SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – After more than two decades of service as a social worker and therapist, Dina Ramaha has expanded her mission to the Sierra Nevada, opening a new counseling center in South Lake Tahoe aimed at making mental health care more accessible and community-focused.

Ramaha, who also operates six counseling offices in the Bay Area and one in Truckee, said the South Lake Tahoe location was born out of repeated requests from locals who visited her family’s coffee shop, Three Pines, which she co-owns with her husband, Dimas Pino.

“People kept asking, ‘Can you please open one here?'” Ramaha said. “They weren’t just asking for therapy – they were asking for affordable mental health care.”

While Ramaha wasn’t looking for more work, she really wanted to make this happen for the community and as she explored the feasibility of turning this into a reality, everything seemed to fall into place.

“The moment I sent out energy into the world about the Counseling Center, everything fell into alignment – from renting this place to hiring people – I was supposed to go on this path,” she added.

The therapy center accepts insurance and offers sliding scale rates, making therapy more attainable for residents who might otherwise go without support. Sessions are structured are typically 50-minute therapeutic hours and are available for individuals, couples, and groups. The center also runs specialized programs, including women’s groups, parenting education, and teen support.

Ramaha’s background also includes five years in psychiatric emergency services and a decade working with severely struggling teens and families through a nonprofit. Her global experience spans work in Africa, the Middle East and Vietnam, but her passion remains rooted in building community.

“I love people. I love gathering in community. That’s just always how I’ve been,” she said.

While the office has seen early interest from moms and couples, she acknowledged that getting the word out has been a bit more of a challenge than expected.

“There’s still a stigma around therapy,” Ramaha added. “But it’s not just about pain and suffering. Therapy can be fun. It’s about celebrating your joys and accomplishments too.”

The center welcomes clients from age 12 and up, in accordance with California law, which allows mature minors to consent to their own treatment. While child therapy is not currently offered, the founder expressed interest in expanding services to include play-based and art-based therapy in the future.

Ultimately, she said, the goal is to help people live their best lives – with joy, ease, and connection.

“Every journey begins with the first step. And sometimes, that step is just walking through the door.”

Conscious Mind Therapy Institute is located at 2311 South Lake Tahoe Blvd, Ste 7 in South Lake Tahoe, CA. For more information you can visit them online at consciousmindtherapyinstitute.com.