Johanna Callard, LICSW, has worked in a variety of settings with children, adolescents, and families for 20 years. She received her master’s in clinical social work from the Smith College School for Social Work in 2005 and her BA from Prescott College in 2000. Her work with students has a strong relational style informed by tools from cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and expressive arts therapies, among other methodologies. Johanna’s areas of interest include group work, mindfulness and contemplative practices, resilience, and youth empowerment.

Why I love my job: “I love working with teenagers! They inspire me to be open to what is new and possible in the world. I am most at home when I am working in a community, especially one like NMH, where I am surrounded by people who truly care as much as I do about helping kids thrive.”

Sarah Barnett, LICSW, has focused her entire professional career on working with adolescents, young adults, and their families. She received her master’s in clinical social work from the Smith College School for Social Work in 2008 and BAs in psychology and sociology from Johnson State College in 2002. She has worked in a variety of environments, including fast-paced academic institutions, outpatient clinics, and private practice. Her areas of interest include healthy relationships, LGBTQ health, anxiety, and depression.

Why I love my job: “Therapists are often left to imagine our clients' lives and successes outside of our offices. The beauty of working at NMH is that I get to see, hear, and feel the students' hard work in real time. I can see them dance, hear them sing, or feel the gym rock as they knock down a three-pointer. Being able to support them through the tough times and celebrate with them through the good times is what I look forward to each day!

Michael Carter, LICSW, has been in the mental health field for the last twelve years. He holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MFA from the Vermont School of Fine Arts and an MSW from the Smith School for Social Work. His clinical approach is tailored to the individual needs of the client. His work is influenced by psychodynamic theory, Cognitive Behavioral Theory, Dialectical Behavioral Theory, Internal Family Systems as well as wellness, the creative arts, and mindfulness. He has an interest in multicultural dynamics, the body-mind connection, spirituality, and sexual and gender identity. 

What I love about my job: I love working with adolescents. To see them functioning with grace and humanity under intense pressure, to witness their presence and their becoming, is a gift and replenishes my well of hope for the future. 
 

Jeremiah Neal, LMHC, has helped children and adolescents in various capacities for the past 10 years. He received a MA in counseling psychology from Lesley University in 2014 and a BA in sociology from Georgia State University in 2009. Jeremiah’s work with clients is inherently strength-based, and is rooted in psychodynamic therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, positive psychology, and cognitive behavioral therapy. He is passionate about identity development, sports psychology, and values-oriented living.

Why I love my job: “The kids! Boarding school environments allow students to identify for themselves what their core values are. NMH, in particular, challenges students to understand who they are beyond academics in a way that emphasizes the whole individual. This holistic approach greatly aligns with my view of adolescent development.”

Kyle Pruett, MD, is a Clinical Professor of Child Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine.

Students, faculty, parents, and staff can email counseling@nmhschool.org to connect a student to a counselor. Students can also go to the Health Center and ask to speak with a counselor.

Students are free to talk about any matter that is bothering them, large or small. A counselor’s attention and guidance during the early phase of a problem may help prevent it from becoming more serious.

Discussion topics may include: roommate difficulties, cultural/ethnic concerns, adjusting to being away from home, loneliness, family problems, sexuality, procrastination, identity and self-esteem, relationships, eating problems, interpersonal conflicts, and depression, among others.

Tonya Talbot at the Health and Wellness Center can provide you with information on Dr. Pruett and can help you make an appointment.

Counseling is most effective when a student can be honest in a confidential environment. Counseling sessions are kept confidential unless there is concern about a student’s safety and wellbeing.

NMH counselors provide training for and consult with dorm faculty and student leaders throughout the school year.