GBS School Counseling

Hello GBS Families – we wanted to make sure you are aware of the counseling services available at GBS, and so that you can get to know us better. We are available to all GBS Bobcats, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to Laura or Bob if you would like to talk about any issues or concerns for your student.

•  Laura Gourlay is the School Counselor, and is celebrating her 15th year at GBS. She enjoys getting to know students as they grow and thrive through their middle school years. Learning to be part of a social community is a critical skill for adolescents, and is something our Bobcats practice every day. She enjoys having groups, one-to-one sessions, lunch bunches and games groups, and helping students with conflict resolution, learning their personal power, social thinking strategies, future career possibilities, and more. She has a Master’s in Education degree from Keene State College, is the mom of two GUPs (grown-up people), and enjoys reading, hiking, cross-stitching and skiing.

• Bob Allosso is the Student Support Counselor. He is a lifelong local who has spent his adult life counseling children and families. He has master's degrees in Outdoor Education and Social Work from UNH (2018), and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Bob worked in residential treatment at The Wediko School in Windsor for 13 years, where he held a variety of roles before becoming a family, individual, and group therapist. He then worked for two years in private practice, counseling kids and teens struggling with inattention, impulsivity, relationship/attachment issues, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma histories, and social-developmental struggles. Bob loves to support kids, staff, and families to better understand one another, to communicate more effectively, and to cope more adaptively through stress. He also loves sports, games, animals, and maintaining his woodlot!

To outline the counseling and support services available at GBS, the information below is included in the student handbook:

“The School Counseling Program is available to all students, their families and staff. School staff provide counseling at GBS. An advisor is assigned to each student to monitor progress, facilitate success and maintain parent/guardian communication. Counselors are used as a resource to the advisory process for students, parents/guardians and teachers. Counselors meet with students individually and in small groups on a short term/as-needed basis to provide support in a variety of areas. Counselors are available to teaching staff to co-teach classroom lessons that deal with issues of character and citizenship, as well as to consult on individual students. Parent/guardian collaboration is a significant component of student success, and counselors encourage parents/guardians to use them as a sounding board or problem-solving resource. The Counseling Program includes community and agency contact to collaborate on sensitive topics and crisis intervention. Students may contact counselors through an advisor or teacher, or sign up for an appointment directly at the counselor's office. Parent/guardian and teacher referrals are always welcome. Feel free to call the main office, or send an e-mail to Laura or Bob, or stop by to make an appointment."

Laura and Bob can be reached at the email address above, or by calling 603-588-6630. Laura's extension is 6003 and Bob's is 6004.