COUNSELING

Last June, Berkshire alum Steph Holmes ’06 returned to campus to lead the School’s Counseling Office. A graduate of Cornell University and Boston University, with a master’s degree in social work, Holmes formerly worked at Brooks School in North Andover, Mass., where she was the director of student wellness. She also taught English and SEL and served as head girls hockey coach, dorm parent, advisor to the GSA, and clinical therapist. A threesport varsity captain at Berkshire, Holmes captained the women’s ice hockey team at Cornell and coaches in Berkshire’s girls hockey program.

Berkshire’s Counseling Office includes three licensed mental health professionals trained in providing one-on-one and small group counseling and crisis intervention. They partner with families and all areas of school life to continually improve the student experience and the well-being of the entire community. The Counseling Office sponsors community-level initiatives such as all-school speakers, small group workshops, and faculty/staff training.

“I hope the Counseling Office can help cultivate the resilience, confidence, and skills students will need to respond to challenges and to navigate our complex world,” Holmes said. “I want every student to know who we are, what we can offer, and how to connect with us.”

Resources of the Month

The Counseling Office launched a new monthly series that highlights resources to help families foster emotional well-being and promote self-care in their daily lives. These resources have included: n Advice for how parents can improve their listening skills to support anxious teens, talking less and asking the right questions n Discussion about teens learning sometimes harmful mental health advice from nonprofessionals on TikTok n Tips for students to help with test anxiety, including quick calming techniques

To read more about these resources, visit: berkshireschool.org/ wellness-counseling

Thanksgiving Fundraiser for the People’s Pantry

Nico Hardcastle ’23, a day student from Great Barrington, put his experience studying abroad in Spain to work at The People’s Pantry, a local food pantry. As a Spanish-speaking volunteer, he organized a Thanksgiving Turkey Fundraiser. “I have been able to hear so many new stories within the community at The People’s Pantry,” Hardcastle said. “I started this fundraiser because I wanted to be able to relate my two experiences: one as a native of Berkshire County, and the other as a student of Berkshire. My goal has been to bring a certain level of understanding and connection between locals and students.”