 | 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 Director of Finance and Human Resources 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 Vanneman, MFT Operations Manager Nicole is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been with Sierra Mental Wellness Group since 2008. As Operations Manager, Nicole is responsible for supervising and coordinating the programs and clinical services offered by the agency, including oversight and program functions, intake, client services, regulatory compliance and quality assurance, identification and development of new programs and coordination with providers in the community. Nicole enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with her friends and family. |
 | Amy Alves Operations Coordinator Amy has served Sierra Mental Wellness group in an administrative capacity since 2008, previously in a scheduling role, and now currently as the Operations Coordinator. Amy is responsible for supporting the Operations Manager in overseeing and coordinating the programs and clinical services at the agency, implementing and monitoring regulations and policies, and ensuring efficient service delivery. Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her family and serving at her church and within her community. |
Roseville Office | |
 | 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. |
 | Debbie Campbell, MFT 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. |
 | Lynne Thomson, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Lynne began working at Sierra Mental Wellness Group in 2010. She has since earned her Masters Degree in Counseling and is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. She works with adults, adolescents, and children. She has experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault issues. Although she works primarily in Roseville, she works in the Auburn office one day per week. She currently facilitates the Level I Drug Treatment group. Lynne enjoys music, theater, and reading. |
 | Jaime Graves, LCSW Staff Clinician Jaime has over 10 years experience helping children, families, and individuals build healthy coping skills to address many of life’s challenges including anxiety and depression, low self-esteem, anger issues, school challenges, behavioral problems, parenting and co-parenting issues, and adjusting to various life transitions. She is dedicated to helping you understand the challenges you or your loved one are facing and to developing a plan of action to better support you through these challenges. Jaime enjoys spending time with her family and friends, doing anything related to the outdoors, and watching a great movie. |
 | David Rogers, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician David holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. David believes his job with clients is to work himself out of the job. He uses creative, yet scientifically sound, treatment modalities custom tailored to client’s needs. David’s interests include communication, spontaneity, hypnosis, intimacy, emotion, self concept, mindfulness and occupational identity. David is currently researching common factors or mechanisms of change that cut across all effective therapy models. He enjoys travel, Japanese culture, art, toys, music and spicy food. |
 | Melissa Freitas, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Melissa has been with Sierra Mental Wellness Group since 2011, starting as a student trainee. After completing her school practicum requirements and earning Intern status, Melissa became a permanent part of the SMWG team. Melissa enjoys facilitating the Parenting Group. She also works with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. As a therapist, Melissa seeks to join with clients in a respectful way that acknowledges their own wisdom through practical, supportive, and empathetic connection. She recognizes the unique challenges of each individual and seeks to integrate their emotions, thoughts, and actions to enable fuller, happier lives. Melissa enjoys cooking, playing with her Schnoodles and gardening. |
 | Stephen Simonson, Psychological Trainee Staff Clinician Stephen is a Psychological Trainee working on his doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Stephen conducts psychotherapy and testing with adults, adolescents, children and families and also facilitates the adult Anger Management group at Sierra Mental Wellness Group. While away from work, Stephen is busily researching and writing his dissertation examining the psychological impacts on parents following the disclosure of their child’s extra-familial sexual abuse. In what little time he has left Stephen enjoys painting, playing the drums, watching movies and spending time with friends and family. |
 | 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. |
 | Tammy Crosthwaite Scheduling Secretary Tammy is one of the welcoming faces you will first see at SMWG. Tammy serves the agency as the Scheduling Secretary, overseeing the schedule of each staff clinician, coordinating with referral sources to connect clients with appropriate services and ensuring smooth operations and quality services from a client's initial visit until the completion of treatment with SMWG. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys spending time with family and friends, scrapbooking and photography. |
Auburn Office | |
| Debbie Campbell, MFT 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. |
| Lynne Thomson, MFT-Intern Staff Clinician Lynne began working at Sierra Mental Wellness Group in 2010. She has since earned her Masters Degree in Counseling and is a registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. She works with adults, adolescents, and children. She has experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault issues. Although she works primarily in Roseville, she works in the Auburn office one day per week. She currently facilitates the Level I Drug Treatment group. Lynne enjoys music, theater, and reading. |
Tahoe Office | |
 | 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. |
 | Nancy McDonald, MFT Staff Clinician Nancy is a new Staff Clinician at Sierra Mental Wellness Group as of February 2013. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She has worked in the Adoption and Foster Care field for 10 years and her specialties are in the areas of grief and loss, attachment, childhood trauma and LGBTQ issues. Nancy feels honored to be able to work with clients and help them lead more fulfilling and productive lives. Nancy has raised 6 children who are all adults now and sees them as her proudest achievement. She enjoys reading, running and gardening. |
 | Jaena Bloomquist Office Manager Jaena is pivotal in managing contact with clients, referral sources and staff clinicians to meet any administrative or scheduling needs with excellence. Jaena's exceptional work ethic, organization and attention to detail are essential to the functioning of not only the Tahoe City office, but to SMWG as a whole. |
Family Support Counselors | |
 | Megan Heath, MFT-Intern Family Support Counselor Megan completed her Master's Degree in Marriage Family and Child Counseling in October 2012. She has experience working with people of all ages with developmental disabilities, specifically children with autism. Megan likes to mix behavioral techniques from her previous career experience along with a well-rounded family systems approach to help clients get the specific help they need. Megan is also bilingual, has experience working with Spanish-speaking clients, and has lived in Spain and Mexico. |
 | Julie Fernando, MFT-Intern Family Support Counselor Julie is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern. She received her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of San Francisco and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Davis. Her warm and genuine presence allows her to connect with all types of families and children. She believes that with the right kind of support anyone is capable of creating the change they desire. Julie takes pride in the work she does and her clients appreciate her lighthearted approach as it supports authentic, therapeutic relationships. In her free time Julie likes to run, read and watch movies. |
Therapeutic Behavioral Support Specialist | |
 | Chandra Medina, MFT-Trainee Therapeutic Behavioral Support Specialist Chandra has earned her B.S. degree in Human Services. She comes to Sierra Mental Wellness Group with experience in crisis management with foster youth and their families. Her favorite aspect of her job is building relationships, bringing hope and inspiring kids and families to thrive at their full potential. Chandra's hobbies include being a soccer mom, spending time at the beach, camping and road trips with her three children. |
Functional Family Therapist | |
 | Kathleen "Katy" Beckman, MFT-Trainee Functional Family Therapist Katy received a Bachelor of Art's Degree in Psychology and a minor in English from the University of California at Davis. She is currently working on her Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy while working as a Functional Family Therapist. Katy also volunteers for an anti-bullying program for Child Advocates of Nevada County called "Steps-to-Respect" in which she implements an evidence-based curriculum to elementary school children throughout the school year. Her outside interests include reading, hiking and spending time with her family. |