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3Stage 3: Refine

Your skills self-check

Updated 2026-10-21 · By Meera Manikandan, Counselling Psychologist, Counseld

In shortAt the end of each term, rate yourself from 1 (just learning) to 5 (confident) on 12 core school counselling skills, from building rapport to asking for supervision. Then note what you want to learn next and who can help. The aim is to see growth, not to score yourself harshly.

Rate yourself 1 (just learning) to 5 (confident) at the end of each term. The point is to see growth and decide where to ask for help, not to score yourself harshly. If your school has two terms, use the first two columns.

SkillTerm 1Term 2Term 3
Building rapport with students of different ages
Listening without rushing to fix
Asking open questions
Explaining confidentiality and its limits
Structuring a session
Running one SEL activity with a class
Writing brief, factual notes
Recognising risk and following protocol
Making a referral
Consulting with teachers and parents
Setting boundaries on my time and role
Asking for supervision and support

My learning plan, term by term

TermWhat I want to learn nextWho can help (supervisor, mentor, peer, course)
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3

You don’t need to feel confident in every row by Term 3. Every conversation, every note and every hard day is part of how you grow. Be as patient with yourself as you are with your students.

You got this!

Counseld Starter Toolkit · Not a substitute for supervision or school policy.

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