HDSB Child & Youth Counsellor

Gary Allan Learning Centre

Our goal is to be a support for you at school and help you find the right resources when you need them.

You might consider accessing Child & Youth Counsellor Service if your academic achievement and school living are being affected by concerns like:

Difficulty managing daily stressors and emotions
Needing supports to apply coping strategies or problem solving
Having thoughts of suicide

What can the School Child & Youth Counsellor do for you?

Provide a space for you to talk about how you are feeling
Help you identify your short term goals and strategies for problem solving
Support you with accessing:
- - community mental health and addictions resources
  - youth employment programming through referrals to STRIDE
  - suitable housing through referrals to Bridging the Gap
  - funds for clothing, food and other essential items
Equip you with academic supports by connecting with educators and other school based supports
Connect with community partners that you might be working with so that together, we can ensure you have the mental health & academic support you need
Attend community meetings or school meetings when support is needed
Familiarize you with bus routes to help support independent travel between school and home, school and work, or school/home and community appointments
Provide crisis support as needed (i.e., suicide screening and coping plan development)

If the Child and Youth Counsellor feels your needs may be further met by a social worker or community organization, they will recommend a referral as part of their service.

What if Child & Youth support is suggested but you don’t really want it?

You are in charge of the supports you access. You may feel that you already have everyone you need in your circle. You may already be working with a counsellor in the community or maybe the timing is not right. You don’t need a reason. Just let the CYC know at any time and they will respect your wishes. You know what is best for you.

Connecting with your School Child & Youth Counsellor

Gary Allan Learning Centre (West) Burlington

For self-referrals to the Gary Allan Learning Centre Burlington Child and Youth Counsellor please contact:

Nick Lavallee

Child and Youth Counsellor
Pronouns: he/him
Work Cell Phone Number: 905-749-3086
Email: lavalleen@hdsb.ca

Please note that the Child and Youth Counsellor email and phone number are only monitored during working hours. Please do not leave any urgent messages.

Gary Allan Learning Centre (East) Oakville

For self-referrals to the Gary Allan Learning Centre Oakville Child and Youth Counsellor please contact:

Bill Coppens

Child and Youth Counsellor
Pronouns: he/him
Work Cell Phone Number: 905-749-3025
Email: coppensw@hdsb.ca

Please note that the Child and Youth Counsellor email and phone number are only monitored during working hours. Please do not leave any urgent messages.

Gary Allan Learning Centre Halton Hills

For self-referrals to the Gary Allan Learning Centre Halton Hills Child and Youth Counsellor please contact:

Natalie Tuitman

Child and Youth Counsellor
Pronouns: she/her
Work Cell Phone Number: 905-749-4170
Email: tuitmanna@hdsb.ca

Please note that the Child and Youth Counsellor email and phone number are only monitored during working hours. Please do not leave any urgent messages.

Gary Allan Learning Centre Milton

For self-referrals to the Gary Allan Learning Centre Milton Child and Youth Counsellor please contact:

Brianna Christie

Child and Youth Counsellor
Pronouns: she/her
Cell Phone Number: 905-749-3101
Email: christieb@hdsb.ca

Please note that the Child and Youth Counsellor email and phone number are only monitored during working hours. Please do not leave any urgent messages.