The Priory School seeks a Wellness Counselor to play a pivotal role in fostering student resilience and holistic personal development. In this role, you will empower students to cultivate a strong sense of self, a healthy sense of balance, and explore meaning and purpose. Our counselors support the same caseload of students from their entry through graduation, allowing you to evolve into a vital trusted adult during this formative time of adolescence.

RESPONSIBILITIES WITH STUDENTS

• Provide human-centered, culturally-responsive, non-judgmental, individual and small-group counseling to middle and upper school students, including a small population of boarding students
• Cultivate healthy relationships and explore personal growth topics such as purpose, strengths, and values
• Create and deliver programming that addresses student well-being needs and concerns
• Use professional discretion to assess when it is appropriate to refer out for a higher level of care (ongoing psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation, etc.)
• Uphold the department’s policy of confidentiality, and clearly and appropriately communicate the limitations of confidentiality to students
• Support mission-based programming through advisory, campus ministry retreats, and campus-wide committees

RESPONSIBILITIES WITH FACULTY, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATION

• Implement programs and deliver presentations for the school community regarding mental health and wellness, adolescent development, parent/guardian support, and relevant  topics
• Assist in the management of individual and schoolwide crises in a manner aligned with best practices and community standards of care
• Effectively communicate, collaborate, and consult with faculty, staff, and administration regarding student well-being 
• Observe student behavior in classroom environments with the goal of reducing barriers to learning
• Collaborate closely with members of the student support team (Director of Learning Support; Wellness Counseling; Director of DEI; Benedictine Scholars Coordinator; College Counseling; Dean of Students; Dean of Residential Life; Head of Middle School and Head of Upper School) and other departments 
• Attend Middle School and Upper School Student of Concern meetings with other members of the student support team; weekly department meetings; and other mandatory school wide events

RESPONSIBILITIES WITH CAREGIVERS

• Serve as a resource to families on mental health and wellness in the context of individual, targeted family support and broader, community-wide containers (parent coffees and salons, Common Ground Speaker Series debriefs, etc.)
• Provide appropriate psychoeducation in support of student well-being and referrals for more robust, outside support, when appropriate
• Regularly update and deliver external-facing department information 

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Seek out and complete professional development to remain up-to-date on issues relevant to the Priory community
• Maintain an up-to-date and extensive referrals list and provide referrals to appropriate professionals both proactively and as requested by students and caregivers
• Keep records in accordance with professional best practices and the school’s systems
• Potential opportunities to coach a sport of personal interest,  moderate a club or support an affinity space.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned Master’s Degree in a counseling-related field
• Current Pupil Personnel Services credential (or non-California equivalent) or Licensed Marriage and  Family Therapist (AMFT will be considered) with counseling experience in a school setting
• Preferred: Experience with purpose learning, belonging curriculum, or SEL curriculum development

About Woodside Priory

Our Campus: Situated on a 50-acre campus in the heart of Silicon Valley, the Priory is a coeducational boarding and day school for grades 9-12 as well as a coeducational day school for grades 6-8. When you explore our campus, you will witness classrooms that support innovation, state-of-the-art facilities for our performing arts and visual arts programs, competitive athletics with 34 teams, and affordable housing for 25 faculty and staff. Our Commitment to Diversity Integrity: Priory actively seeks to advance the equity and diversity of our community through professional development, admissions, hiring and retention. We believe that diversity does not inherently lead to inclusion, but must be built through structures which uphold the social contract of those whom we admit or hire. Integrity to this social contract means a commitment to mutuality in relationships and care for the dignity of each person. Through regular reflection and examination of our own culture and practices, and growth in our cultural proficiency, Priory strives for an educational and working experience where all can be seen, known, and loved.

Connections working at Woodside Priory