Mental Wellness
Pace Academy is dedicated to supporting the whole child. Through our guidance counseling program, we strive to assist the young people in our care as they endeavor to become successful students and, ultimately, thriving citizens of the world. Students' social-emotional growth is a vital part of that journey.
Counselors in our Lower, Middle and Upper Schools provide guidance and support to students, parents and faculty. The counselor’s role is not only to help members of the Pace community navigate difficult life situations when they arise, but also to provide education and tools on an ongoing basis so community members are better equipped to face these challenges.
Our Philosophy
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As professional counselors, we believe that...
- All persons have dignity and worth.
- All persons deserve love, support and the fulfillment of basic needs.
- Persons of all ethnic, cultural, sexual and racial identities have the right to be respected.
- All students have the potential to achieve their goals and the abilities to function at their best.
- All persons deserve to discover and use their unique voices to empower themselves and others.
- All students have the right to be heard so that the needs of individual students and the collective student body are met.
- All students should be taught coping skills to deal with challenges they may face.
- All persons should be provided a variety of intellectual, social, mental, collective and physical resources to develop holistically.
As counselors, we...
- Support the academic mission and vision of the school.
- Advocate for safe schools and foster a nurturing school environment.
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- Follow ethical guidelines to ensure the well-being of all students, faculty and staff.
- Are knowledgeable of the school and community resources and how these might be used to benefit students, teachers and families.
- Work with our faculty, administration and support staff to meet the community's mental health needs.
- Assist classroom teachers as needed to ensure the best academic experience and performance of all students.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FIND OUT WHAT OUR COUNSELORS ARE READING AND WATCHING
Mental Wellness and Racial Trauma
In light of recent events which highlight systemic racism in our nation, the Pace Counseling Department, in partnership with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, has pulled together a list of resources on racial trauma.
Racial trauma refers to the emotional impact one experiences in regards to racism and can occur as a result of witnessing or experiencing racism and/or discrimination. Pace is committed to developing anti-racist practices and creating safe spaces of support for students and families who might encounter racial trauma.
Click below to learn more about the impact of racial trauma on mental wellness; resources for healing and support for children, families and parents; and contact information for division counselors.
The Pace Counseling Team
Resources on Mental Wellness and Racial Trauma
Gratitude
Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier
The Neuroscience of Gratitude and How It Affects Anxiety & Grief
If you feel thankful, write it down. It's good for your health
How Gratitude helps your brain and mental health
The Science behind Gratitude (and how it can change your life)
Relationships
Teenage Girls and Dating Violence: Why We Should Be Paying Attention
How Technology Changes Teen Romance
Beyond Sex Ed: How To Talk To Teens About Love
STRESS AND ANXIETY
Getting to Know and Love Your Brain (Grades K-8)
Harvard Medical Study on Stress and the Brain
6 Mindfulness Strategies to use at home with your child
Challenge Maladaptive Thoughts
It Takes a Suburb: A Town Struggles to Ease Student Stress
Teens and stress: How to keep stress in check
Why Are More American Teenagers Than Ever Suffering From Severe Anxiety?
Stress Management for Kindergartners
Stress Management Techniques: Evidence-based procedures that reduce stress and promote health
Mindfulness
At a school in Baltimore, mindfulness proves more effective than punishment
Evidence for the Impact of Mindfulness on Children and Young People
Research Round-Up: Mindfulness in Schools
Growth Mindset
Not all unkindness is bullying. Here’s why we need to teach kids to differentiate.
Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
4 Steps to a developing a Growth Mindset
TECHNOLOGY AND CHILDREN/TEENS
HAVE SMARTPHONES DESTROYED A GENERATION
Why Social Media is Not Smart for Middle School Kids
LYING
Punishing Kids for Lying Only Makes Them Lie More
DRUGS, ALCOHOL AND VAPING/JUULING
FOUR MARKETING TACTICS E-CIGARETTE COMPANIES USE TO TARGET YOUTH
TO HELP FIGHT VAPING, SCHOOL LOOK TO THEIR OWN STUDENTS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VAPING-RELATED LUNG ILLNESS
OPEN LETTER TO PARENTS ABOUT VAPING
E-Cigarettes and Young People: A Public Health Concern
Consent
How to talk to kids about sex and consent
Resilience
Dear therapist: I'm worried the College-Admissions Process is rigged against my son
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OUR CONSULTING PSYCHOLOGIST
Mark E. Crawford, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who has been practicing in Atlanta since 1989. He earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Tennessee and a master’s and Ph.D. from St. Louis University. Crawford is the author of The Obsessive-Compulsive Trap: Real Help for a Real Disorder and When Two Become Three: Nurturing Your Marriage After Baby Arrives.
In addition to his private practice, Crawford consults one day each week at Pace and frequently leads parent education sessions. To schedule an appointment with Crawford, contact Sara Eden (Upper School), Kathie Larkin (Middle School) or Wendy Lashley (Lower School).