School-Based Services

Youth and Family Services (YFS) has licensed or certified mental health counselors in each of the Mercer Island School District schools on the Island. YFS counselors are a critical part of the learning environment and work collaboratively with students, families, and school staff to support the social and emotional needs of students in every school, helping them build a strong foundation for their future.

We encourage all parents to reach out to your child’s MIYFS school counselor, just as you would their teacher, as they can be a valuable resource for helping your children thrive in school. 

Elementary Schools

YFS counselors provide classroom and group work along with confidential individual mental health counseling to help young students establish the building blocks for their social and emotional well-being. YFS counselors provide a wide range of services to the four elementary schools in the Mercer Island School District including teaching mindfulness, stress management and friendship skills while also treating depression or anxiety directly in the school setting.

YFS counselors also offer consultation to parents and school staff. Reach out to your school’s YFS counselor at any time.

• Northwood, Anna Fenster, (206) 275-5841
• Island Park, Joy Cain, (206) 230-6284
• Lakeridge, Julie Mattson, (206) 230-6019
• West Mercer, Anna Orton, (206) 236-3438

Islander Middle School

There are two YFS counselors located at Islander Middle School to provide individual mentalh health and group counseling, parent/teacher consultations, and student support groups to develop the skills to manage the social-emotional challenges of middle school. YFS counselors work with students on building their resilience, skills for peer leadership, and personal empowerment while also helping them manage specific issues, including options to expressing anger or dealing with parents’ divorce.

YFS counselors also offer consultation to parents and teachers. Reach out to your school’s counselor at any time.

• Harry Brown, (206) 230-6154
• Cara Graham, (206) 230-6272

Mercer Island High School

The Resource and Referral (R&R) Place at Mercer Island High School offers students a safe and confidential space to gather informally on a drop-in basis and to seek support and guidance around the many issues and concerns facing adolescents today. A full-time YFS counselor is on site to provide a range services, including individual mental health counseling, facilitating youth leadership development programs, and teaching emotional self-care. A full-time Alcohol and Drug Intervention Specialist is also onsite offering guidance to help prevent substance abuse and, if necessary, to find other recovery support services. These services are also available to high school students who are based at Crest Learning Center.

YFS counselors also offers consultation to parents and school staff.  Please reach out to your school’s counselor at any time.

• Alcohol and Drug Intervention Specialist, Chris Harnish, (206) 236-3363
• R&R Place YFS Counselor, Caleb Visser, (206) 236-3290