By Stephanie Van Hatten
Upper School Counselor
Hello, GFA Community! I am thrilled to be joining as the new Upper School Counselor. I come to GFA from 12 years of crisis counseling in a nonprofit organization working with children and adolescents. I am a trained Dialectical Behavior Therapist, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. I hold a Masters in Education and I am a Licensed Professor Counselor in CT as well as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in NY.
Stepping into this role as Upper School Counselor during this uncertain and unprecedented time has been a gift. To enter into a role where everyone is feeling uneasy and uncertain has allowed for open conversations about stress and anxiety. It has allowed for an embracement of connectedness, empathy, and understanding for all of us who are navigating these new norms together. I have been met with such warmth and support that it has fostered my ability to jump in and begin to support students and teachers as they adapt to a new way of learning and functioning in school.
It is never easy to be the "new kid" and I have gained a renewed appreciation and empathy for those students who are new to school especially under these circumstances. However, GFA has created an environment of inclusion and support which allows us newbies to settle in quickly and with a feeling of being connected.
These are strange and uncertain times. Due to the uncertainty, our thoughts, feelings, and emotions may also be unpredictable. You may feel peaceful one day but struggle the next. This range is normal and to be expected. However, you do not need to manage this range alone. We are all in this together!