The School Counseling Group is a team of professionals who practice a collaborative and compassionate approach to guide and support families in their decision-making process around school, gap year, college or therapeutic placement. Collectively, our consultants have spent decades in a variety of settings as students, teachers, administrators, counselors, parents and coaches. When you work with any one of us, you are supported by the experience and wisdom of the entire team.

Peter Sturtevant Jr.

DIRECTOR

  • Peter became Director of The School Counseling Group in 2000 after eighteen years in independent schools. From 1992-2000, Peter served as Head of School at The Gunston School in Centreville, Maryland, where he led the school in creating its signature Bay Studies Program and then through a significant change of mission from an all-girls boarding school to a co-ed day serving the region. Before Gunston, Peter worked at the Maret School in Washington, DC, teaching English and humanities, coaching, advising seniors in the college admissions process, and serving as Senior Master of the Upper School. A native Washingtonian, Peter attended Potomac and graduated from Landon. He later earned a B.A. in Religion from Bowdoin College, an M.A. in English from Middlebury College, and an M.A.L.S. from Skidmore College in Counseling Philosophy. Peter is a Board-Certified Coach (BCC) through the Center for Credentialing and Education

Jen Parsell

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES

  • Jen has served as the Director of Client Services for The School Counseling Group since 2013. In this role, she is often the first point of contact for all new client inquiries and supports families throughout the placement process. Jen communicates regularly with the counselors and the director and helps keep SCG organized behind the scenes. Jen earned her B.A. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to joining The School Counseling Group, Jen worked as an early childhood educator and administrator for over ten years. She began her career in Boston, before moving to Chicago and finally settling in Washington, DC. Jen also spent two years overseas in Tel Aviv, Israel working as the Community Liaison Office Coordinator at the US Embassy, where she provided support and assistance to American families living and working in Tel Aviv.

Nick Everdell

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL CONSULTANT

  • Having served as Director of Recruitment at Yale Law School, and Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia Law School, Nick has read close to 15,000 graduate school applications. He knows a good application when he sees one, and he has first-hand knowledge about what admissions officers look for when building an incoming class. Nick acts as a trusted voice to help clients wade through all of the inaccurate information on the internet, and set them on the right path. In addition to his guidance on putting together the actual applications, he can advise on course selection, summer and post-graduate employment, long-term plans, and even extracurricular activities, which matter more and more as admissions becomes more holistic. His favorite part of the process is making a match between a student and a school, which he has done with great success since beginning his career as a consultant in 2016. The son of boarding school teachers, Nick is a graduate of the Lawrenceville School and holds a B.A. from Cornell University, where he majored in Russian. He got his start working in admissions at Vermont Academy, and then went on to earn an M.A. from the Klingenstein Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, which focuses on developing leaders in independent education. Best Piece of Advice: “Worry less about what schools want to see and more about what you want to show them.

Tom Harvey

THERAPEUTIC CONSULTANT

  • Having worked in the mental health field for over twenty five years, Tom understands that each family’s situation is complex and unique. He works closely with families to find options that meet each client’s individual needs and routinely travels across the US and abroad visiting hundreds of therapeutic options for children, adolescents and young adults. Prior to joining SCG, Tom held various positions in therapeutic programs including wilderness field instructor, counselor and director as well as helped design, launch and manage programs to enable adolescents and young adults to reach their full potential through building positive peer and family relationships. Tom earned his B.A. in Psychology from Williams College and his Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Educational Psychology) from Massey University in New Zealand. He is a professional member in good standing of the Therapeutic Consulting Association (TCA) and the National Association of Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

Brie Jeweler-Bentz

DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING

  • Brie joined the School Counseling Group in 2009 and is a native of the Washington, DC area. She attended Montgomery County public schools, earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and received her Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She has several years of clinical experience in university counseling centers, including DePaul University in Chicago and The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Brie has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate level and has been a private academic tutor and college advisor for local area high school students. Prior to her graduate studies, Brie worked as an undergraduate admissions officer for the University of Michigan. She was responsible for reviewing prospective freshman application materials and for making subsequent recommendations for admission. Brie has a clinical interest in the stress that often accompanies the college application process, and she has given several lectures on the topic.

Mari McDonald

COLLEGE CONSULTANT

  • A holistic thinker, Mari works to develop a deeper understanding of each student she encounters – learning about a particular student’s unique strengths and offering guidance on how to articulate those strengths in order to maximize success in the college application process. A Washington, D.C. native who graduated from St. Andrew’s, Mari returned to our nation’s capital after living in Northern Ireland where she earned a B.A. from Queen’s University. Mari’s commitment to D.C. area parents and students runs deep. She began her professional career at the Holton Arms School and since then has contributed to several other independent school communities, including The Madeira School, The Lab School, and most recently, her alma mater, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Mari has also served on the board of The Sheridan School for ten years and was appointed as Sheridan’s Head of School Search Committee Chair.

