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Meet Phyllis

Phyllis L. Fagell

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Certified Professional School Counselor, Author and Journalist

Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC is a nationally board certified school counselor, a therapist who works with kids and families in private practice at The Chrysalis Group in Bethesda, Maryland, an educational consultant, and an author and journalist. She’s the author of the bestselling books “Middle School Matters”and “Middle School Superpowers” (Hachette Books) and a frequent contributor to The Washington Post. She also freelances for publications including Psychology Today, CNN, Working MotherU.S. News & World Report and Your Teen, and her ideas have been shared in outlets including The New York Times,The AtlanticThe New Yorker, Edutopia, Mindshift and NPR. Phyllis speaks at schools and organizations nationally and internationally on a broad range of topics related to counseling, education and parenting. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband and three children.

Middle School is a complicated time and parents have all kinds of questions. Should I make my child stick with an activity he hates? Why does my daughter insist on hanging out with girls who send her mean texts? How can I get my son to do his homework?
Phyllis Fagell

- Phyllis Fagell

Expert and Journalist

 “Everyone wants kids to treat each other with kindness, and parents, coaches, mentors and educators are role models who can set the tone.”