About Us
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Starting in Fall of 2022, Sierra Child and Family Services, El Dorado County Behavioral Health and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District partnered to create on-campus Wellness Centers for students.
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The goal of the Wellness Centers is to assist students and families with navigation to community resources, to offer a safe space on campus and to improve the overall health and well-being of the students.
Meet the Team:
South Tahoe High School
Carolyn Eckholm
Clinician
Hi! I’m Carolyn I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and I am so excited to be at South Tahoe High School! My kids and I are new to Lake Tahoe from Ketchikan, Alaska and we love the sunshine! Since 1999, I have been passionately engaged in youth mental health and working within school settings. I worked 17 years in Humboldt County, Ca and I am a fierce advocate fory outh! I hope to support meaningful conversations with you all, while bringing laughter and hope to tough situations! When I am away from work, my kids, husky and I love to play outside and seek adventures! I can’t wait to meet you!
Mishy Fries
Clinician/Trainee
Hello! My name is Mishy. I have been living in South Lake Tahoe for the past 10 years. I love exploring in the mountains. Hiking, biking, and snowboarding are some of my favorites. Disconnecting in nature is my form of therapy. I have a passion for mental health, especially the brain! I am fascinated with how the brain functions, and how it impacts the way we think and feel. I am so excited to be apart of the wellness center. I want to help create a place of learning and healing!
Mitch DelaRiva
Mental Health Advocate
My name is Mitch DelaRiva. I moved to beautiful South Lake Tahoe in 1990 and have had the pleasure of serving our children and families ever since. I am proud to be a part of Sierra Child and Family Services and our new Wellness Center at South Tahoe High School and I am especially proud to be a part of this wonderful community.
Andres Orozco
Mental Health Advocate
Hello, my name is Andres Orozco. I've been living in El Dorado County for the majority of my life. I've been in the mental health field working various roles the past couple years. I enjoy spending time outdoors with friends and family. I look forward to providing mental health awareness to our communities and empowering our teens. I look forward to meeting you all!
Meet the Team:
South Tahoe Middle School
Miguel Porcayo
Clinician/ MSW Intern
Hello! I am currently attending University of Nevada, Reno to receive my Masters in Social Work. I have around 5 years of experience working with youth in different settings and capacities. I am a South Tahoe High School alumni (Go Vikings!) and am honored to be able to support students at South Tahoe High School. I am passionate about providing mental health services in schools because I want to make support more accessible, eliminate barriers and help students achieve academic success. I love that this position allows me to be better integrated and contribute to the community I serve. Please feel free to stop by the STHS Wellness Center to check out the space or ask any questions, tambien hablo Espanol.
Marcela de Lira Astorga
Clinician
Hi - I’m Marcela de Lira Astorga, mother of three (two in college and one in Kindergarten!), and I’m excited to be working at the Bijou Wellness Center as a Mental Health Clinician. Raised in Torreon, Mexico, I have been working in Oregon and California in the field of School-Based Mental Health Services for over 20 years as a Community Health Worker, and have worked just about every role inside the school, from reading specialist to office secretary, from teaching assistant to community interpreter/translator - I can’t get enough of what a school can be for a community.
Aside from a stint at the University of California, Berkeley to earn my MSW, I’ve been a resident of South Lake Tahoe for nearly 15 years running. I look forward to sharing my passion for working with families and children with you.
Margarita Aguirre
Mental Health Adcovate
Hola, me llamo Margarita. Fun fact I wasn’t born in South Lake Tahoe, however I’ve resided here for the majority of my life. In my time here I’ve been a Pioneer, Timberwolf, a Viking and even a Coyote. I'm super excited to be apart of the LTUSD Wellness Centers to help empower youth by building a community and providing a safe space for everyone.
Meet the Team:
Bijou Community School
Aimie Sutton
Clinician/ APCC
Hi, my name is Aimie. I have 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in school-based programs, clinical and community based settings. My expertise is providing therapeutic services for a wide range of social, emotional and behavioral challenges. I am excited to be a part of the Lake Tahoe Wellness Centers!