NDB heavily prioritizes the mental health and wellness of its students. This priority is what the NDB Academic and Wellness Counseling can be used for. The counseling department and wellness center create an environment where students struggling in school can get the assistance they need.
The NDB counseling team includes Kari Allegri ’96 as the Financial Aid Associate and Counseling Assistant, Christina Christenson and Allan Gargaritano as School Counselors, and Kristi Rossi who is the Dean of Academic Advisement.
“[My experience] has been wonderful, everything works really well with the teachers, the community, and with the administration, ” said Gargaritano. “Everyone works together to make this successful. It’s been a pleasure.”
A unique aspect of NDB is the onsite wellness center, a safe space where any student can go to find support and resources for a personal, social, or academic challenge. With new additions to the counseling center, including two new therapist interns, mental health support at NDB continues to grow.
The current Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) trainees on campus are Lisa Liu and Autumn Johnson. MFTs are one of six core mental health professionals, and their presence on campus introduces a whole new level of support for any individual who seeks it.
Lisa Liu is a MFT trainee at CCDF working part-time at NDB to support students as they navigate personal and academic challenges. With experience addressing concerns such as anxiety, depression, and life transitions, she works closely with international students, assisting in managing cultural differences and transitioning in academic and life contexts.
“I am here to talk with you about your feelings, challenges, and struggles. Together, we can explore your motivation and work through difficulties to help you find clarity and growth,” Liu explains. “High schoolers are close to reaching adulthood, and there are so many developmental topics to discuss. Psychotherapy can help students discover goals to pursue and navigate this transitional period with confidence.”
As the counseling center continues to grow and strengthen, NDB administration demonstrates a clear focus on the importance of student mental health. This new growth highlights how seriously the staff takes the well-being of their students, a priority that sets NDB apart from other schools
“My counselor is really nice, NDB seems to be big on prioritizing mental health,” said freshman Audrey Johnston. “My counselor helped me find a balance between school and mental health, it’s been great for me to manage my stress.”
Whether struggling in a class or needing a place to unwind, the counseling center is the perfect place for any students to find what they need. NDB school counselors have three general focuses; to advise students on their academics, to offer support to students socially and emotionally, and to plan postsecondary options. Now with the newly added support of licensed therapists, there are many more opportunities for students to seek and find the support they need at school.
“For me, every experience with the wellness center has been positive. I’m really happy that we have these resources available. Anything from a quick question or full meeting, the counselors can help, ” said junior Georgia Melvin. “Mental health seems to be one of [NDB’s] priorities, I’m glad all of these resources have been implemented. It’s great that the MFTs are here for anyone going through a difficult time, that can be a really great resource for them.”
Any and all students can schedule an appointment with one of the on-site Wellness Counselors or MFT interns to find the help they need. Both MFTs split a weekly schedule to ensure everyone can get the support they require.
This newfound growth of mental health support continues to flourish and grow at NDB, ensuring every student gets the attention and support they deserve.
