If you or someone you know is in danger of self-harm, please call 911 and/or the Suicide Prevention Lifeline right away: 988. Anxious about Covid-19? Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
Queer Eye's Antoni Porowski on the importance of asking for help (from the Child Mind Institute's What I Would Tell #MyYoungerSelf campaign to destigmatize mental health).
Nobles counselors are available to talk with you about any issue you might be dealing with. All conversations are completely confidential unless we have concerns about safety. (For example, if someone is threatening or harming you, if you express suicidal intentions, or if you are talking about harming yourself or another person.) In such cases, you can trust that your information will be handled with the utmost discretion, and the goal will always be to ensure that you have the support you need to be safe and well.
Students can confidentially talk about feelings of sadness or anxiety, share personal information, etc. without worrying that teachers, parents, guardians etc. will be informed. If a student is having intense thoughts or feelings and is feeling hesitant about coming to talk with a counselor for fear that their information will not be held in confidence, we encourage you to come and share whatever you feel comfortable sharing. We most certainly want to support you and hope that you will grow to trust that talking about those deeper feelings can lead to the greater support that you deserve.
Jennifer Hamilton, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Licensed Educational Psychologist, joined the Nobles faculty in 2001. Her goal is to create a space where all adolescents feel comfortable talking about their concerns. Hamilton is particularly interested in the relationship of anxiety to achievement, learning and connectivity. She espouses a strengths-based, positive psychology approach to counseling and is interested in finding ways to share tools to enhance the well-being of all students. Jen enjoys teaching The Science of Well-Being and advising “Nobles Heads Together,” a student-run club that aims to decrease the stigma around mental health challenges and promote wellness. She is also on the planning committee for the annual AISNE Health and Wellness Symposium. Before Nobles, Hamilton worked at Winston Preparatory School in New York City. She earned both her graduate and undergraduate degrees at Tufts University. |
Mark Spence |
Mary Batty rejoined the Nobles faculty in 2003, years after beginning her career as an English teaching fellow. What she loved most about that year was getting to know students and helping them figure out how to deal with the challenges in their lives. After her TF year, she earned her master’s of education in school counseling from Boston University. Batty has been the director of counseling at Worcester Academy and the Pingree School. When a job opened at Nobles, Batty says she “jumped at the chance to return to the school that had inspired me to become a counselor.” After many years in the world of private schools, Batty maintains that “Nobles is a special place.” |
LaTasha Sarpy LaTasha Sarpy has been working in the social work field for about 15 years. Outside of Nobles, she primarily works with women and children but also works with male clients. She specializes in trauma-focused/informed therapy modalities, women's issues, issues related to race and cultural competence, anxiety and ADHD. She loves to laugh and eat, so you should expect many of your discussions to include food and lots of laughter. She would like you to know that when you enter into her space, it is a judgement-free zone and that all should feel welcomed. |
Charles Boateng Charles Boateng is a current master’s in social work candidate at Simmons University. He has worked as a program coordinator for the Dedham Organization for Substance Awareness in Dedham Town Hall and is currently completing his clinical hours at Gennew mental health services in Dedham. He primarily works with middle and high school youth about topics like substance use, mental health, and mindfulness practice. He received his bachelor’s in psychology from Syracuse University. Charles was born and raised in Ghana and his family moved to Cambridge, Mass. when he was seven years old. He loves to film and edit videos, laugh, connect with people and learn new things. |
Not sure who you'd like to meet?
Email counseling@nobles.edu and we'll help you find the right match.