Contact a BSM Counselor
The Benilde-St. Margaret's guidance and counseling team is here to help you and your student. Our goal is to support and help as much as possible so your student can have a positive and enriching experience while at BSM.
Contact a member of our guidance and counseling team today:
Guidance Counselors
Amanda Anderson
Amanda is the counselor for high school students with last names Sc-Z.
She enjoys getting to know students and their families, helping them navigate through life during high school, and guiding them in planning for and finding their next adventures after BSM.
Amanda enjoys playing her cello at events and at her church, volunteering for her sons' activities, and enjoys biking, swimming, reading, and walking Murphy, her adorable mini Goldendoodle.
Kate Berry
Kate is the counselor for high school students with last names Dr-I.
She is dedicated to helping students be their best selves and navigate the challenges of adolescence. Before joining BSM, she served as a school counselor at Providence Academy in Plymouth and as a youth director at various Catholic churches within the Archdiocese of Minneapolis-St. Paul.
A St. Louis Park native, Kate is married to another Catholic school educator, and together they have two children, Jane (13) and Jack (11), who keep them active with sports and other activities. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading, watching her kids play sports, and following Bravo TV, as well as playing volleyball.
Brandy Castaneda
Brandy is the counselor for high school students with last names Mi-Sa.
Brandy's focus is on supporting the academic, social, and emotional growth of each student. She is honored to be part of BSM’s rich tradition of academic excellence, strong community, and holistic student development.
Brandy likes exploring new restaurants and trying different cuisines in Minnesota. She also enjoys spending quality time with loved ones with a good meal at home or traveling around the world to explore new places. She is passionate about exercise, knowing that being active helps maintain balance and well-being in her life.
Sarah Kelly
Sarah Kelly has been supporting junior high students at BSM since 2013 as the junior high school counselor. With a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and a Master’s in School Counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Sarah is committed to providing a supportive and nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, reading, watching her kids play sports, and taking walks with her dogs.
Amy Larson
Amy Larson has been a dedicated member of the BSM community since 2001, serving as counselor for high school students with last names A-Do. A Minneapolis native, she attended Christ the King Catholic School before earning a B.A. in Psychology from the University of St. Thomas and an M.A. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota.
Amy is passionate about helping students feel seen and heard, supporting them as they grow during their four years at BSM, and guiding them toward their best post-graduation fit. A proud "lifer" at BSM, she also coached JV Girls' Tennis for 12 years alongside her father, a former Gopher tennis player. The bond they shared coaching together left a lasting impression on their players.
Outside of work, Amy treasures time with her husband and two daughters, who are both proud Little Knights alumni. She enjoys neighborhood walks, exploring new coffee shops and restaurants, barre classes, reading, and traveling—especially to big cities where she can soak in the culture and cuisine.
Heidi Wessman
Heidi is the counselor for high school students with last names J-Me.
Heidi loves getting to know students and their interests. Watching them grow both in and out of the classroom is very rewarding.
When not at school, Heidi is either watching her boys participate in their sports and music programs, mountain biking with her hubby, working out, doing yoga, running, cooking/baking or reading!
Mental Health and Chemical Health Counselors
Ty Cody
Ty received a Bachelor's Degree from St. Olaf College and a Master's degree from the University of Minnesota.
Ty was born and raised in the Twin Cities. As a kid, he enjoyed art and playing various sports outdoors until the street lights came on. After college he was able to chase his dream of living in Colorado for two short years before Minnesota called him back home.
For the past ten years, Ty has worked as a school psychologist at Academic Arts High School in West St. Paul. His passion for counseling students is driven by seeing students build skills and improve their overall wellness in order to thrive at their best in and out of school and in their activities.
Ty lives in St. Louis Park and enjoys discovering new coffee shops, hiking, biking, and seeing live music.
Laura Esping
Laura Esping joined BSM in 2022 as a chemical health counselor, helping students explore their chemical habits and make decisions that lead to their best lives. She emphasizes staying informed on chemical trends and evidence-based treatments. Laura holds a BA in Speech and Dramatic Art from the University of Iowa, an MFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota, and a diploma in Addiction Counseling from MCTC.
Originally from Iowa, Laura moved to Chicago with a theater company that performed in prisons, later backpacking across Europe before settling in Minneapolis. In addition to her counseling work, she has a rich history in theater, performing in local productions since earning her MFA in 1998. During the pandemic, she transitioned into addiction counseling, working at a treatment center before joining BSM through Phoenix School Counseling.
In her free time, Laura enjoys puttering in her yard, relaxing on her deck listening to the wind in the trees, attending live performances, and staying connected with her sister and many nieces and nephews. Fun fact: Laura is also a stilt walker!
Jeff Steffenson
Jeff is a licensed psychologist with an on-campus practice at BSM as well as in Edina. He enjoys helping students and their families work through personal and family challenges they may be facing. In the past, Jeff has also served as a mental health and school counselor at BSM.
In his free time, Jeff is passionate about the outdoors and often spends time hiking, biking, and kayaking with friends and family. He also enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, traveling, and watching movies and TV.
Learning Support Team
Guidance and
College Counseling
at BSM
Academic
- Program of Studies
- Portrait of a BSM Graduate
- Tutoring Programs
- AP Courses and Exams
- College Credit Options
- Registration
- Transcript requests
Student Life
- Personal Development / Well-being
- Roundup
- Relationships
- Chemical Health Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
- Psychological Services