School Outreach Program Information for
Participating Schools and Families

Since founding in January 2022, One Red Tree Resource Centre (ORTRC) is proud to have placed 46 provisional psychologists in 18 schools in the region- primary, secondary and specialist.

During this time, 5400 treatment hours have been provided to young people, who in most cases, would not have been able to access psychological treatment any other way.

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Participating schools are in Ararat, Stawell and up to 50kms from Ararat. 

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ORTRC has partnered with Federation University, Ballarat since founding, and is now beginning to develop partnerships with Monash, La Trobe, and Australian Catholic University to provide placements for their students. All provisional psychologists are in their 5th or 6th year of their psychology masters degree and are closely supervised by nationally AHPRA endorsed clinical psychology supervisors.

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ORTRC aims to impact every member of the school community through a three-tiered approach:

1. Working with students individually and in groups

2. Providing consultation and psycho-education to staff

3. Offering an education session open to families at the school.

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How will the provisional psychologist support young people at your school?

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The psychologist will spend 2 days per week at your school for a semester. During this time they will get to know the needs of the school staff, the students and the school community.

The principal, along with the school wellbeing team, will refer children for therapeutic intervention sessions with the provisional psychologist. Referrals cannot be made by families, although they can discuss possible referrals with their school principal.

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The psychologist can support children and adolescents through many different areas of mental health. Some examples of possible programs include:

• Communicating with confidence

• Understanding moods

• Understanding and accepting myself

• Physical activity for wellbeing

• Problem-solving skills

• Mindfulness and relaxation

• Sleeping well.

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Interventions also include an assessment, meetings with family, meetings with school staff, observations in classrooms and at recess times, and individual therapy sessions.

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At the end of the semester, and during if appropriate, the psychologist will provide some recommendations to support the student, school and family at school and home.

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