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Counseling

Counseling Department Mission Statement

The ACST Counseling Department supports all students in recognizing their intrinsic value and in realizing that their social and emotional well-being is essential to academic and personal success. Our programs and services promote autonomy and a sense of personal responsibility in an increasingly complex global society.

Our Commitment to Student Well-Being

At ACST, we believe that every student deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported. The Counseling Department is committed to creating a nurturing environment where students can grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient individuals. Through collaborative partnerships with families, teachers, and the broader school community, we aim to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning, healthy relationships, and responsible decision-making.

Counselor’s Duties

At ACST, counselors play a key role in supporting students’ social, emotional, and academic well-being. They provide both direct and indirect services across all grade levels to help students feel safe, understood, and equipped to thrive.
In the Elementary School, counselors deliver our wellness and guidance curriculum directly through social-emotional learning (SEL) instruction, community circles, friendship groups, and regular life-skills lessons. In the Secondary School, counselors oversee the delivery of this curriculum through advisory sessions and provide more targeted support as needed.

The school’s counseling services include:

Educational Psychologist

A full-time Educational Psychologist supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of all students at ACST. Working closely with students, families, teachers, and school staff, the psychologist helps identify learning needs, conducts psychoeducational assessments when necessary, and provides strategies and interventions to support student success. They also offer short-term counseling, crisis support, and mental health guidance to ensure a safe and inclusive school environment. The school psychologist plays an important role in promoting a positive school experience for every student, helping them thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Zeina Abourousse

Educational Psychologist

zabourousse@acst.net

Joshua Richardt

Elementary Counselor

jrichardt@acst.net

Pascale Thomas

Secondary Counselor

pthomas@acst.net