Emotional Wellness and Counseling
Welcome to the Counseling Office at Keystone School!
Alison Raymer and Erica Shapiro make up the counseling team at Keystone School. We’d like to take this opportunity to tell you more about ourselves and the work that we do with your children here at Keystone.
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Alison has been working as a Licensed Professional Counselor in San Antonio for 24 years, both in private practice and as a counselor in independent schools. Her heart is in education, and she learned early in her career that working with young people and their families in schools is where she belonged. She earned her BA in Psychology from Southwestern University, her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University, and has since received extensive training and additional certifications in the areas of social and emotional learning, conflict resolution, cognitive behavioral therapy, peer mediation, grief counseling and, most recently, mindfulness.
Mrs. Alison Raymer
Dr. Erica Shapiro
Erica is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Texas and has experience with children and families in a variety of capacities including private practice, hospitals, and psychological research. She attended an independent school in North Texas from pre-kindergarten through 12thgrade and always knew she wanted to return to the school setting. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of Texas, her MA and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Southern Methodist University, and she has specialized training and experience in the areas of suicide prevention, child development, parenting, and assessment of developmental disorders.
As Keystone’s Counselors we seek to nurture and support the emotional and social development and well-being of our students. The school has a comprehensive, holistic approach to social and emotional learning, and it is our job to implement and oversee developmentally appropriate programs that will encourage positive growth for students within each division.
In the Lower School we oversee the Social and Emotional Learning program, and regularly visit classrooms and lead lessons in topics such as perseverance, good sportsmanship and mindfulness.
In the Middle School, primarily through Town Hall and the advisory program, we lead discussions and share information about many of the social and emotional challenges that middle schoolers experience and help them develop strategies for handling them in healthy and constructive ways.
In the Upper School, we co-teach a class entitled Self and Community to 9th grade students. The class is designed to help students develop skills to enhance well-being, and make responsible choices when faced with the pressures and challenges of life. Topics include stress-relief and relaxation skills, communication, strategies for negotiating and refusing peer pressure, and information about alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We also sponsor the Wellness Council, in which students help lead discussions and events centered around areas of personal health and wellness.
Across all three divisions, we provide support for students and their families, responsive to the emotional needs that arise as a result of life circumstances or due to issues that come up at school. Our goal is to help children develop a “toolbox” of skills that they can use to manage their own emotions, friendships, and relationships. We work closely with all three division heads on issues that arise in the classroom, ensuring that our approach to behavioral issues is coordinated and comprehensive, and that emotional needs are addressed.
If there are extraordinary situations at home or if you have concerns about your child’s social or emotional well-being, please feel free to contact us. Issues that arise might include illness or death in the family, divorce, separation or remarriage, relocation, or changes in routine. If necessary, we can provide referrals or direct you to appropriate community resources. Working together, we can take the best steps to meet your child’s needs.
Alison is on campus all day Monday and Wednesday, and Thursday from 9-2. Erica is on campus all day Tuesday and Friday, and Thursday from 12-4. Both counselors can be reached at all times via email or phone message.
It is our great privilege to be a part of your children’s lives each day, and we look forward to our partnership on their behalf.
Warmly,
Alison and Erica
Alison Raymer Erica R. Shapiro, Ph.D.
Keystone School Counselor Keystone School Counselor
(210) 735-4022 x 323 (210) 735-4022 x 323
araymer@keystoneschool.org eshapiro@keystoneschool.org