• Welcome to Birches Counseling!
    School Counselor's Hours: 8:40am-3:55pm

    WTPS Counseling Department – Welcome Back to School Video

     

    School CounselorASCA NJSCA
    School counselors have Master's Degrees and are professionally trained in the three domains of school counseling: academic success, career readiness, and social/emotional development. Click here for the American School Counselor Association description of the elementary school counselor. Under Multi-Tiered System of Supports, direct counseling services include: school-wide activities, classroom lessons, individual planning or counseling, group counseling sessions, referral to resources.
     
    School Counselor Assignments
    In our elementary schools, students are grouped by grade levels and assigned a dedicated school counselor. To ensure consistent support, we do not honor counselor change requests from students or parents. Please contact your counselor anytime for assistance.    
     
    Department Vision/Mission
    The District School Counseling Department is Building Better People by helping all students achieve school success and plan for their future.

    BBP
     

    All About Our School Counselor! 

Phone: 856-232-1290 Ext. 3026

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BA, Elementary Education - The College of New Jersey MA, Counseling Psychology - Rutgers University Certification: School Counselor Activities: Crisis Response School Lead, Section 504 School Coordinator, No Place for Hate Lead

Mrs. Kelly Chropka, School Counselor

My experience includes over 25 years of both teaching and counseling work with elementary children. I have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University. Some of my responsibilities include  providing individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom lessons. I also serve as the 504 team coordinator for Birches. I look forward to working cooperatively with students, parents, and staff to have a great school year. 

Appointments: Email

Phone: 856-589-8441 Ext. 4149

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BA, Psychology - University of Valley Forge MA, Counseling in Educational Settings - Rowan University Certification: School Counselor Activities: Section 504 School Coordinator

Mrs. Erika Davis, Traveling School Counselor

This is my second year as a school counselor! I had the pleasure of interning at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School twice, during both my degree programs. I have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Valley Forge and a Master’s Degree in Counseling in the Educational Setting from Rowan University. My passion lies in social emotional learning to all grade levels and providing students a voice from an early age.

I am looking forward to joining the Washington Township elementary counseling team and collaborating with parents, teachers, students, and staff at the schools where I will be working. I am excited about an awesome year with you and your child!

Click here to learn more about Mrs. Davis

Appointments: Email

Phone: 856-

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

BA, Psychology - Rutgers University MS, Rehabilitation Counseling - University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Licensure: LAC

Ms. Mona Mills, Transitional Coach

 

TRANSITIONAL COACH INFORMATION: Program Registration Form
In response to the critical shortage of student support services across the nation's schools, where the average counselor-to-student ratio is 1-to-408, our program introduces a novel approach to address the unmet behavioral health needs of students. At a time when nearly 40% of students are battling untreated behavioral health disorders—a situation that significantly affects attendance, instructional time, disciplinary issues, and overall school climate—we offer hope.

Our program uniquely positions Transitional Coaches in schools to bridge the gap in student support services. These professionals, with their background in counseling, social work, and related fields, are dedicated to nurturing the potential within each child, assisting them to navigate challenges such as academic underachievement, bullying, negative peer influences, grief and loss, low self-esteem, and more.

Working in close collaboration with the school counselors, school leadership team, and staff, Transitional Coaches focus on the holistic development of students. They implement an evidence-based curriculum aimed at fostering respect for authority, goal-setting, assertive communication, substance-use prevention, cultural respect, self-value, and coping mechanisms for personal issues, trauma, and anxiety, among other topics.

Our service is uniquely designed to ensure accessibility and inclusivity, provided at no cost to students, families, or schools, and without affecting any family’s insurance premiums or plans. By aligning with the school's and district's overarching missions and goals, our program not only supports the individual student but also enhances the overall school climate, ensuring a nurturing environment for all students to thrive.