Social & Emotional Wellbeing

At BHS, our mission is to support every student academically, socially, and psychologically through a nurturing and challenging educational experience that fosters personal growth, creativity and a strong sense of community.  As the first Social Wellness School™ in the world, we believe student well-being is central to their success not just in the classroom, but in life.  We reinforce this commitment through the dedicated work of our Social & Emotional Wellbeing counseling team who provide personalized support and resources to nurture students’ emotional health and resilience.

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Counseling and Wellbeing Services at BHS

The Social & Emotional Wellbeing Counseling Department at BHS is comprised of a diverse team of trained mental health professionals who offer short-term, solution-focused support to students facing emotional or social challenges.  Counseling is available in both one-on-one and small group settings, providing students with a safe and confidential space to talk, reflect and problem-solve.

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Students can access counseling services by self-referral or through recommendations from teachers, parents or friends.  When needed, we also help families connect with outside providers for additional support.

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Social-Emotional Learning

To help students develop essential social and emotional skills, our counselors work closely with teachers to support the delivery of age-appropriate lessons on emotional regulation, self-awareness, empathy, peer relationships and responsible decision-making.  These lessons are aligned with the International School Counselor Association (ISCA) standards and are designed to strengthen students’ emotional intelligence, resilience and overall well-being as part of their holistic development.

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Student Safeguarding

Counselors also play a key role in safeguarding student well-being.  We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where students are empowered to recognize risk, seek help when needed and feel protected in all areas of life.  We provide ongoing training for students, staff and parents to ensure everyone is equipped with the knowledge and skills to promote safety and well-being throughout the school community.

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Community Wellness Initiatives

As part of our holistic approach to wellness, we regularly invite external professionals and organizations to deliver workshops and talks on a range of topics — including mental health, alcohol and drug use, online safety, and healthy relationships — that enrich the entire school community.  Additionally, we organize visits to local youth centers, where students participate in educational programs such as sexual health classes, further supporting their well-being and development.

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Accessing Counseling Services

Students may access counseling services by referring themselves or through a recommendation by a teacher, parent/guardian, or friend.  When needed, we also help families connect with outside providers for additional support.

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Getting in touch with our Social & Emotional Wellbing counseling team is easy.  You can reach us directly via email using the email addresses below:

Sheila: sheila@barcelonahighschool.com
Meryl: meryl@barcleonahighschool.com
Domenica: domenica@barcleonahighschool.com​​​​​​

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​The Counseling Team

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​Sheila Sanjaime (Director of Child Safeguarding)

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Sheila brings warmth, depth and decades of experience to her role as a counselor and as the Director of Safeguarding at BHS.  Originally from Barcelona, Sheila is a third-culture individual with dual nationality (Spain and the USA) and is trilingual in Catalan, Spanish, and English.  Her multicultural background deeply informs her approach to student care, empathy, and advocacy.  She holds a Bachelor's degree in School Social Work from Indiana in the USA and a Master's in School Psychopedagogy from Spain. 

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Her journey in supporting young people began early, at the age of 14, working with underprivileged youth and that dedication has only grown stronger throughout her career.  She has worked with street-involved youth in Nairobi, supported non-profit organizations in Barcelona and provided counseling and parenting support to families involved with Child Protective Services in Texas.  In addition to her roles in counseling and teaching, she has served as a safeguarding team member and staff trainer in international schools in the Barcelona area.

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In her current role as Director of Safeguarding at BHS, Sheila leads training for students and staff on recognizing and reporting abuse and collaborates with external agencies such as Barcelona’s Child Protective Services to ensure the safety and well-being of every student.  She is also a certified Positive Parenting Coach, equipping families with tools to nurture respectful, connected relationships at home.

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Outside of her professional life, Sheila enjoys running in nature, biking in the mountains with her partner, traveling, and cheering on their children at soccer games throughout Catalonia.  She is part of a blended family with five children, aged 9 to 18, who bring joy and perspective to every aspect of their lives.

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When reflecting on her work and values, Sheila shares:

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"As I reflect on my life, I treasure the belief that every day is a gift and that it is meaningful if I can transmit joy and peace to those who cross paths with my world, even on the hard days.  It is a privilege to be part of this caring community, committed to building a safe, joyful, and compassionate environment where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired.  My goal is to cultivate a culture of awareness, responsibility, and care across the entire school community."

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Meryl Singh (Director of Social Emotional Wellbeing)

Meryl brings a culturally sensitive, student-centered approach to her role as a school counselor at BHS.  Born in India, raised in Sweden and having spent much of her twenties in London, she draws on her rich multicultural background and language skills in English, Swedish, and Hindi to support students effectively.

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She has a unique interdisciplinary background in social work and law, having completed her undergraduate studies in Social Work at Stockholm University before earning a law degree from Queen Mary, University of London.  Her career spans a wide range of roles supporting young people and vulnerable populations.  She has worked as a school counselor in Sweden and as a social worker in a crisis accommodation center in Sydney, Australia.  Most recently, she was part of the Disability Support Team at King’s College London, supporting students with complex needs by helping them access appropriate accommodations and navigate institutional systems with confidence and clarity.

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In addition, Meryl has a strong foundation in legal advocacy, having worked in compliance roles at international law firms and volunteered at a legal advice centre in London.  These experiences have deepened her commitment to equity and access and strengthened key skills such as communication, confidentiality, and problem-solving — qualities that now shape her approach to school counseling.  Outside of school, Meryl enjoys walking around the streets of Barcelona, going to yoga classes and staying closely connected with friends and family — especially her niece and nephew in India!

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Domenica Morales (Psychologist)

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Domenica is the newest member of our Counseling team — she is a psychologist from Costa Rica with a deep passion for student well-being and a strong belief in the power of creative, inclusive support.  Currently completing her Master’s in Music Therapy, she brings a unique blend of clinical knowledge and creative practice to her work with young people.

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Her professional experience spans schools, therapeutic centers, and family-based settings, where she has supported children and adolescents navigating a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental needs.  She has worked closely with neurodivergent students, led psychoeducational workshops for teens and parents, contributed to diagnostic processes in clinical settings and provided individualized academic and emotional support to students with learning differences.

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With a child-centered and integrative approach, Domenica is dedicated to creating safe, compassionate spaces where every student feels heard, understood, and valued.  She is excited to bring a child-centered, integrative approach to the BHS wellness team — helping every student feel safe, heard, and empowered to grow.

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In her free time, she loves spending time in nature, so any outdoor activity is a definite yes.  She also enjoys playing the guitar, climbing, and reading.

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We are Here for You!

If you have any questions about student well-being at BHS or want to learn more about the support available through our Counseling and Wellness Team, please don’t hesitate to reach out.  We are always happy to connect with students, parents, or staff. 

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Email us at:

Sheila – sheila@barcelonahighschool.com
Meryl – meryl@barcelonahighschool.com
Domenica – domenica@barcelonahighschool.com