Guidance and Counselling

Welcome to the Guidance team at Botany Downs Secondary College. We share a commitment of working towards a socially healthy and emotionally safe school.

Our aim is to support the wellbeing and safety of all students at BDSC to enable our young people to achieve their full potential. We are professionally trained counsellors, registered members of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and we work according to the ‘NZAC Code of Ethics’ . We maintain confidentiality unless there is a serious and imminent risk to safety.

Located in the Student Services building.

Mrs Sarah Domigan

Head of Counselling
Counsellor
s.domigan@bdsc.school.nz
273-2310 ext. #308

Ms Jasmine Lai

Counsellor
j.lai@bdsc.school.nz
273-2310 ext. #334

Mr Rob Nikiel

Counsellor
r.nikiel@bdsc.school.nz
273-2310 ext #313

Make an appointment with a counsellor…

Student referral for yourself or someone else
(if you are concerned about one of your peers)

All information you give will remain private and confidential to our counsellors.
Alternatively, go to Student Services or visit a counsellor between 8:00 am and the beginning of Period 1.

If you have an emergency dial 111

What is Counselling?

Counselling is a professional helping process which assists a person to explore difficulties and concerns, and supports them to find new solutions or ways of coping. Talking with a counsellor at BDSC is seen as a normal thing to do. We work with students of all academic levels, and from all ethnicities for a wide range of issues. Students do not need to be “in trouble” at school!

The majority of students self-refer , but others are referred by school staff, students  or parents .

Counsellors offer mainly individual counselling but also run group programmes (mainly for Years 9 and 10), we also work alongside and refer to specialist agencies – this can be recommended for students experiencing acute mental health issues, addiction or historical trauma.

Whatever your issue or concern the counsellors will be happy to assist you.

People might seek counselling support for reasons such as:
  • Difficulties at home/school
  • Low self-esteem
  • Bullying
  • Abuse
  • Loss and Grief
  • Anxiety
  • To make better informed decisions
  • Support in problem solving and finding resolutions
  • Feeling lost
  • Depression or suicidal thoughts
  • Managing anger
  • Stress
  • Exploration around sexuality and gender identity
Your counsellor may also:
  • See you on your own or with support people
  • Give you information
  • Provide referrals for specific help
  • Act on your behalf with your consent
  • Facilitate mediations to resolve conflict

Other Support

Some helpful services recommended by our counsellors:

*Note: If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

Want someone to talk with?
Need to talk? (available 24/7) Call / text @ 1737
Youthline (available 24/7) 0800-376 633
Text @ 234
* Email & Webchat available at website
Lifeline (available 24/7) 0800 543 354
Text @ 4357
The Lowdown (available 24/7) 0800 111 757
Text 5626
* Email & Webchat available at website
Depression helpline (available 24/7) 0800 111 757
Text 4202
Suicide Crisis helpline (available 24/7) 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Whatsup 0800 942 8787
(Mon-Fri 12pm-11pm, Sat/Sun 3pm-11pm)
* Email & Webchat available at website
Asian Family Services (亚裔家庭服务中心)
(available Mon-Fri 9am-8pm)
Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Hindu, Gujarati, Marathi
0800 862 342
WeChat ID: AFS_0800862342
Vagus Centre (维家中心)
(available Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri; 12-2pm)
Languages spoken: Mandarin & Cantonese
0800 56 76 666
Find a helpline (within and outside of New Zealand)
Support for Specific Areas
Rainbow Community
OUTline 0800 688 5463 (available 6pm-9pm)
Rainbow Youth Auckland
Sexual Harm
Safe to Talk 0800 044 334
Text @4334
Support for Sexual Abuse Survivors (HELP) 0800 623 1700
Navigating Tricky Online Situations
Netsafe 0508 638 723
Text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282
Report harmful content online
In Case of Online Negativity (ICON)
Keep It Real Online
Vaping, Alcohol & Drug
Don’t Get Sucked In
Alcohol Drug Help 0800 787 797
General Hauora (Wellbeing)
Aunty Dee
Small Steps
All Right?

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