What is a Wellness Center?

Wellness Centers provide safe, supportive environments on school campus where students can go to discuss a variety of issues from depression, grief, self-esteem, family life and stress to dating violence, sexual identity and health needs. Through both on-campus programming and community-based partnerships, students receive coordinated health education, assessment, counseling and other support services to maximize student engagement and success.

What kinds of issues does Wellness address?

Wellness addresses a wide variety of issues such as:

  • Stress
  • Depression & Suicide
  • Sexual Orientation/Gender Questions
  • Family Issues
  • Chronic Illness
  • Drug & Alcohol Abuse
  • Violence and Abuse
  • Well being
  • Sexual Health Education
  • Anxiety
  • Peer Relationships
  • Cultural Adjustment & Identity Issues

What types of services are provided for students? 

Students can participate in a variety of services including mental health, counseling, nursing services, youth development opportunities, referrals to community agencies and more. Wellness services provided to youth are free and confidential!

How do I refer a student to the Wellness Center?

Students can be referred to Wellness Services by contacting the student’s School Counselor or Psychologist. In addition, students can also self-refer or refer friends through their School Counselor or by coming directly to the Wellness Center.

Who is on the Wellness Team?

Palo Alto High School

  • Elizabeth Spector, LPCC, Mental Health & Wellness Therapist
  • Angelina Michael, Wellness Outreach Worker

Gunn High School

  • Genavae Pierre Dixon, LMFT, Mental Health & Wellness Therapist
  • Lauren Rocha, Wellness Outreach Worker

In addition, we have developed partnerships with Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY), Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), Stanford Psychiatry and local universities to bring providers on campus each week to provide individual and group counseling.

How often will students miss classes to utilize Wellness services?

Students usually participate in Wellness Center services one hour a week. Wellness Center providers will be required to alternate class periods for appointments and/or group sessions so that students do not miss the same class regularly. All students are issued a call slip for wellness center appointments.

Where exactly is the Wellness Center located?

Palo Alto High School’s Wellness Center is located in the Tower building right across the hall from the main office.

Gunn High School’s Wellness Center is located across from the main office.

Can teachers use Wellness Center services?

Although Wellness services are intended for youth, we also have health and mental health resources available for staff. If you would like support please come talk to us – we are here for you!

Questions? Please Contact:

Palo Alto High: Elizabeth Spector 650-329-3701 ext. 6893 espector@pausd.org

Gunn High School: Genavae Pierre Dixon 650-354-8253 ext. 6894 gdixon@pausd.org