Our Staff

	Jon Kerschner,MA Executive Director Jon holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. He came to Sierra Family Services in 2000 versed in both the clinical and administrative aspects of mental health. He has over 23 years experience in substance abuse treatment and mental health services in residential, outpatient and private practice settings. Management of multiple mental health and substance abuse offices while with The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center rounds out the experience Jon brings to Sierra Mental Wellness Group. Jon enjoys scuba diving and tactical training in his off time.
	Carole Rooney, PHR Finance Director Carole is responsible for all things fiscal and human resources related at Sierra Mental Wellness Group. Payroll, accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, contracts, and benefits are a few of the major areas of which Carole has oversight. She enjoys golf, cooking, and travel.
	Nicole Paul, MFT Clinical Director Nicole has been with Sierra Mental Wellness Group since 2000. She has facilitated many groups, including drug treatment, parenting, and anger management. She enjoys working with adolescents and adults, couples, and families. Nicole provides clinical supervision for the trainees and interns at the Roseville and Auburn sites. Nicole has taught at an area university since 2007 in the Master of Science in Counseling program and functions as a Lead Faculty. One of her favorite parts of her job is to work with and help grow new therapists in the field. Nicole enjoys theater, travel, and home decorating.
Roseville Office
	Brandy Novak, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Brandy began her career at Sierra Mental Wellness group in 2006 as a trainee and then transitioned into an employee after earning Intern status. She hopes to be earning her MFT license in the next few months. Brandy enjoyed facilitating the Parenting Enhancement group for five years. She currently sees individual adults, adolescents, and children, as well as couples and families. She considers her passion to be working with adolescents, parents, and families. She also has experience working with juvenile sex offenders, divorced/separated parents, families involved with Children’s System of Care, foster youth, and people with substance problems. Brandy enjoys playing soccer and being by the water.
	Katie Silva, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Katie began her career at Sierra Mental Wellness Group in June of 2006 as the facilitator of the Domestic Violence Groups and then began working with couples, families, and adults a part-time intern. Katie is currently a licensure candidate having completed all hours required for the Board of Behavioral Sciences. Katie has also facilitated the Drug Treatment Level I and Parenting Enhancement Groups. She is currently facilitating the Anger Management Group. Katie's passions are working with individuals, couples, and families including co-parenting for divorced/separated parents, and she has completed the academic and required hours for certification in drug & alcohol counseling. Katie also has extensive experience in working with homeless women who have escaped violent environments. Katie enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her grandchildren.
	Malaika Hill-Jones, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Malaika has been with Sierra Mental Wellness Group since 2010, starting as a student trainee. After completing her school practicum requirements and earning Intern status, Malaika became a permanent part of the SMWG team. Malaika enjoys facilitating the 52-week Domestic Violence group as well as the Parenting Group. She also works with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Malaika is passionate about her career and the opportunity to work with clients to enhance their lives. Malaika is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoys football and being physically active.
	Sandra Toste Technical Services Specialist Sande is a 27-year employee of SMWG who prepares billing, accounts payable, gathers statistical information, tracks grant funding and usage, and ensures quality assurance of client files. Sande loves Golden Retrievers and volunteers for Homeward Bound and enjoys travel and reading.
	Amy Alves Scheduling Secretary Amy is the first point of contact for clients seeking services at Sierra Mental Wellness Group. If you’ve called SMWG, you’ve probably been greeted by Amy. Amy interfaces with all referral sources and troubleshoots scheduling challenges with patience and a smile.
	Tammy Crosthwaite Office Assistant Tammy is one of the welcoming faces you will first see at SMWG. Assisting in the front office, Tammy answers phones, greets clients, and generally helps keep us organized. She is pivotal in overseeing communication with the Placer County Courts to ensure accurate and timely reporting. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking, and photography.
Auburn Office
	Leslie Bauman MA, MS, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Leslie specializes in working with young children and adolescents incorporating Jungian Sandplay. She also has a breadth of experience in dealing with women's issues, life transitions, trauma recovery, couples’ conflict, and parent/child relational issues. Leslie has facilitated the Anger Management and Parenting Enhancement classes in the past.
