School Counselling
The school counselling programme at BBIS is designed to help students, parents, and teachers develop positive learning experiences. By providing proactive in-class workshops for all BBIS students and counselling support for students with specific social or emotional concerns, the School Counsellors aim to make BBIS a healthy learning environment for all children and young people.
On this page you can learn more about the BBIS School Counsellors and their roles in the school. Please feel free to contact us anytime, we enjoy getting to know prospective and current BBIS families.
Elementary School Counsellor and School Psychologist
Dr. Christina Limbird holds degrees in Psychology and Education from universities in the US and Germany and has worked with children with learning difficulties for ten years.
In addition to in-class guidance lessons on communication, conflict resolution and social skills, Christina offers small group sessions on topics such as Friendship Skills, Anger Management, and Transitions.
As the BBIS School Psychologist, Christina is able to provide full psycho-educational evaluations to help pinpoint students’ specific learning strengths and needs.
Elementary School Counselling
The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as and character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school self, peers, social groups and family.
Comprehensive school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career and personal/social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.
(From the American School Counseling Association)
Middle and High School Counselling
Middle and high school are the final two steps in the transition into adulthood and the world of work as students begin separating from parents and exploring and defining their independence. Students are deciding who they are, what they do well, and what they will do when they graduate. During these adolescent years, students are evaluating their strengths, skills and abilities. They face increased pressures regarding risk behaviors involving sex, alcohol and drugs while exploring the boundaries of more acceptable behavior and mature, meaningful relationships.
Middle and High School Counsellors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Middle and High School Counsellors do not work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help the student achieve success in school. Professional school counsellors align and work with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century.
(From the American School Counselling Association)
Middle/High and Boarding School Counsellor
Steve Gregory, B. Phil. (Ed)., Dip. HE., Dipl.-Soz.Arb./Soz.Päd. (GB) is a British qualified Community, Play and Youth Worker and State Recognised Social Worker/Social Pedagogue. Before joining BBIS in August 2008, he worked as a K-12 International School Counsellor here in Berlin for 6 years and has more than 20 years experience of working with children and adolescents in various settings. As part of his role in the middle, high and boarding schools, he delivers prevention based guidance lessons, via the guidance and PSHE programmes, supports faculty and parents with advice on adolescent issues and is an advocate for young people.
His areas of professional interest are adolescent development and mental health, behaviour management, pastoral education, group work and outdoor education. Steve is also our PSHE Coordinator and the High School Student Council Advisor. In his spare time, he helps supervise the Middle and High School Ambassadors and runs the Get Organised Group ECA. At weekends, you will often find him walking in the Harz Mountains, with our International Award students, where he is the Deputy Award Leader.
