Middle & Upper | University Counseling | WIS

Students at a desk using laptops

School Counseling

IN THIS SECTION

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY... 
CALL 911 or 
988 SUICIDE & CRISIS LIFELINE

WIS SCHOOL COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

With a team of four counselors — two in the Primary School and one each in the Middle and Upper Schools — we nurture the social, emotional, and personal growth of every student. Our counselors help create a caring and inclusive school community where collaboration, respect, and empathy are at the heart of everyday life. We emphasize learning, social responsibility, and holistic development, empowering students with the skills and confidence to support one another and thrive both in school and beyond.

HOW WE SUPPORT

The school counselor plays a vital role in supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being through a variety of services and initiatives. This includes individual and small group counseling focused on supportive reflection, mental health education, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, problem-solving, and interpersonal resolution skills. The counselor also delivers social and emotional lessons and organizes and leads annual initiatives inspired by CASEL Competencies and aligned with International School Counselor Association (ISCA) Standards. Counselors also communicate with parents and external providers such as therapists or psychiatrists, and refer to outside agencies when additional support is needed. 

As Deputy Student Safeguarding Lead (DSSL), school counselors play a key role in maintaining a safe and supportive school environment. They also help to foster empathy, inclusivity, community, and connection across the school. Collaboration with teachers and participation in Student Support Team (SST) meetings help ensure students receive comprehensive support. In addition, the counselor provides mental health education and resources for parents, helping to strengthen home-school partnerships and promote a shared understanding of student well-being.

Primary School | Middle School | Upper School

Counseling Release of Information Form

MEET OUR TEAM

Sara Sonsalla

UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Marilyn Wilson Odhiambo

MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Aaron Luke

PRIMARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Jenny Nachbar

PRIMARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our two Primary School Counselors support students as they learn to identify the social and emotional needs of themselves and others by providing:

  • Student Counseling: Short-term individual and small-group support addressing social-emotional needs (e.g., anxiety, friendships). Referrals are provided for long-term counseling.
  • Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Counselors deliver a whole-class SEL curriculum grounded in CASEL competencies and integrated into the PYP Units of Inquiry.
  • Community Initiatives: School-wide theme weeks (safety, kindness, respect), parent psychoeducation, workshops, and individual consultations, and parenting book groups.
  • Collaboration and Consultation: Regular teacher consultation ensures proactive and responsive interventions. Actively partnering with parents fosters a strong home-school support system for our primary students who are learning the fundamentals of wellness.

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized


OptimizedImage,,,Optimized


OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our Middle School Counselor supports students through the exciting — and sometimes challenging — Middle School years by providing:

  • Student Counseling: Short-term individual and small group support for academic concerns, friendships, family issues, stress, and personal challenges.
  • Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): The counselor creates SEL lessons and facilitates Creating Caring Conversations (CCC).
  • Community Initiatives: such as Mental Health Days, Drug Prevention Awareness, and Kindness Week to promote empathy, self-awareness, and well-being.
  • Transition support: Support to ensure students entering or leaving Middle School feel confident and prepared for the next step on the academic journey.
  • Collaboration and Consultation: Work together with families, faculty, and outside professionals to support students and strengthen the school-home connection through shared strategies and resources.

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

UPPER SCHOOL

The Upper School Counselor serves as a resource for students navigating the challenges of Upper School, a time that can include moments of stress, rapid change, and uncertainty, by providing:

  • Student Counseling: Short-term individual counseling, peer mediation, and providing crisis support.
  • Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): Self-advocacy, strength identification, stress management, healthy relationships, and mental health awareness in Seminar.
  • Community Initiatives: Kindness Week, The Feel Good Club, and guest speaker events around drug prevention and mental wellness that actively promote connection, resilience, and overall wellness.
  • Collaboration and Consultation: Working closely with parents, faculty, and external professionals as needed.
  • The Pulse Program: An online tool allowing students to share their real-time feelings and readily access support.

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

OptimizedImage,,,Optimized

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES & SUPPORT

ANXIETY
National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety
suicide prevention
Self-injury
depression

National Institute of Mental Health: Depression
healthy relationships
grief and loss
disaster response/trauma
Self-management/Self-regulation
Stress Management and Mindfulness
divorce/separation
addictions
Stanford Tobacco Prevention Toolkit
healthy technology use
sexual health
eating disorders
adoption
CASE
safeguarding policy
Safeguarding Policy Overview
lGbtq+
Trevor Project
children's books
American Psychological Association Book List

FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

What is the difference between self-injury and suicide attempts?
This chart can be used as a helpful guide to identify the differences between self-injury and suicide attempts.
When is a CPS call warranted?

WIS school counselors are Deputy Student Safeguarding Leads (DSSL) and mandated reporters. If abuse or neglect is suspected the DSSL will guide other mandated reporters (teachers, assistants, coaches, etc.) through the process of making a CPS call. School counselors also serve as the liaison between mandated reporters and the SSL. For more information on school counselors’ roles and responsibilities related to child protection refer to The School Counselor and Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.
what does a school counselor do?
  • ASCA — The Role of the School Counselor (role statement, PDF). Authoritative description of core responsibilities, the ASCA National Model, and program components. American School Counselor Association
     
  • ASCA — School Counselor Roles & Ratios (web page). Short overview of duties (academic, career, social/emotional), plus discussion of recommended counselor:student ratios and professional standards. American School Counselor Association
     
  • ASCA magazine article — The School Counselor’s Role in Student Mental Health. Practical examples of how counselors support student mental health inside schools. American School Counselor Association
     
  • State example — Michigan Dept. of Education: School Counselor Responsibilities. Useful to show how states translate ASCA guidance into local practice (academic/career/social-emotional focus). Michigan
How is school counseling different from therapy?
  • American Psychological Association — overview of psychotherapy professionals. Explains differences between professions (therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists) and contexts where psychotherapy is used. Good for framing training/licensing differences. American Psychological Association
     
  • Psychology.org — Counseling, Therapy, & Psychology Differences. Clear, parent-friendly comparison of counseling vs. therapy vs. psychology (focus, scope, typical goals). Psychology.org
     
  • Ohio State: Therapy vs. counseling — is there a difference? Practical, clinician-oriented breakdown (short-term, issue-focused counseling vs. longer-term psychotherapy). Useful for explaining to parents. Ohio State Health
     
  • Psychology Today blog — What's the Difference Between Counselors and Therapists? Good discussion about overlapping terminology and legal/regulatory variations by state (useful caveat). Psychology Today
When should my child see a therapist?
  • Child Mind Institute — Parents’ guide to getting good care & Preparing for your child’s first appointment. Practical signs, how to prepare, and what to expect from a first visit. Great parent-facing guidance. Child Mind Institute+1
     
  • Cleveland Clinic — 10 Signs Your Child May Need a Therapist. Concise checklist of behavioral and emotional signs (sleep/appetite changes, isolation, school decline). Helpful quick screening for parents. Cleveland Clinic
     
  • SAMHSA — Mental Health for Children and Families & caregiving resources. Federal guidance on recognizing needs, crisis resources, and family support options. Useful for referral/crisis context. SAMHSA
     
  • Relational Psych / clinician guides — Finding the Right Child Therapist: A Guide for Parents. Practical tips for choosing provider type and questions to ask. relationalpsych.group

Where would you like to explore next?

graduates celebrating by throwing caps in the air

About Us

Explore

Middle + Upper schools

Explore

Children jumping with excitement

Primary School

Explore

ADMISSIONS

Explore

students engaged in tug of war on a field

Search Our School