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Personal Counseling

Our Personal Counseling Office supports student well-being and healthy adolescent development through a comprehensive program that focuses on each grade level's specific needs. This program, which works in tandem with our College Counseling Program, includes group and individual meetings with students, as well as events and guest speakers.

Whether counseling a student one-on-one or working with freshman and sophomore counseling groups, our three counselors operate from a wellness model that addresses intellectual, spiritual, creative, physical, and social components of the whole person, using reflection, discussion, and activities. They work to involve all parts of the school community in fostering healthy development and emphasize a collaborative approach with families. Visitation parents may contact the office at any time, whether regarding day-to-day matters or more serious concerns. Our counselors provide confidential and continuing support for students and families exploring personal issues, challenges, and dilemmas.

Our Approach

We take a student-centered, strengths-based approach with each student. Students are assigned a personal counselor at the beginning of their Visitation journey and they will maintain this counseling relationship for the duration of their time at Visitation. Embracing student identities, we work with students in group and individual settings to empower them as students, friends, teammates, and leaders.

The personal counselors work in tandem with our college counseling team, meeting with students individually and in small groups, as well as hosting events and guest speakers. The personal counselors also work with the GVPA to provide parent programming on pertinent topics related to student mental health.

Visitation's personal counselors involve our whole school community in fostering healthy development and emphasize a collaborative approach with families. Visitation parents may contact the office at any time, whether regarding day-to-day matters or more serious concerns. Our personal counselors provide confidential and continuing support for students and families exploring personal issues, challenges, and dilemmas.

Each freshman and sophomore participates in a weekly counseling group that is organized around three pillars: social development, emotional development, and academic development. A sampling of topics covered are: transition to high school, healthy relationships, decision-making skills, identity formation, self-awareness, body image, and mindfulness among other relevant adolescent topics. We emphasize advocacy skills and gaining a better understanding of self and relationships to others. The two-year culminating project is a self-reflection portfolio that can be utilized during the college counseling process. The portfolio brings a deeper understanding of self, not only as a student, but as a friend, daughter, and woman in the 21st century.

In the junior and senior year, students remain connected to their personal counselor on an individual basis as they continue to receive guidance and support as they navigate the final two years of high school.

Freshman Year

Each freshman participates in a weekly counseling group that is organized around three pillars: social, emotional, and academic development. A sampling of topics covered are: transition to high school, healthy relationships, decision-making skills, identity formation, self-awareness, body image, and mindfulness among other relevant adolescent topics. Students also cover time management and study-skill strategies designed to enhance their academic performance. We emphasize self-advocacy and gaining a better understanding of self and relationships to others.

Sophomore Year

This is a continuation of the small groups counseling started in freshman counseling classes. The girls will delve deeper into the topics, but they also cover new topics such as S.M.A.R.T goal-setting, peer relations, communication, and conflict resolution. The two-year culminating project is a self-reflection portfolio that can be utilized during the college counseling process.

Junior & Senior Year

Juniors and seniors remain connected to their personal counselor on an individual basis as they continue to receive guidance and support with both academic and social matters. Students also benefit from school-wide Counseling Office programming, including guest speakers and educational sessions.

Personal Counseling Events

Meet Our Personal Counseling Team

Nina Kuziel

Nina Kuziel

Personal Counselor
Shena Thompson-Jones

Shena Thompson-Jones

Personal Counselor
Caroline Trustey

Caroline Trustey

Personal Counselor