About & Contact Info
About King Counseling
Welcome to the King Counseling department! We are excited to get to know you during your time here at King. Our goal is to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students. We are here to support and empower you.
Each grade has a designated school counselor who will advance with you each year. Our restorative justice counselor works with all grade levels. We are available to meet with any student for short term individual check-ins. Common concerns that students seek support for include academic achievement, peer challenges, identity, divorce, and many other topics. We also lead groups on a variety of topics such as anxiety, grief and loss, queer and questioning and trauma. You may see us on campus running assemblies, leading lunchtime clubs, running circles in your classrooms and bringing school spirit to community building events.
For students who need extra support, we are willing to pass along referrals for outside therapy for those who may benefit from weekly mental health support. We’re excited to support you academically, socially and emotionally during your time here at King!
6th Grade Counselors
CC Miksza, LCSW PPSC
(Monday through Thursday)
I've been working in schools since 2010 and I've been a counselor at King since 2015. I have a background in science and astrophysics and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley, but really began pursuing my love of counseling with my Masters in Social Work. I received my MSW from Cal State East Bay, my credential from San Francisco State University, and my clinical license. In addition, I've pursued further training in Mindfulness, trauma-focused CBT, and restorative practices.
I love supporting students and witnessing their growing confidence as they begin to recognize their own inner strengths and the power they possess to create change in themselves and their communities. Student empowerment is a beautiful thing to be a part of and my favorite part of my job!
When I'm not working, I love spending time with my daughters, my husband, and our pets. I also have a few hobbies, including: hiking, singing, sewing, exploring, and tinkering with things.
Lydia Stewart, PPS
(Friday)
I work part-time for the counseling department at MLK. I developed an interest in school counseling when I was in middle school. I had a great counselor who provided support and encouragement through the ups and downs of adolescence. After graduating from West Chester University with a Master Degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology, I was excited to start working with pre-teens. I love to see their energy and excitement as they grow and develop. I recognize how home environment, friends and peers can impact a student's academic performance. My hope is to create a safe environment for all students, to meet them where they are at and help them grow into who they’d like to become.
When I’m not in school, I like to listen to music and discover new artists. I also like to hike and spend time in the sunshine with my family and friends.
7th Grade Counselors
Amelia Lewis, PPS
I graduated from LaSalle University with my BA in Education and from St. Mary's with my MA in Counseling. I've worked as a school counselor in a TK-6th grade school for 4 years and now this is my second year at King Middle School.
My favorite part of working at King is meeting and building connections with the students. I love hearing about their dreams and watching them accomplish their goals.
In my spare time, I really enjoy watching the Marvel and DC movies and television shows.
8th Grade Counselors
Abbie Gregor, LCSW, PPSC
I graduated from Smith College School for Social Work in 2005 with my MSW and worked at Berkeley High in the Health Center providing individual, group and crisis counseling work to the student population. I pursued a post-masters PPSC at San Francisco State University in 2010 and began working at King in 2014.
I LOVE working with adolescents and am regularly inspired by their creativity, passion and compassion, and humor. I am inspired by how they show up as themselves each day and are open to partnering with adults to work through the challenges they face in their lives. I adore seeing them in individual and group counseling sessions as well as clubs and leadership groups. In addition to supporting the students and their families, I am committed to the learning of new social workers/interns as future counselors in the field. In having an intern team, I find I can maximize the amount of quality, accessible services we can offer our students navigating this difficult time in their lives.
Pre-kids, I liked to windsurf, teach sailing, and go rock climbing outdoors. Now I have fun at the beach, love a good movie night and camping in the backyard with my wife and two toddlers.
(510) 644-2873
Restorative Justice (All Grades)
Chau Tran, LCSW PPSC
I have been working in schools since 2002 and have been a restorative justice counselor at King since 2016. I have an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and began my work in education leading community service programs in the bay area and abroad. During this time I discovered my passion for empowering youth and returned to school to obtain my Masters in Social Work from Columbia University.
My work experience includes leading wilderness therapy trips, managing international service projects in rural villages with youth and serving as a mental health therapist. I've had the opportunity to support students ranging from elementary age through young adults, but middle school age has a special place in my heart! I adore this age group and love supporting them through all the quandaries that cross their paths as they grow into themselves.
When I'm not working, I'm often spending time with my son and husband cooking, visiting family and exploring outdoor river adventures. My hobbies are yoga, hiking and all things wellness!