Gavin Engel is a generalist school counselor at a public high school in the western suburbs of Chicago. He specializes in careers and sponsors the community service club at his high school. Gavin also works part-time at a private practice and provides in-home therapy for children and adolescents within the DCFS system. Gavin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has worked in the field for over 20 years. Gavin’s past employment includes working at a residential treatment center and as lead counselor at a public alternative junior high / high school, both that serve youth with severe emotional and behavioral issues. As such, Gavin brings unique and thorough professional experience and is always looking for new challenges and forming new relationships within the communities that he serves.
Gavin completed his Master’s Degree at Concordia University Chicago in Mental Health / Community Counseling. Gavin’s undergraduate studies were at Northern Illinois University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. Gavin also received both his school counseling and school leadership certifications at Northern Illinois University.
In Gavin’s role as a school counselor, he teaches classroom lessons to students in grades 9-12 that are focused on the college and career planning processes through personal college/career exploration, research, planning, self-awareness, self- reflection and genuine dialog. Gavin maintains the career page within his school’s counseling department link on his school’s website and prides himself on keeping all the information up to date and brings in professionals within certain career fields to present to interested student populations. Additionally, Gavin works with special populations by supporting students and parents with IEP’s, 504 plans and mental health issues. Gavin has an innate ability to connect with his students and parents and promotes the balance of advocacy and accountability.