Middle School Counseling

Vali Stuntz is the school counselor for Woodstock Union Middle School. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Psychology and received an M.A. in Psychology from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, with a focus in Strategic Family Therapy. Vali has also completed numerous post-graduate courses as part of her ongoing professional development and to meet the qualifications for additional professional certifications. These include a Vermont certification in School Guidance, Vermont certification as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and certification as an Emergency First Responder.
Vali came to this position with 16 years of training and experience working with children, adolescents and their families in a variety of educational, clinical and community settings. She's also been involved in program development, clinical research projects, wellness education, and parent education. Most importantly, she has made it her life work to assist youth to realize their potential, develop their dreams and then set a course of action.
Whether she is working with an individual, a group of students, parents or an entire family, her focus has always been to assist with effective communication, clarify and work towards goals, and guide individuals to make healthy choices that will enable them to attain their goals and to lead joyful, healthy and productive lives. Visit Vali's Edline site.

High School Counseling

SUZY HALLOCK-BANNIGAN is the Chairperson of the Counseling Services Department and she has been at our school since l976.  Suzy earned her Bachelor’s degree at Mount Holyoke College, her Master’s at Lesley College, and she also holds a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling Psychology from the University of Vermont.  In addition to being a School Counselor, Suzy is a counselor educator and a counselor supervisor for the William Glasser Institutes here in the United States and in the Republic of Ireland.  Suzy is a past recipient of the Guzetta Award which is awarded annually to a counselor in Vermont “who consistently provides excellent service to young people through caring and dedication.”  She has also been named Vermont Counselor of the Year in the College Admissions Process.  Suzy coordinates the peer helpers program and access the Peer Facilitation Program Position Statement of the American School Counselors Association as a guide.  You can contact Suzy by calling 892/457-1930 or emailing her at suzy@wuhsms.org; she’ll be glad to hear from you.

Andrea Carr has been a high school counselor at Woodstock Union High School since 2008 and previously was a school counselor in Pennsylvania.  She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Education degree in School Counseling.  Andrea also has experience as a therapist in the community setting working with children/adolescents and their families.  Andrea enjoys spending time with her family and friends and taking part in outdoor activities.

Chris Cate graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.A. in Sociology and received an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Goddard College.  He has experiences working in residential programs for youth, mental health facilities, group homes, public schools, and rehabilitating individuals from the department of corrections.  He has also been a licensed foster parent, soccer and lacrosse coach, and scrap metal and recycling manager. Chris serves as our school's official liaison to military services as well as to the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center.  Interests are skiing, swimming, rafting, being outdoors, helping students reach their goals and dreams, and hanging out with his son Ronan.