Jake Wiskerchen
Founder, Chief Executive Officer

Marriage and Family Therapist, National Certified Counselor

Across the counseling field Jake has helped people struggling with all types of issues and has been trained in a variety of methodologies and theories. Prior to founding Zephyr Wellness, he gained experience working for six different mental health agencies, three colleges, two school districts, Washoe County Adult Drug Court, and a psychiatric inpatient hospital. He has done work both in-home and in-office and enjoys teaching, consulting, and training as much as he does one-on-one psychotherapy. In addition to his degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, he also holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and consults on accreditation surveys for multiple universities.

Jake’s strengths lie in understanding and appreciating a broad variety of people from all walks of life. Having worked numerous jobs across a multitude of industries from food service to security, warehousing to education, and retail to event planning, he takes great pride in being able to connect with all types of folks. Jake believes to his core in treating people as human beings rather than labels; he works to help clients address their longer standing problems and not just treat their temporary symptoms. He also believes in the infinite capacity of the human mind and that it can conquer anything with the right amount of awareness and intentionality.

A fifth generation Nevadan, Jake's family comes from both rural and urban areas. His father graduated from White Pine High School and his mother went to Reno High School while the entire family attended the University of Nevada. He has played sports his entire life and still enjoys doing so, along with backpacking, cooking, brewing beer, exploring his spiritual faith, and being dad and husband to his family. His volunteer activities include: hosting the Noggin Notes and Guns and Mental Health podcasts; helping coordinate the Northern Nevada Behavioral Health Coalition; serving as a board member for Walk the Talk America; working with Inspir3; and writing for the Reno Dads group. Jake also spent three years serving by appointment from Governor Brian Sandoval on the State of Nevada Board of Examiners for MFTs and CPCs, including as the Board's president for two years, working to expand Nevada's behavioral health workforce through legislative change that he authored.  

His long and deep roots in the general community as well as his experience in health and wellness allow Jake to connect his clients to resources well beyond just mental health. If he cannot provide the help that is needed, he will work hard to find someone who can.

Jake has given consultations, talks, seminars, continuing education classes, and staff trainings, to many agencies, groups, organizations, and individuals, including the Nevada Bar Association, Northern Nevada Law Enforcement Academy (POST), Nevada State Civil Attorneys Association, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce, University of Nevada, Washoe County School District, Nevada School Counselors Association, Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Lyon County School District, VanNess Group Homes, and CSA/Head Start.

To schedule Jake to speak to your organization, please email info@zephyrwellness.org. 

How I stay healthy: Loving my wife, playing with my two sons, brewing beer, shooting, playing music, spending time outdoors, cheering for the San Francisco Giants and Nevada Wolf Pack, promoting my profession, cooking, and following Jesus to the best of my human ability.