficulties. CBT can help a young person to develop a toolbox of strategies and new ways of coping with difficult situations. These skills are all evidence based, which means researchers have tested them and found that they are shown to work.

Rev’d Sam Crook

Sam works alongside the TSFA well-being team to support students’ overall well-being by provide emotional support, and practical assistance throughout their educational journey. Sam offers one-to-one support which is aimed to make students feel safe, valued, and understood within the college environment. Sam is able to support students in developing coping strategies which ensures they have the tools to support themselves both during and after their studies.