Sarah Mendoza, LPC-Associate
LPC-Associate
Sarah is a native of San Antonio, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Merchandising and Consumer Sciences in Textiles and Apparel from The University of Texas at Austin in 2019 and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2023. Sarah has experience providing therapeutic interventions to children, adolescents, guardians, and families under supervision at a community-based center. Now as a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Sarah utilizes an integrative approach while emphasizing collaboration, and empathy to support clients on their journey towards healing and growth.
Shanon Claudio, LPC
Behavior Health Specialist
Shanon has been a licensed professional counselor since 2013. She has experience working with youth and families in a variety of settings, including community counseling and foster care. She has 5 years of experience providing case management for children and adults throughout Texas. Shanon has been with UT Health CPAN PeriPAN team since July of 2020.
Stacy S. Aleman, MSW, LCSW
Licensed Master Social Worker
Stacy is a graduate of Our Lady of the Lake University earning both her bachelor’s degree (2011) and master’s degree (2013) in Social Work. Stacy has been a Licensed Master Social Worker in the State of Texas since 2015 and is currently pursuing her License in Clinical Social Work (LCSW) under the supervision of Dr. Carissma Hughes Valentine, LCSW-S, MS #62119. Stacy’s career has been primarily focused on child and family services. Over the last 12 years of her career, she has held positions in areas such as social services, community outreach, case management, care coordination, crisis intervention and mental health treatment. In Stacy’s current role, she provides mental health counseling and serves as a Clinic Trainer. She is also certified as a YAM (Youth Aware of Mental Health) facilitator. Stacy is client-centered and takes an integrated approach when providing treatment to meet an individual’s needs and treatment goals.
Steven Pilszka, MD
TCMHCC Co-Director, CPAN Psychiatrist, TCHATT Medical Director
Dr. Pliszka is a Dielmann Distinguished Professor and was Chair of the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio until 2023. He has been a faculty member at UT Health San Antonio since 1986, joining the Department of Psychiatry after completing his general and child adolescent psychiatry residencies at UT Health San Antonio. Throughout his career he has been involved in a wide range of administrative, research, clinical and educational activities. Prior to being Chair, Dr. Pliszka served as Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from 1995-2015. Dr. Pliszka has an active clinical practice, caring for many children and adolescents with ADHD and other psychiatric disorders; he also serves as the attending psychiatrist for two residential facilities for children with severe behavioral and emotional disorders.
Thomas Matthews, MD
CPAN Psychiatrist
Dr. Matthews has been in practice since 2002. He is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and specializes in treatment of ADHD, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. Dr. Matthews works in outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization settings. He works in college mental health at St. Mary’s University. Dr. Matthews currently serves as the Division Chief of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at UT Health San Antonio. He also serves as the Medical Director of Outpatient Psychiatric Services at Clarity Child Guidance Center. Previously he had served as the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Residency Training Director or Associate Residency Training Director.
Torgeir Aavik, LPC
Behavior Health Specialist
Torgeir has been with CPAN PeriPAN since the launch in 2020. Torgeir has experience working with abused and neglected youth as a CPS case worker and has experience working with complex family dynamics and developed family plans to produce effective change.
Tracy Schillerstrom, MD
CPAN Psychiatrist
Dr. Schillerstrom has been in practice since 2006. She is board certified in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry and specializes in the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, depression and mood disorders in the outpatient setting. Dr. Schillerstrom also serves as the supervising psychiatrist at UTSA and specializes in college mental health.
Valerie Hernandez, MS, LPC-S
Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor
Valerie Hernandez has been a licensed professional counselor since 2014 and has been a board approved supervisor since 2022. Valerie has over 18 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adult patients in outpatient and residential settings. She helps clients who face challenges in the areas of trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD, behavioral issues, substance use, grief/loss, and others. Valerie is a certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Valerie also specializes in solution-focused brief therapy in which she works to construct solutions for client’s difficulties based on client’s strengths and their unique life experiences. She uses additional tools such as cognitive behavioral therapy, unified protocol, and motivational interviewing.