Counseling

SJS Counseling

The School Counseling Program is designed to address the social, emotional, and developmental needs of students, families, and faculty that arise within the community. The School Counselor may provide short-term counseling, mental health assessments and consultation, crisis management, ongoing support, coaching, and referrals to community and mental health resources. Consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, Counseling department and Director of Wellness, families, and outside mental health professionals provide seamless service and support to students.

The primary facets of the School Counselor's role involve:

List of 4 items.

1. Providing direct counseling services
2. Consultation with administration and faculty
3. Wellness and social emotional education for students, faculty, and parents
4. Servings as a liaison amongst the school, students, parents, and outside agencies or professionals in order to plan and implement strategies for success of the individual student.

The St. John's School Counseling Department is composed of four counselors. All four counselors work closely with the Director of Wellness and have significant training and experience in counseling, wellness education, therapeutic intervention, and program development. While the developmental differences among students help define the roles and responsibilities of counselors at each division level, all counselors work towards helping our students work towards the SJS mission of "development of a sense of self worth and of personal responsibility."

Counseling Contacts

List of 5 items.

Lower School Counselor

Bianca Nuila
713.850.0222, Ext. 461
bnuila@sjs.org

Upon graduating from Sam Houston State University with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies, Bianca began teaching 5th grade in Klein ISD. Once she earned her MEd in School Counseling from Lamar University, she remained at the same school but shifted to a K-5 counseling role. She is eager to support students, parents, and teachers as they strive to attain their social, emotional, and academic goals.
Middle School Counselor

Erin Shelton
713.850.0222, Ext. 327
eshelton@sjs.org

Erin earned her Bachelor's in Child Studies and Language Development from Southwestern University and her Master's in School Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. Erin began her career as a teacher of students with special needs and brings over thirteen years of experience in school counseling, having worked as a counselor in elementary and junior high school settings in both public and independent schools.
Upper School Counselor

Jake Davis
713.850.0222, Ext. 214
jdavis@sjs.org

Jake earned a BA in Speech Communication from California State University and a MA in Special Education and a PPSC in School Counseling. He is a credentialed school counselor with experience working in elementary, middle, and upper school settings in independent schools in both Seattle and Silicon Valley in California—most recently Menlo School in Atherton, CA where he served as counselor for the past 3 years. His work is centered around compassionate practices with an emotion-focused lens so that individuals can ultimately employ evidence-based strategies.
Upper School Counselor

Claire Wisdom
713.850.0222, Ext. 413
cwisdom@sjs.org

Claire, a Licensed Professional Counselor, holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Baylor University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from the Houston Graduate School of Theology. Claire specializes in individual, group, and family therapy and most recently worked as a clinician at The Menninger Clinic.
Counselor & Wellness Coordinator

Dr. Cynthia Powell
713.850.0222, Ext. 273
cpowell@sjs.org

Dr. Powell joined SJS in 2012 after working in public schools for over 30 years (17 as a counselor and 17 as a teacher) and in private practice for many years. She earned a M.Ed. in Special Education, a M.S. in Counseling from the University of Houston, and a Ph.D. in Counseling from Sam Houston State University.