School Counsellor Aylssa Temple has worked with children and young people for over 20 years, first as a crisis intervention youth worker before moving full-time into counselling 11 years ago. Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, she has previously worked as a School Counsellor in Majuro, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and in Brunei, on the beautiful island of Borneo. She has lived in Phuket since 2022 and before joining BISP she was the Director of 7north Therapy. She is currently studying towards a Doctorate of Professional Practice at the University of Central Lancaster. 

What is your role as School Counsellor and how do you anticipate students and parents will connect with you? 

A School Counsellor is someone within the school who both parents and students can turn to for support. We can help with many of the challenges which may be faced by international families such as transitioning to a new country, anxiety, settling in, homesickness through to more severe mental health problems. Parents and students can email me to set up an appointment or drop into my office which is room 112 beside Bake. 

What do you enjoy most about working in education?

I really enjoy getting to know the students and seeing them develop and grow. I was at my last school for 9 years so it was lovely to see the year 5s I went on a trip with the year I started, graduating the year I left. I think pastoral care in all forms within a school is a very privileged position, we get to support students and their families through what can be some really tough times. To see them come out of the other side and flourish is the best thing about my role. I also love the variety of issues I work with. I could be working with a small child with behavioural issues in one session, and then with someone who is bereaved the next. 

What attracted you to BISP?

I have lived in Phuket for 2 years and in that time I had got to know Amber, the previous counsellor as we organised a conference here, and I also delivered workshops at BISP as an external facilitator. Every time I came into the school I was struck by how warm the staff and students were. The school had a lovely community feel about it, and when a position became available I jumped at the chance to apply. 

What’s a professional skill, or area of interest, that you’re keen on developing at BISP? 

I am currently studying towards a Doctorate of Professional Studies so I am keen to keep developing my skills as a researcher and to be able to incorporate cutting edge research and techniques into my practice as a school counsellor. I am also always looking for new creative ways to work with children and young people. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

When I am not working or studying, you will find me either at the beach with my dog, reading in my garden or singing badly (and loudly) to myself. I also like to dabble in activities such as making art and creative writing. 

What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I think my biggest strength in terms of personality trait is my curiosity. I always want to learn; about people, about the world, new professional techniques… I think this curiosity has led me to places and opportunities that I otherwise would have missed such as living on a coral atoll for a year or starting a doctorate in my 40s. 

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

The advice I would give to myself as a teenager would be:

1. Only compare yourself with others when you aspire to be like them (not as a stick to beat yourself with), 
2. Try your best to retain a sense of humour in the face of adversity, and
3. Say yes to opportunities you want to do, even if you don’t know what you are doing – you will figure it out later!