Due to the generosity of the Wasserstein Family and a start-up grant from the Beverly Hills Charitable Foundation, a student peer counseling program started at the Beverly Hills High School in February 2002. Nadia Mishael-Sweeney, LCSW, was hired as the program coordinator and there are already 9 trained student counselors seeing clients. The program is located in Room 104 in Building H of the high school. They are open from 9:30am to 1pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday during the academic year, except for school designated holidays. These services are free of charge to BHUSD high school students. If you wish to know more about the program, please contact Nadia at (310) 271-9999 x243.

Since the Columbine High School shooting and a series of tragic car accidents involving BHHS students in 1999, the Center wished to restart a student peer counseling program. Studies show that adolescents will share problems and concerns with peers more easily than with adults. With the appropriate supervision by trained professionals, a student peer counseling program can become a valuable addition on the campus.

Students interested in becoming a peer counselor should contact Nadia. The program is looking for candidates with high emotional IQ, a desire to help others and an ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Ongoing supervision and training is required. Research indicates that peer counselors find the work highly rewarding and they learn empathy, compassion and the value of therapy. They also develop better communication, problem-solving and listening skills.

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