	Debbie Campbell, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Debbie operates out of the Auburn and Roseville offices and provides therapy to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Debbie is certified as a Firesetter Intervention Specialist I. She is becoming certified in Emotion Focused Couple Therapy to help couples seeking greater fulfillment in their relationships. Additionally, she specializes in treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and enjoys working with clients wanting a Christian-based therapy experience. Debbie’s hobbies include sewing and craft projects, gardening, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Tahoe Office
	Kathryn Hill, MFT Program Manager – Tahoe Kathryn Hill is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has worked with individuals, couples and families in the healing and therapeutic areas since 1980. Having trained with Dr. Carl Whitaker, a revered pioneer of family therapy, Kathryn’s orientation is compassionate and engaged. She is a Senior Associate of the Lomi School, an innovator in the field of somatically-based psychotherapy. Kathryn served as the Spiritual Care & Bereavement Coordinator for Tahoe Forest Hospice where she developed and maintained a compressive grief support program for the Tahoe Forest Hospital System for 8 years. Kathryn has taught for Esalen Institute, City University and the Transpersonal Psychology Association. She is thrilled to be a member of the staff at SMWG where she now serves as the clinical supervisor and program manager for the Tahoe City office. Kathryn enjoys hiking, Zumba, and skiing in her off time.
	Karin Sable, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Karin began her career at Sierra Mental Wellness Group in 2008. Since that time, Karin has facilitated the Drug Treatment Education Group and ran a counseling group focused on financial stress. She works with children and adolescents, adults, couples and families. Karin primarily utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral approach to help clients overcome thought patterns that cause distress in their lives. Karin is working to become a Certified EMDR therapist and currently has a basic EMDR training. She specializes in working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Karin enjoys skiing and cycling in her off time.
	Courtney Hollway, LCSW Staff Clinician Courtney brings to Sierra Mental Wellness Group seven years experience in the foster care adoption field. Because of her experience with adoptions, Courtney is a resource in the area of attachment. Courtney’s calm demeanor and clinical knowledge are utilized in her work with adolescents and adults. Courtney enjoys participating in local athletic events.
	Paula Lauer, MA Staff Clinician – Bilingual/Bicultural Therapist Paula was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she obtained her Master’s degree in clinical psychology. She is a bilingual psychotherapist and has worked for the hospitality industry, in social services and private practice. Paula has lived in Chicago, IL and North Lake Tahoe, CA, where she enjoys year round outdoor activities, playing field hockey and downhill skiing in the winter. Paula’s specialties are psychotherapy, program development, teaching and training. Paula is a board member for Tahoe SAFE Alliance as a way of staying connected with and supporting her community, she is strong supporter of the Día-V movement and has been involved with the local productions of the Monólogos de la Vagina since 2008. Paula currently lives in the North Lake Tahoe area with her husband, looking forward to raising their first child in the community.
	Michael Pyzyk Community Educator Mike started with Sierra Mental Wellness Group in March of 2010 as the Bilingual Community Educator. He has been an integral part in improving accessibility of mental health services for the Latino community in Tahoe by reducing stigma and improving outreach, education, and program referrals. Mike works closely with county agencies and other local non-profit partners to assure efficient provision of support services and improve cultural sensitivity to both English and Spanish speaking members of the North Lake Tahoe community. Mike spends much of his time in the schools and community providing trainings to families and collaborative agencies on issues relating to mental health and the Latino community. In his free time Mike enjoys snowboarding, camping, wakeboarding, and auto repair.
Family Support Counselors
	Lynne Thomson, MFT-Intern Family Support Counselor Lynne began working at Sierra Family Services as a trainee. She has since earned her Masters Degree in Counseling and is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. She primarily works with youth. Lynne has experience working with adjudicated youth and minors who have other system involvement. She also has experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault issues. Lynne enjoys music, theater, and reading.
	Tarra Benoist, MFT-Trainee Family Support Counselor In the role of Family Support Counselor, Tarra works with youth and their families in the home and the community, helping to alleviate behavioral problems. Tarra enjoys working as part of the larger treatment team to help families achieve more functional relationships. In her off time, she enjoys photography, triathlons, and hiking.
	Tami Zak, MFT-Intern Family Support Counselor Tami comes to SMWG after leaving corporate America and deciding a career change was in order. As a Family Support Counselor, Tami works with youth and their families in the home and the community, helping to alleviate behavioral problems. Tami is able to utilize her “big picture” approach and apply a holistic treatment approach for the entire family. She enjoys travel, reading, and going to the movies.
Therapeutic Behavioral Support Specialist
Chandra Medina, MFTT
Functional Family Therapist
	Nicole Vanneman, MFT Functional Family Therapist Nicole is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been with Sierra Mental Wellness Group since 2008. Nicole specializes in Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and works in partnership with the Placer County FFT Team. FFT is a short-term, evidenced-based family intervention for at-risk youth ages 11-18. The approach has a strong family focus and supports families in creating obtainable changes that will be sustained by the entire family system. Nicole enjoys scrapbooking, crafts, and reading.