School Linked
School-Linked Mental Health (SLMH)
School-Linked Mental Health (SLMH) services are provided to students through 12th grade who attend partnering school districts across Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright Counties. SLMH services are shown to increase access to children and youth and improve functional outcomes in those with mental health concerns. SLMH services are funded, in part, by a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Referrals can be made for SLMH services by contacting a partnering school or through the schools’ designated referral process.
Available Services provided by SLMH Therapists:
~ Diagnostic Assessments~ Individual and Family Therapy~ Group Psychotherapy
~ Psycho-Education Services~ Mental Health Crisis Intervention Services~ Safety Risk Assessments and Safety Planning
~ Parent, Teacher, and Administration Consultations~ Staff Training and Development
~ Attendance at school meetings and Individualized Education Program (IEP)/Special Education planning meetings~Clinical Care Coordination with teachers, parents and other providers
For more information, contact:
Phone: 612.219.6384
Fax: 763.682.1353
Meet Our Providers
Sheri Tesch – MS, LMFT
Sheri completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth, her master’s degree in child and family studies from St. Cloud State University, and her post-graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Cloud State University. She has been working as a School Linked Mental Health (SLMH) Therapist for the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District since 2001. Sheri is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has been the Program Manager for our School Linked Mental Health program since 2017. Her areas of expertise are trauma informed care, evidence based interventions and collaborative approach.
Nancy Gohl – MA, LAMFT, LADC
Nancy completed her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from St. Mary’s State University. She is working toward a full licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Nancy has experience as an inpatient chemical dependency therapist, and outpatient therapist and an in home skills worker. She is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist. Her expertise include trauma, grief, loss, depression, anxiety, addiction, co-occurring disorders, attachment disruptions and communication using a trauma informed, integrative approach.
Sam Knauss – MSW, LICSW
Sam completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology and liberal arts for the human services from the University of Minnesota Morris and her master’s degree in social work from St. Cloud State University. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Prior to joining the CMMHC team in April 2019, Sam worked in an intensive Outpatient Day Treatment setting. She is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist in the Sartell – St.Stephen School District. Sam utilizes an integrated, trauma-informed approach to work with those that have experiences trauma, grief, loss, life changes, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns.
Melissa Oltman – LGSW
Melissa completed her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of St. Thomas and her master’s degree in social work from St. Cloud State University. She is currently working toward a license to be an Independent Clinical Social Worker and is currently a licensed graduate social worker. Before joining the CMMHC team in fall of 2019, Melissa was an inpatient social worker at a psychiatric hospital. She is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist in the Elk River school district. She uses a person centered, strength based approach to work with those that have experienced self-esteem struggles, emotion regulation, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Jamie Peterson – MA, LP
Jamie completed her master’s degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is currently working toward a license to be an Independent Clinical Social Worker and is a Licensed Graduate Social Worker. Prior to joining the CMMHC team in 2019, Jamie was a case manager and a school social worker. She is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist in the Buffalo- Hanover- Montrose schools. Her expertise include providing trauma informed, evidence based intervention to work with those that have experienced depression, anxiety, ODD, ADHD, trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and adjustment disorders. She is also a Certified Yoga Calm instructor.
Sarah Maurer – MS, LADC, NCC
Sarah completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Prior to joining the CMMHC team, Sarah has worked as a chemical health counselor, mental health practitioner and as an in-home therapist. Sarah is currently a School Linked Mental Health (SLMH) Therapist. Her expertise include attachment theory, interactive psychotherpay using play-based interventions, chemical health, trauma informed care, cognitive behavioral therapy and strengths-based techniques. She is also trained to work with the birth to 5 population and is a Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP) certified Therapist.
Kendra Stalpes – MS, LPCC, LSW
Kendra completed her bachelor’s degree in social work from Mankato State University and master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from St. Cloud State University. She has been a School Linked Mental Health Therapist for the Saul Rapids Schools since 2017 where she works with kids K-12. Kendra utilizes an empowerment based, relationship approach, person centered practices and cognitive behavioral therapy. Her expertise is in working with children, adolescents and families to address self-esteem, depression, anxiety, physical disability, stability and transitional services. She is also a Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP) certified Therapist.
Amanda Szulczewski – MA, LPCC
Amanda completed her master’s degree in counseling from the University of North Dakota. She has a experience as a mental health professional in a variety of schools and held many roles within CMMHC. She is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist. Her expertise are in cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho-education, interactive psychotherapy, mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, co-occurring disorders, adjustment disorders and interpersonal relationship issues.
Gina Theisz – MSW, LICSW
Gina completed her master’s degree in social work from the University of Minnesota. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Prior to joining the CMMHC team in 2010, Gina worked in school and community based settings to provide mental health therapy to children, adults and families. She is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist in the Monticello schools. She uses a trauma informed, integrative approach to work with those experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, loss and domestic violence. She uses a strength based and collaborative approach with mindfulness based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy to help people make positive changes and reach their goals. She is also a Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP) certified Therapist.
Paul Thinesen – MA, LP
Paul completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Cloud State University and his master’s degree from University of the Pacific. He has been a Licensed Psychologist since 1986 during which he has held many therapeutic positions. He joined the CMMHC team in 2003 where he is currently a School Linked Mental Health Therapist in the Big Lake school district. His expertise include cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, applied behavioral analysis, caregiver and parent training, trauma focused therapy, diagnostic and psychological evaluations.
Nina Vadnais – LMFT
Nina completed her master’s degree in couples therapy from the University of Rhode Island. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Before joining the CMMHC team in 2018, Nina was an in-home behavioral therapist. She works with kids K-12 in the Zimmerman Public Schools. She works with a variety of diagnoses including, bu not limited to: depression, anxiety, trauma, autism spectrum disorder, self-esteem, grief and loss, adjustment disorder, and behavioral concerns.