Counseling

The Holy Ghost Prep Counseling Services begin with ninth grade and extend through graduation. Services are available to all students, parents and school staff in a variety of settings and are developmental, preventative, and remedial in nature. Counseling services and guidance programs are vital components of the educational process which enable students to assess their needs, recognize their abilities, and formulate strategies to achieve their potential in a community dedicated to academic excellence and generous service to the poor.

Upcoming Events and News!

The House Cup continues through the year with multiple cor events and competitions.
Internship program! The counseling department is working with various graduate schools in the area to bring a Counseling intern to HGP every school year. If you are interested please reach out to Dr. Pollock.

Meet the Staff

Dr. Aaron Pollock

Director of Counseling (Student Last Names A-H, Montgomery Program)

Dr. Aaron S. Pollock successfully completed his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and attended Albright College for his undergraduate studies. Dr. Pollock has diverse experience in schools, outpatient mental health programs, private practice and inpatient psychiatric hospitals. Dr. Pollock’s dissertation research helped to understand the impact of over-involvement in activities on adolescents. He assisted Dr. Arthur Freeman in compiling the Encyclopedia of Cognitive Therapy and co-authored a chapter for the Encyclopedia on childhood and adolescent depression with Dr. Elizabeth Gosch. Dr. Pollock has also lectured on a variety of topics including ADHD, smoking cessation, crisis intervention, adolescent activity involvement, and working in the behavioral health field. He has been a presenter for schools, health care clinics, primary care practices, and other professionals. He is trained in the practice of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Bowen Family Systems Theory.

215-639-2102 ext. 243

Email Dr. Pollock

Allison Boehm, MS, LPC

Assistant Director of Counseling (Student Last Names I-Z)

Mrs. Allison R. Boehm successfully completed her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and attended Temple University for her undergraduate studies, where she was a Division 1 Scholarship Athlete for Rowing. Mrs. Boehm has diverse experience in schools, outpatient mental health programs, Partial Hospitalization Programs, and Brain Injury Rehabilitation. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania and is trained as a Brain Injury specialist, as well as, in the practice of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

215-639-2102 ext. 270

Email Mrs. Boehm

Guidance Class

Guidance Class

Freshman and first semester sophomore guidance classes are taught by the counseling department. Students meet with a counselor in a classroom setting once per cycle to discuss social, emotional, wellness, and academic topics relevant to the development and health of adolescents.

Some topics covered in guidance classes include the PA Safe2Say Something program, self-care, executive functioning, internet safety, goal setting, drugs and alcohol, organization, time management, and effective strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and emotions.

Cor / Unum Program

Cor / Unum Program

The Cor Unum program is a unique and innovative approach to school spirit and community that is at the center of Holy Ghost Prep. Starting with Freshman Orientation, students are placed into one of 16 Spiritan life groups that are part of four larger houses. Spiritan life groups include members of our community from all grades, faculty, staff, and administration. These groups meet frequently to discuss topics relevant to the Holy Ghost Prep experience and the state of our greater society. The groups also regularly participate in fun, community building exercises and events.

The Cor Unum program is facilitated by faculty and staff but is also run by upperclassmen student Unum leaders. Unum leaders act as peer mentors who provide guidance, connection, and support for freshman and other students. Unum leaders apply, interview, and are selected to be a part of this highly regarded group.

Montgomery Scholars Program

Montgomery Scholars Program where HGP meets the needs of neurodiverse learners.

Launched in the fall of 2016, the Montgomery Scholars Program provides extra academic support and intervention to HGP students accepted into the program. MSP provides individualized support by a Learning Support Specialist to enable each student to grow as an independent learner.

The Montgomery Scholars program is named after Kevin Montgomery whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 17 from complications of a diabetic attack in 1998. Montgomery, who carried a 3.98 GPA and was set to attend Duquesne University that fall, was one of those students who dove into everything that Holy Ghost Prep had to offer. He also found time to tutor his classmates and ended up being the driving force behind the creation of the Holy Ghost Prep National Honor Society tutoring program.

MSP is invested in teaching

Flexibility
Goal-directed persistence
Metacognition
Organization
Planning/Prioritization
Response Inhibition
Sustained Attention
Task Initiation
Time Management
Working Memory
Self Advocacy
Study Skills

Who can benefit from MSP?

Students with academic challenges due to mild learning differences or attention difficulties.

When do we start?

The summer prior to freshman year the boys are engaged in mini-lessons in English and Math as a refresher and Study Skills to help their year start off in a positive direction.

How much does the program cost?

The cost of the program is $5,000 per year.

What does MSP offer?

Freshmen attend an Academic Strategies class in addition to their regular 9th grade courses and receive 1 credit toward their GPA.
Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors in the program meet in small groups called Learning Extensions that are comprised of 1-3 students for grade/course specific help in relation to executive function skills.
Students meet with the Learning Support Specialist 1-7+ times per 8 day cycle, depending on the student’s needs.
The Learning Support Specialist acts as an intermediary between the student, parents, and faculty, advocating for the student’s success.

MSP coordinates with:

Catapult teachers for tutoring in Math and English
NHS tutors for any subject offered at Holy Ghost Prep
Outside providers (tutors, evaluators, educational advocates)

Dr. Aaron Pollock Director of the Montgomery Scholars Program

apollock@holyghostprep.org

Theresa Kohler Learning Support Specialist

tkohler@holyghostprep.org

Parent Education Series

The Holy Ghost Prep Parent Education Series brings nationally recognized speakers and experts on campus to provide helpful guidance and support around raising and developing healthy, well adjusted young men. The Parent Education Series offers talks throughout the year that are free and open to our parent community. Past topics have included Adolescent Stress and Anxiety, Substance Use Issues, The Teenage Brain, and the Impact of Youth Sports Participation.

Session #1 Presented by Gretchen Hagenbuch M.Ed., CPS on October 5th 2021

Talking With Your Son About Vaping and Substance Use

For those unable to attend Session Powerpoint

Session #1 Presented by Theresa Puckett on October 8th 2020

The Best Tool We Have as Parents - Our Relationship with Our Teen

For those unable to attend Recorded Session

Session #2 Presented by Dr. Halpern hosted by Jefferson University on December 12th 2020

Michael’s Giving H.A.N.D. Teenage Stress and Depression

For those unable to attend Session PowerPoint

Additional Services: Catapult Counseling and Tutoring

Catapult Learning

Catapult Website

Credentialed, Masters level school counselors, staffed by Catapult Learning, work as a team with the school staff, parents, and the community to create a caring environment where students become healthy, competent, and confident learners. Counselors provide turn key counseling for students or groups of students who need extra support for behavioral, academic, social, and emotional challenges. Catapult Learning also provides professional tutoring services by licensed teachers to students. These services are free of charge for Pennsylvania residents.

Catapult Counselor

Catapult Math Tutor