Search

Counseling Department

Welcome to Counseling!

Vision Statements :

To empower all students to become successful emotionally, socially, and academically.

Mission Statement:

Building off of our diverse community, we believe that we need to educate the whole student and help all students become lifelong learners and citizens in the global community. We believe in working as a team to help equitably meet all our students’ individual needs.

Important Mental Health Links

Visit the Arlington Mental Health website

Bullying Prevention (Information for Parents) www.apsva.us/office-of-student-services/bully-prevention/

In Crisis/Need Help Now?
www.apsva.us/mental-health-services/in-crisis-need-help-now/

If you or someone you care about is in crisis, take action (your friend will thank you later).  You have options. Try these tips for supporting a friend or family member:

    • Call the Crisis Link Hotline at 703-527-4077 or text them at 703-997-5444
    • Chat online with a specialist at CrisisChat.org or ImAlive.org
    • 24 hour emergency resources: 844-627-4747 / 571-364-7390
    • Go to the nearest emergency room at your local hospital
    • Call 911

Administrative Assistants

yhsMs. Rivera
Administrative Specialist
ruby.rivera@apsva.us

YHS EmblemMs. Frye
Administrative Specialist
julie.frye@apsva.us

YHS EmblemMs. Berhane
Administrative Assistant
freweini.berhane@apsva.us

Counseling Staff

User Image

Johanna Boyers

Director of Counseling

johanna.boyers@apsva.us

Ms Johanna Boyers is the Director of Counseling at Yorktown High School.

Carol Thompson

User Image

Danielle Dessaso

College & Career Counselor

danielle.dessaso@apsva.us

User Image

Jessica Reeve

Intervention Counselor

jessica.reeve@apsva.us

User Image

Cassandra Daniels

9th & 11th Grade Counselor

cassandra.daniels@apsva.us

User Image

Rafael Espinoza

9th & 11th Grade Counselor

rafael.espinoza@apsva.us

User Image

Susan Rochard

9th & 11th Grade Counselor

susan.rochard@apsva.us

Sofia Panzenhagen

10th & 11th grade M-W-TH

sofia.panzenhagen@apsva.us

User Image

Carolyn Kroeger

9th & 11th Grade Counselor

carolyn.kroeger@apsva.us

User Image

Allison Gilbert

9th & 12th Grade Counselor

allison.gilbert@apsva.us

User Image

Jeffrey Stahl

10th & 12th Grade Counselor

jeffrey.stahl@apsva.us

User Image

Jeannine Devlin

10th & 12th Grade Counselor

jeannine.devlin@apsva.us

User Image

Heather Kennedy

10th & 12th Grade Counselor

heather.kennedy@apsva.us

User Image

Mary Armstrong

10th & 12th Grade Counselor

mary.armstrong@apsva.us

Psychologists and Social Workers

Bethany Banal
School Psychologist
703-228-2612
bethany.banal2@apsva.us
Bethany Banal, M.S.Ed. C.A.G.S., N.C.S.P., received a B.A. degree in Psychology and Music from Washington & Jefferson College, and completed both her M.S. Ed. in Child Psychology and C.A.G.S. in School Psychology at Duquesne University.  Combining her background and interest in the power of music and the arts to address a variety of needs, Bethany continued her education at Seton Hill University where she earned a Music Therapy Certificate.  Prior to joining the Yorktown family, Bethany worked as a school psychologist in both Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.
Solange Caovan-Hornbake
School Psychologist
703-228-5385
solange.caovan@apsva.us
Solange Caovan-Hornbake, M.A., N.C.S.P. (Ms. Hornbake) is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist who received a B.A. in psychology at George Mason University and a Masters of Arts in School Psychology at George Mason University. She has worked as a school psychologist in Arlington Public Schools with elementary, middle, and high school students. Mrs. Caovan-Hornbake relaxes by cooking, spending time with family and friends, and reading
Kim Wilson
School Psychologist
Kimberly.Wilson@apsva.us 
Kim Wilson went to JMU and got my BA in psychology with a minor in sociology. She later got her Ed.S. at William and Mary in School Psychology. Before coming to Arlington, she also worked in Prince William County. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, walking, and running.
Natalie Edwards
Social Worker
703-228-5356
natalie.edwards@apsva.us
Natalie Edwards, M.S.W. is a graduate of Elon University and earned her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) in 2010.  She became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker 2014.  She brings extensive experience working in the mental health field with children and adolescents. She enjoys engaging with Yorktown community members and providing supportive services to students. Ms. Edwards relaxes by riding her bike and spending time outside.
Catherine Hall
Social Worker
703-228-5365
catherine.hall@apsva.us
Catherine Hall, M.S.W, L.C.S.W, received a BA in English literature and MSW from Catholic University of America.  She has worked in APS schools for over 8 years in elementary, middle, high school, and alternative education settings. Catherine’s strength-based perspective focuses on identifying and leveraging the inherent strengths and resources within individual students to foster growth and resilience.  She enjoys working collaboratively with students and families to build existing skills and resources to overcome challenges. In her free time, Catherine enjoys spending time walking/hiking and generally being outdoors. She and her husband have three grown children and one teenager.
Jenny Sexton
Substance Abuse Counselor
703-228-2541
jennifer.sexton@apsva.us
Ms. Jenny Sexton, S.A.C, F.A.C- holds credentials as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), as well as a Forensic Addiction Counselor (FAC), and a Qualified Mental Health Counselor. Ms. Sexton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Sociology, with a minor in Administration of Justice, from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise; a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology from Marymount University; and a career diploma in Substance Abuse Counseling from Penn Foster college. Ms. Sexton began working in the field of addictions counseling more than 20 years ago. Ms. Sexton has been a member of the APS Substance Abuse Counseling team for 9 years, where she serves the elementary and high school population. She is also the Narcan trainer for the school system and a participant on the Arington Addiction Recovery Initiative (AARI) task force.
Mila Vascones-Gatski
Interlude Therapist
Deb Gilman
Interlude Therapist