Marksman Wellness Center

Our mission is to equip Marksmen with the tools they need to thrive.
Professionals. Each of the School’s three divisions (Upper School, Middle School and Lower School) has a dedicated behavioral health provider available as a resource for students, parents, faculty and staff. The counselors are experienced clinicians who understand and respond to the challenges presented by a diverse student population.  
  
Integration. The mission of the Marksman Wellness Center is to assist students and their families with academic, social, behavioral and emotional needs. The counseling team achieves this through a robust health and wellness program integrated into the academic curriculum. Counselors are present at every level of school life, from teaching classes and sponsoring clubs to chaperoning camping trips and serving as grade-level advisors.

For Community Members

Current St. Mark's students, parents, faculty and staff can access additional resources by visiting the Marksman Wellness Center page on the Resource Board.

Parents and students are always welcome to stop by the Marksman Wellness Center, located in the main corridor of Centennial Hall, room 126, or via phone at 214 346-8167.

The Lower School counselor's office is located in the Lower School office. 

Services

List of 3 items.

  • Counseling

    The first and foremost purpose of the Marksman Wellness Center is to ensure the positive mental and emotional health and well-being of the boys. To achieve this, the counseling team offers services including: 

    • Counseling for students and families requesting assistance in each Division 
    • Screening for emotional or behavioral concerns 
    • Consultation with parents regarding their son’s academic, behavioral or emotional needs 
    • Referrals to mental health providers in the community 
    • Coordination of care within the school for students working with a mental health provider outside of the School 
     
    Individual counseling offered through the school is primarily a short-term, temporary service aimed at providing immediate relief of acute distress and facilitating more effective education and socialization of the student within the school community. While our counselors provide crisis intervention and regular consultation during normal school hours, these services cannot take the place of long-term, comprehensive psychological counseling. We maintain a list of excellent community mental health providers and regularly provide referrals for students and families. 

  • Academic Success

    St. Mark's strives to help boys thrive in all areas of life. The Marksman Wellness Center can assist boys in achieving their full potential through services such as:  

    • Screening for academic difficulties 
    • Referrals for and coordination of psychoeducational assessment 
    • Review and evaluation of psychoeducational assessments to determine eligibility for classroom accommodations and supportive intervention 
    • Development of Individual Learning Plans for eligible students 
    • Coordination with College Board and ACT to establish eligibility for accommodations for students with disabilities

  • In the Classroom

    Because the Marksman Wellness Center takes a holistic approach to the development of boys in mind and body, health and wellness programs and activities are also embedded in the School's academic curriculum. In each division, counselors lead classes focused on the development of life skills and the fostering of good mental health. Teaching boys to balance their time, resolve conflicts and practice empathy results in better students and better men.   

    Lower School 
    Partnering with the faculty of the Lower School to deliver regular in-class Life Skills lessons, our youngest students receive Health and Wellness instruction in skills including: 
    • Goal setting 
    • Empathy 
    • Mindfulness and stress management 
    • Conflict resolution 
    • Kindness and empathy 
    • Leadership 
    • Healthy communication 
     
    Middle School 
    As boys enter Middle School, the counseling team partners with the physical education department to help guide the boys through their preteen and teenage years. Each year, the boys receive 18 hours of lessons on topics including: 
    • Substance abuse prevention 
    • Technology and its impact on the brain 
    • Peer pressure 
    • Personal hygiene 
    • Sex education 
    • Nutrition and healthy habits  
    • Mindfulness techniques 
    • Self-regulation 
     
    Upper School 
    The Upper School program requires every boy to take two semesters of Physical Education. This curriculum includes ten 45-minute lessons each semester provided by Dr. Bonsu, the Upper School Counselor, on topics including: 
    • Healthy relationships and sexual citizenship 
    • Drug and alcohol abuse prevention 
    • The science of addiction 
    • Study skills 
    • Stress management 
    • Understanding mental health 
    • Healthy nutrition 
"If a boy comes through my door, it's my job to help him feel comfortable, make him feel heard and make some kind of a connection."
— DR. MARY BONSU
UPPER SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

Video: Health & Wellness

Meet the Team

Gabby Reed, Ph.D.
Director of Marksman Wellness
Middle School Counselor

“Our department is about much more than just counseling. We help boys thrive academically, teach them the skills they need to be healthy and happy, and are there for them when they need social or emotional support.”
Julie Pechersky, M.Ed.
Director of Academic Success

"There is nothing more rewarding to me than observing our boys grow from year to year into academically confident young men. I hope to provide an environment where a boy feels comfortable coming to me as a resource for study skills, time management, organization or simply to help guide their success in a class."
Mary Bonsu, Psy.D.
Upper School Counselor

"Upper School is a boy’s capstone environment along the path to manhood. The Upper School counselor must strike a balance between respecting a boy’s agency and the need for autonomy while providing skills through scaffolding. I believe in trusting the process of growth, and it’s exciting to see them overcome a challenge or gain a renewed sense of confidence.”
Bridget Redondo-Doan, LMFT
Lower School Counselor

"Being physically present in the Lower School helps the students and faculty know that the counselor is accessible and present to provide support when needed. The more present the counselor is, the more familiar and comfortable the boys feel in seeking out help from the counselor."
Eliza Rosenbloom, LMSW
Academic and Wellness Specialist

"We work collaboratively with young men alongside their families and teachers to support their growth and empower them to reach their potential as well-rounded men. As an academic resource, I work with Marksmen to facilitate the development of various skills and strategies they will utilize throughout their time at St. Mark's and beyond."

St. Mark’s School of Texas

10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000

About Us

St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.

St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.