Jack Cristofani, M.Ed., LMHC

I have worked as an adolescent and young adult clinician in schools and in outpatient services. Prior to becoming a counselor, I was a MS/HS English and Social Studies teacher. I made the switch when I realized how important healthy mental health was to a student's ability to successfully meet the challenges in and out of the classroom.

Working with young people is all I have ever wanted to do. I announced this to my 8th grade math class when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said I wanted to be a teacher. I have come to understand that effective teachers are those who can address the academic and mental health challenges of their students. I engage with young people as competent human beings who are more than capable of improving their quality of life; they just need to be given the tools and some direction. I tell them that counseling is not about me, the school, or their parents. It is about what they want, what they need, and what they are willing to do to get. My role is to help them make it all possible. It isn't going to be easy or happen overnight, but if they are persistent they can make positive change in their lives.