Welcome to the Counseling Department at St. Francis Xavier Jesuit School

Who are your School Counselors? 

Giovanna McDermott
Ms. Giovanna is new to SFX this year, but not new to education. She holds a
Bachelor’s in English and taught high school for many years in Phoenix Union HS District. She continued her education and has a Master’s in Counseling & Psychology and is a licensed practical counselor. She’s done counseling for all ages, including adolescents for the Dept. of Juvenile Corrections, as well the CASA during her internship. She continued with her education and is certified in Reading, English as a Second Language and School Principal. At present she continues to teach ESL and Reading for the past 25 years at Phoenix College. She feels she is fulfilling her purpose
by making a difference in the lives of young people. Giovanna is a single mother of a grown son, Nathaniel, who she is very proud of. When not working, she continues to writing books in the hopes of publishing at least one of them some day soon!
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Cindy Kaul
Mrs. Kaul received an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish from NC State University. She holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from UNC Charlotte and a Master of Arts in Education Administration from California State University- Bakersfield. While living in CA, she worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist for the Kern County Department of Mental Health. In this role, she provided counseling to children who were receiving special education services in the public school system and their families. She later worked as a high school counselor in CA, providing students with academic, career and personal counseling. After her first child was born in 2005, she took a break from working full time to stay at home with her children. She started with SFX in August 2021. She is excited to work with the families and staff at SFX to support the social and emotional development of students as they mature into Kids For Others. 

Schedules
Mrs. McDermott is on campus on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Her primary focus is grades 5-8. Mrs. Kaul is on campus on Thursdays and Fridays. Her primary focus is PreK-4. Although the counselors are assigned to specific grade levels, both are always available to any child regardless of grade if a need arises when they are on campus. 
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What is School Counseling? 
Our school counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, and administrators to assist students' social and emotional development. At SFX, we strive to foster the development of the whole child by not only focusing on academic success, but also supporting emotional, spiritual and physical wellness. Cura Personalis is the Latin phrase that translates as "care for the entire person." This expression is a hallmark of Ignatian Spirituality and suggests that our relationships with students address each child as an individual having a unique set of gifts, struggles, potential and worth. In counseling, we strive to enhance students' education by helping them develop appropriate social skills and coping strategies, and to instill a positive self-concept. 

Mrs. McDermott and Mrs. Kaul are available for classroom lessons, small group counseling, individual counseling and referrals to outside services, if needed. ​

  • Classroom Lessons: Teachers can request lessons to be taught by Mrs. McDermott or Mrs. Kaul. Examples of topics include self-esteem, friendship skills, conflict resolution, feelings & emotions, positive school behavior, and coping skills. 
  • Small Group Counseling: If a child is referred to participate in small group counseling, a permission form will be sent home to inform the parents of the purpose/goals of the group and topics to be discussed. Parents have the option to decline the invitation for their child to participate. Small groups typically have 3-5 students.
  • Individual Counseling: Students may be referred to Mrs. McDermott or Mrs. Kaul by their parents, teachers or principal. Students may also request to see a counselor. Students are referred to counseling to talk through feelings, friendship, conflict, self-esteem, separation/divorce, death/loss, social-skills, study-skills and much more.  School counseling is useful during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success. We collaborate with teachers to determine the best time to pull children out of class so that their academic schedule has minimal disruptions. ​
Confidentiality
In order to benefit the most from working with the counselor, rapport and confidentiality are very important. What is said in the counseling office will remain confidential with the following exceptions:
  • Harm to self and/or others
  • Abuse and neglect

If there is ever a need to break confidentiality, the counselor will let the child know in advance and work with the child to handle the situation in a way that respects his/her feelings and needs.

Referrals to Outside Services
School counseling is considered a short term resource. Outside resources will be provided for issues that are beyond the scope of school counseling or that require ongoing, long term counseling. School counselors are trained to recognize and respond to mental health needs that may require a referral for additional help outside of school. 

Please feel free to reach out to a school counselor if you have any questions, concerns or to request assistance. 

Giovanna McDermott     (5th - 8th grade)                                     
Phone (602) 212-4564                           giovanna.mcdermott@sfxphx.org

Cindy Kaul (PreK - 4)
Phone (602) 212-4564
cindy.kaul@sfxphx.org                  
Phone: (602) 266-5364
Fax: (602) 279-0423
St. Francis Xavier Jesuit Catholic Elementary School
4715 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012

St. Francis Xavier School, a faith community grounded on Jesuit principles of superior education, cultivates excellence in mind, body, and spirit sending forth Kids for Others.