Connect with a Counselor

HPISD Counseling Staff

During this extraordinary time of school closure, students, staff and families in HPISD are all experiencing many changes; however, our care for each other will remain. Our counseling staff is here to help as we adjust to new ways of learning. Contact your counselor using the information below.


District Counseling Contact

Lydia Walden, Director of Academics &
Support Services

E-mail: waldenl@hpisd.org

Office hours: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

counseling support welcome video.mp4

High School Counselors

  • Mindy McMinn, Lead Counselor (Wat-Z)

  • Dr. Thiago Oliveira (A-Conk)

  • Jon Mamula (Conl-Gri)

  • Stacey McNeely (Gro-Kor)

  • Carolyn James (Kos-Mor)

  • Ronny Winford (Mos-Sche)

  • Taryn Knott (Schi-Was)

  • Dr. Candice Conner, Personal Counselor

MIS/HPMS Counselors

  • Janet Adams (Grade 5)

  • Joyce Burress (Grade 6)

  • Christen Armer (Grade 7)

  • Margaret Arnold (Grade 8)

  • Greg Rico, Assistant Principal/Personal Counselor

Elementary Counselors

Armstrong Elementary School

  • David Ray

    • E-mail: rayd@hpisd.org

    • Office hours: 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 2:00-3:00 p.m.

Bradfield Elementary School

  • Lana Raley

Hyer Elementary School

  • Linde Thompson

University Park Elementary School

  • Leslie Beckler

Helpful Resources

Below are helpful resources for families as we adjust to new ways of continuing learning at home. Additional resources will be added, so continue to check this page.

  • PC HOPE - This task force is working to erase the stigma of mental health issues and to support the Park Cities community through education on mental health. Many of the resources offered through Park Cities HOPE are offering teleconferencing options during the time of social distancing.

  • Mental Health Line - Texas Health and Human Services has launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People can call the Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 833-986-1919.

  • Tips for Self-Care - provided by Region 10 and designed for families

  • Child Mind Institute - includes helpful information daily for families during the COVID-19 crisis.

  • May Coping Activities


Jennifer Farley, HPISD LSSP, shares how her family's journey has been with emergency remote learning as the 2019-20 school year comes to a close. Plus, fellow colleague Ashley Noble, LSSP at Highland Park ISD, offers strategies for managing anxiety during the closures.

Click the arrow to read Jennifer Farley's article.

Hello Scots!

Wow! These past weeks have flown by! We are ending the final week of online learning at the Farley house.To be honest, I am not ready for this! Although I have wanted to throw the chromebook out the window repeatedly during this time, I feel no relief that my children’s 2nd grade, 5th grade, and Freshman year are now over. We have finally gotten into a groove and now it is ending. Aaaah! Let’s not forget the overwhelming sadness and guilt I feel that my kids will not be able to say goodbye to their friends. School field trips, athletic banquets, performances have all been cancelled. Entire sporting seasons have been missed, sleepovers cancelled, and birthday parties have been postponed! Now summer is starting. Yay! Right? Nope. Summer is usually something all of my children look forward to. They enjoy going to summer camps, hanging with their friends, swimming, and vacations. Well, this summer is going to be a bit different. Pools are currently closed, group workouts are not happening, and summer camps are up in the air. Vacation plans were cancelled and my children don’t appear to understand why we cannot make any plans until we see what the world is doing. “No children, we can’t go to Disney World, they are closed and we aren’t sure when it is going to open.” This is compounded by the uncertainty that they hear on a daily basis. What’s next year going to look like? Will there be sports, clubs, or other extracurricular activities? Will they be able to see their friends? Do we see a light at the end of this very long tunnel? I so wish I could answer these questions for them. What I can tell them is “this too shall pass”. Our world might look differently right now and things may not be the same, but they will adjust to whatever new normal they are presented with.

Please see the following article from my colleague Ashley Noble, LSSP at Highland Park ISD; as she speaks to how she is handling the uncertainty, anxiety, sadness, and fear as we walk through this unknown together. Click here for her article which includes practical strategies for managing emotional wellness during this time.