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Mental Health & Wellness

Montclair Kimberley Academy values the important role that mental health plays in academic, social-emotional, and overall well-being and growth. Our philosophy centers on the idea that educators who focus on the whole child help to raise healthy children who contribute to their communities in positive ways.

The tri-campus counseling team focuses on promoting Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) by encouraging students to learn how to take care of themselves, others, and their community. The counseling team provides short term individual support, group work, and classroom instruction. Additionally, we partner with teachers, administrators, parents, outside counseling agencies, and other stakeholders to best serve our students. 

Counselors maintain relationships with many therapists in and around the Montclair area. We are available to support you in finding a counseling professional/therapist for your student if such a need arises. 

What Mental Health & Wellness Looks Like Across Our Campuses

Click on a tab to learn more.

Parent/Guardian Resources

The below articles, guides, and books can be useful tools when preparing to discuss certain topics with your student(s) or personally inform yourself on a topic. 

Meet the Team

     

Jessica Schenkel

(she/her/hers)

Primary School Counselor

jschenkel@mka.org

Daniella Kessler

(she/her/hers)

M.Ed, LPC, NCC, Director of Counseling

dkessler@mka.org

 

Varsay Lewis

 

(he/his/him)

M.Ed, Upper School Counselor

vlewis@mka.org

 

Laura Pascrell

 

(she/her/hers)

LCSW, Part-Time Upper School Counselor

lpascrell@mka.org