Cyndy Norford

CLIENT SERVICES COORDINATOR

  • Cyndy joined an expanded SCG client support team in the spring of 2023. After ending her career in banking as senior vice president, she went on to lead the development effort for Junior Achievement in Atlanta. Later, she founded and served as CFO for a successful fitness company for pregnant women and new mothers. In 2008 Cyndy relocated to Northern Virginia with her husband and two young children and transitioned to full-time parenthood and community service. She has held several leadership positions within her community, including as member of the Executive Board of Directors and Registrar for Reston Swim Team Association and as parent volunteer responsible for producing two annual school musicals at Lake Anne Elementary. As a result of these efforts, she was recognized in 2021 with the Kim Klarman Award for outstanding community service. Cyndy is a strong proponent of education and mental health, especially for children and adolescents. She holds an MBA from Columbia University and a BA in Economics and Spanish from Bucknell University.

Katherine Ross

BOARDING SCHOOL AND COLLEGE CONSULTANT

  • Katherine joined The School Counseling Group in 2015. She received her B.A. in English from UNC Chapel Hill and received a M.A. in Counseling and Human Development from The George Washington University. Katherine is a licensed clinical mental health counselor associate (LCMHC-A) and a member of IECA. Prior to joining the SCG team, Katherine worked at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School in D.C. and then at a private counseling practice in Bethesda, Maryland, where she provided individual and group counseling to students, families, and young adults, presenting a wide spectrum of learning, emotional, and social functioning needs. Katherine currently works out of our Charlotte, NC office, consulting with students both in Charlotte and surrounding areas, and in the DC Metro area.

Jewel Walwyn

COLLEGE CONSULTANT

  • Jewel is a seasoned college counselor with over two decades of experience assisting hundreds of students in navigating the intricate college application process. Hailing from the University of Virginia with a BA in English and an M.Ed in Education, she possesses a unique blend of academic expertise and a genuine passion for empowering students. As an Assistant Director of Admissions, Jewel gained valuable insights into what colleges are seeking in a compelling college application. This firsthand experience allows her to help students craft authentic and persuasive narratives that stand out in a competitive pool of applicants. With an unwavering commitment to the art of the admissions process, Jewel immerses herself in the college journey with each student. She thrives on building meaningful relationships and works diligently alongside her students every step of the way, creating a supportive environment that fosters comfort and increases knowledge along their path to higher education.

Lindsay White

DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL CONSULTANT

  • With over 15 years of experience supporting families in the school selection process, Lindsay knows that finding the right school is the foundation for future success. She uses a collaborative and thoughtful approach to help families navigate the school search and application process. Lindsay joined The School Counseling Group in 2009 and is a member of IECA. A native of Pennsylvania, she attended local public and independent schools before enrolling, for high school, at Garrison Forest School in Baltimore as a boarder. After graduating from St. Lawrence University in NY, with a B.A. in Sociology and English, Lindsay earned an M.A. in School Counseling from New York University. Lindsay enjoys many years of experience serving both as a school counselor and an admissions representative. She has worked in the admissions office at The Maret School, was the Director of Counseling at The Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, and was a counselor at East Manhattan Outreach School. Combining her counseling background and her experience in admissions allows Lindsay to guide families through the school admissions process with confidence.

  • "Lindsay, I thought that as you head into your busiest time I would take a minute to let you know that you are fabulous. What you did for us, explaining all the details and nuances of that insanely time consuming and emotionally draining process, and then holding our hand through what was a crazy end to the story – was the ONLY way we were going to get from point A to point B. And I am thrilled to report that T is THRIVING! Seriously – what a difference! So, as the trials and tribulations of February come down on you and that first week in March comes and goes – please know that you helped change the life of a handsome, tall (5 foot 5 inches already), smart, pale redheaded boy."

    HQ

  • "Brie, we are beyond happy and excited!!! We can't thank you enough for your support, recommendations, help, guidance, and on and on! You provided (and still do) a level of expertise and comfort that helped B (and me!) more than you know!"

    LR

  • "Lindsay, I just want to add a huge thank you from me as well. You really took the stress out of this process - for us, and for the boys. We honestly couldn’t have done it without you. I loved the patient way you coached the boys - and the parents! - through all the steps. And you know the schools so well. Right from the start, you matched our psychologies with the right campuses. So thank you, thank you, thank you!"