Counseling Services

Upper School Support Services

GA counselors consult and observe in the classroom as a routine part of their work addressing social and emotional development and the enhancement of students' academic experiences. They work with faculty, staff, parents, and students individually and in groups in order to provide professional insight and offer strategies to best meet student needs.

Upper School counselors meet with students individually and in groups to address personal concerns, offer support, provide conflict resolution, stress management, and study strategies, and offer referrals to clinicians in the community. They also coordinate the 9th grade Health and Wellness course. These classes are team-taught by a counselor and a 12th grade student, and they meet once per rotation to facilitate the transition from Middle School to Upper School and to address developmental issues of 9th graders. The counselors also coordinate the GA Intervention Network (GAIN, our student assistance program), sponsor mental health assemblies, coordinate psycho-educational testing, and oversee Upper School wellness initiatives.

The counselors also coordinate the GA Intervention Network (GAIN, our student assistance program), sponsor mental health assemblies, coordinate psycho-educational testing, and oversee Upper School wellness initiatives.

Learn more about GAIN

Middle School Support Services

GA counselors consult and observe in the classroom as a routine part of their work addressing social and emotional development and the enhancement of students' academic experiences. They work with faculty, staff, parents, and students individually and in groups in order to provide professional insight and offer strategies to best meet student needs.

Students may meet individually with the counselor to address personal needs along with mediation and conflict resolution. Following these meetings, Middle School parents will be contacted to discuss the situation. If a crisis occurs, parents will be contacted immediately. If psychological services are needed beyond the scope offered by GA counselors, a referral to professionals in the community will be discussed with parents. In these situations, it is recommended that the GA counselor serve as a liaison between home and school to maintain continuity of care. All individual counseling contacts are confidential. Only in the unlikely event that an individual presents a danger to self or others or is at risk for harm will private information be judiciously shared, and then only in the interest of protection and safety.

Middle School counselors coordinate the psycho-educational evaluation process and consult with evaluators and parents to address students' specific learning profiles and needs. Parents are encouraged to contact GA counselors if they have questions or concerns.

Lower School Support Services

GA counselors consult and observe in the classroom as a routine part of their work addressing social and emotional development and the enhancement of students' academic experiences. They work with faculty, staff, parents, and students individually and in groups in order to provide professional insight and offer strategies to best meet student needs.

Students may meet individually with the counselor if they, a parent, or a teacher make such a request. Following these meetings, Lower School parents will be contacted to discuss the situation. If a crisis occurs, parents will be contacted immediately. If psychological services are needed beyond the scope offered by GA counselors, a referral to professionals in the community will be discussed with parents. In these situations, it is recommended that the GA counselor serve as a liaison between home and school to maintain continuity of care. All individual counseling contacts are confidential. Only in the unlikely event that an individual presents a danger to self or others or is at risk for harm will private information be judiciously shared, and then only in the interest of protection and safety.

The Lower School counselor facilitates regular class meetings in all grades, Prekindergarten – 5th, promoting pro-social behavior, friendship skills, effective communication, empathy, personal responsibility, and developmentally relevant psychoeducation. Social-emotional education is part of the fabric of Lower School life, and the psychologist meets with individual students, with groups, and with entire classes in the service of emotional development.  The psychologist coordinates the psychoeducational evaluation process and consults with evaluators and parents to address the student’s specific learning profile and needs. Periodic informational meetings with parents are also offered. Parents are encouraged to contact GA counselors if they have questions or concerns.