As students prepare for their third year of school during COVID-19, the demand for and importance of access to counseling have intensified. Winnie Kearns is a new counselor at Parker who’s noticed a dramatic shift in mental health after a year and a half of online learning. 

Before joining the “extremely vibrant community” she found at Parker, Kearns completed her bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Cornell University before furthering her education at the University of Chicago. Her studies led Kearns to work for United Charities and, soon after, DePaul University as a community mental health practitioner for children and families in surrounding areas.

Kearns’ brief welcome to the Parker community was in 2016 through her work teaching a refined version of the health curriculum Upper School Counselor Gary Childrey developed for freshmen and seniors. While teaching these lessons on sexuality, school stressors, and mental health studies, she enjoyed the collaboration and environment working in a school setting.  Now, Kearns returns to Parker with a 35-year-long career in a mental health setting with many ideas and goals for the new school year.

“There is no question that the pandemic has heightened all developmental challenges for your generation,” Kearns said. “And some are unknowingly still feeling the effects today.”

By working alongside any age group, Kearns caters to the needs of whoever knocks on her door, from individuals entering high school to seniors going through the college process. With her overarching goal to destigmatize students’ relationships with counseling, her first task is creating an approachable environment, starting with her office space. Rethinking everything to create a comfortable room, Kearns plans to include couches, an open-door policy, and easy ways to set up meetings. Although her office is unfortunately tucked into a corner, Kearns intends to make room 425 widely known throughout the school. 

A significant issue worldwide is the stigma around therapy. Kearns’ overall goal at Parker is to encourage seeking help and deem it normal to come into her office for a conversation. From working at her private practice, she found that “in terms of recognizing mental health, there is still hesitation and worry in needing to seek help.” 

To begin destigmatizing counseling at Parker, she aims to make everyone aware of the resources she offers. Kearns is excited to introduce herself to everyone in the school, beginning with new-to-Parker students in the Bridge program.

Whether it’s to schedule meetings, eat lunch in her office, or talk about the awful Chicago weather, Kearns would love nothing more than for a student to come in for a conversation. She is ready to further immerse herself in the Parker community and adapt to every need of every student.