Meet Counsellor Katie

Since 2017, our whole school pastoral and well-being programme has been supported by qualified psychotherapist and counsellor, Katie Cakirer. In Mental Health Awareness Week, we spoke to Katie about how she supports pupils and families from Willow Lodge to Sixth Form. 

With more than twenty years’ experience of working with young people in a variety of settings that include CAMHS and mental health charity MIND, Counsellor Katie is well placed to understand the variety of emotional and psychological issues that young people face.

During term time, she spends two days a week at King’s when she sees pupils who have been referred, or referred themselves, to her: “Pupils can refer themselves to me and Nurse Jess, the Well-being Nurse, at any time using the button on Firefly. Parents and teachers can also use the same button if they are concerned about a pupil and think that they would benefit from our help. 

“Once we have received the referral, the pupil will meet with Nurse Jess for a 15 minute appointment who will assess their needs. If the pupil is referred for counselling with me, I provide six 30-40 minute sessions at no cost to the pupil or their family.”

She explained that she sees pupils for a variety of reasons: “Two of the most common reasons that pupils come to see me are because they are feeling anxious or they are experiencing low mood. Other pupils may come to see me because they are having friendship or relationship issues, or they have suffered a bereavement, or are going through parental separation.”

Whatever the reason for the referral, Counsellor Katie takes time to understand the issues that are facing each young person she meets so that she can help them deal with the root cause, as well as give them the tools and techniques to manage what it is that they are dealing with. 

Counsellor Katie’s service is completely confidential and, although parental consent is always needed before the sessions can begin, she doesn’t share any information with parents or teachers unless the pupil gives permission, or there is a safeguarding concern. 

She also explained how a recent change to where she holds her sessions has had a positive impact on older pupils: “We know that older pupils can sometimes be reluctant to access my help but a decision to base me in Willow Lodge, rather than in the Senior School, has helped to combat this.

“Pupils now feel much more comfortable when they attend their sessions as they know that they won’t be seen by their peers, which helps them to relax before their session even begins.”

Deputy Head Pastoral Claire Sumner has seen first-hand what a difference Counsellor Katie can make: “Six sessions with Counsellor Katie can make a huge difference to a pupil’s mental and emotional well-being and we are very lucky at King’s to be able to offer this level of professional help to pupils from age 4 to age 18, and their families, at no extra cost.

“Although pupils can pay to continue to see Counsellor Katie after the initial six sessions, it is testament to the fantastic work she does that the demand for this is low.”

Nurse Jess and Counsellor Katie can be contacted through Firefly, using the Wellbeing and Counsellor button.