Where is the Magic Pill?

Some days are bad like today. You receive not one, not two but three accounts of the bad behaviour of students under your charge. OK not all 3 came from the teachers, one was a self confession by the student, if that is of any comfort. The case which makes you feel the worst is when the teacher tells you the boy is no angel as he pretends to be and that he knows what the counselor likes to hear, in other words you, the counselor, are a fool to be taken in.

Then there is another case, a boy who is under your charge for 3 years and and who has shown no marked improvement in his disruptive class behaviour. You got to accustom yourself to comments like "still the same" from the teachers. You explain your ineffectiveness by ascribing it to his fractured relationship with his family. The social workers at the Family Service Centre which is helping the family has difficulty making the parents keep their counselling appointments (mum is under MCYS monitoring for physical abuse of the boy). You feel helpless, stuck, disillusioned and useless with this lack of progress.

Of more heartache perhaps is when the third student confessed he committed a serious offence and ruefully admitted "I wasn't thinking". So you hanged on to his thin straw of conscience and affirmed him for realising his wrong doing. You explored with him the legal consequences of his acts and you brainstormed with him ways which can remind him to "think" before he acts. But this wasn't the first time he realised his mistake isn't it? So is he like the first student, saying things he knows the counselor likes to hear? Am I being deceived again? However his ash looking face draws your empathy and you believe him once again. You know it is very very  difficult not to empathise with a child whose face shows great despair. It is very hurting to see children suffer.

On deeper reflection I must admit I am a lousy behaviourist ie. using methods to change behaviour. I am better handling students with emotional issues. My greatest satisfaction is putting a smile back on the face of a child who comes in crestfallen and sad. However in these days that expect quick results, there is little patience for emotional healing before behavioural transformation. A quick fix is demanded like the popping of a pyschiatrist pill.

Where can I find this magic pill? Should I give up looking for this imaginary pill or should I quit imagining myself a doctor ?