Meet Our Lead Mental Health Counselor

Ana Paula Garay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) serving as the lead mental health counselor in the Redwood City School District (RCSD). With a passion for fostering emotional well-being in the education system, Ms. Garay plays a pivotal role in coordinating and overseeing mental health services across all sites within the district.

In her capacity as the lead mental health counselor, she manages a dynamic team of 13 clinicians, strategically guiding them to deliver high-quality mental health services to students. She also oversees the implementation of contracted mental health services from esteemed local non-profit district partners such as One Life Counseling Services and Star Vista.

Ms. Garay brings a wealth of experience to her role, having dedicated many years to the mental health field, particularly in working with both adults and school-aged children. Over the last seven years, she has been an integral part of public schools in San Mateo County, contributing both in direct services and in a supervisory capacity.

Her contributions and collaborative efforts with other district stakeholders and Stanford University partners earned RCSD the prestigious Stanford Community Partnership Award in 2023, a testament to her commitment to creating a supportive and thriving mental health environment within RCSD.