ADMISSIONS

The Admissions Department

Joseph A. Izzarelli, M.S.W., Director
Joe has been with the Admissions Department since 2001 and is focused on making Wyoming Behavioral Institute a pleasant experience for all who call for help.

William Tophia, R.N., Admission Coordinator
Willy has been with the WBI Admissions Department since 1998. He also has worked at Wyoming Behavioral Institute as a nurse and a case manager. He completed his R.N. degree at Casper College in 2011. Willy's previous experience includes 10 years' employment with the Wyoming State Training School in Lander.

Marybeth Maston, R.N., Admission Coordinator
Marybeth obtained her nursing degree from Casper College in 2005. Her past experience includes geriatric nursing and working on all WBI units before moving to the Admissions Department in 2008.

Tiffany L. Street, R.N., Admission Coordinator
Tiffany worked as an adolescent, child and Pathways nurse before moving to the Admissions Department in 2009.

Hollie Johnson, R.N., Admission Coordinator
Hollie Johnson is a Registered Nurse who joined our team full time in November 2010 after working for four years as a Certified Emergency Nurse. She graduated from the Casper College Nursing program in 2006, became a SANE (sexual assault nurse examiner) nurse in 2007, and received her Emergency Nurse Certification from the Emergency Nurses Association in 2009.

Cassidy Lach, L.P.C., Admission Coordinator
Cassidy completed her Master of Arts degree at the University of Denver. She worked for the Wyoming Department of Corrections for three years prior to joining WBI's Admissions Department in 2011.

John Schmitt, R.N., Admission Coordinator
John obtained his nursing degree at Casper College. He has 20 years of nursing experience working throughout the Casper area, including previous psychiatric health experience obtained while working on all units at Wyoming Behavioral Institute.

Lindsay Walker, R.N., Admission Coordinator
Lindsay obtained her nursing degree from the University of Nebraska and worked at Regional Medical Center West in Scottsbluff in the neo-natal intensive care unit before joining the Wyoming Behavioral Institute children's unit. Lindsay moved to the WBI Admissions Department in 2011.

Psychiatric Assessment Team

Margaret Swink, L.P.C.
Margaret was an adolescent therapist before moving to the Admissions Department in 2003.

Admissions

Some problems may have been building for years; we can assess them in hours. Our intake team provides a comprehensive assessment at no charge. The goal of this assessment is to provide the patient and /or referring parties with comprehensive conclusions and recommendations for treatment. A member of our intake team is easy to access and available 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Simply call for an appointment, walk in, or obtain a referral from a health care professional. Each individualized assessment is designed to explore particular issues, including:

• Alcohol and other Drug Dependency
• Psychiatric Disorders such as Depression
• Anxiety or Schizophrenia
• Sexual, Physical or Emotional Abuse
• Behavioral Disruption of an Explosive or Assaultive Nature
• Family Problems

Following the assessment process, a referral will be made to the appropriate level of care based on each patients' individualized clinical needs. These may include inpatient hospitalization, day treatment programs, or referral to an outpatient therapist or physician. If you desire further information or would like to arrange for a free, confidential assessment with an assessment coordinator, call (307) 237-7444 or 800-457-9312.

Admissions to the Wyoming Behavioral Institute shall be made without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, or sex.

The Psychiatric Assessment Team (P.A.T.) is a highly trained group of qualified mental health professionals who provide mobile response to individuals experiencing emotional crisis. The P.A.T. is equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies in a variety of locations in the community.

When called, a P.A.T. professional will travel to the site and initiate a psychiatric and/or chemical dependency assessment that identifies the existing issues. Upon completion of the evaluation, possible solutions are presented to the individual, family members or health care professional.

• Confidential 24 hour/7 day service
• On-call Licensed Clinicians will respond to your location for all psychiatric emergencies and on-site evaluations.
• Involuntary 72-hour holds
• Assistance with referral of all patients

Types of Treatment

A multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals led by a psychiatrist administers treatment.

Team members may include:

• Nurses
• Licensed Social Workers
• Licensed Professional Counselors Program Specialists
• Substance Abuse Counselors
• Psychologists
• Mental Health Technicians

The treatment process begins with a comprehensive evaluation to help diagnose any underlying medical or biochemical origins of disease. An individual plan of care is written for each patient's special needs.

Therapeutic components may include:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• 12 Step Support Groups
• Discharge Planning
• Expressive Therapy
• Medication Education/Management
• Psycho-Educational Groups

The treatment plan focuses on attainable short and long term goals established with the input of the patient's family and referring professional, if appropriate. Active family involvement in treatment is a critical component as the patient's recovery is often correlated to healthy family interaction.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO WBI WHEN I COME?

SUGGESTED CLOTHING

• Laundry facilities are available for patients' use. WBI provides laundry soap, static guard and spot remover
• Up to 7 complete changes of clothing, including socks and underwear (underwire bras not permitted)
• Shirts must cover midriff
• Pajamas or shorts and t-shirts to wear at bedtime
• Winter coats, hats and gloves, and sweatshirt or light jacket without string ties.
• Shoes, including gym shoes for recreation time
• Watches without metal wristbands

CLOTHING TO LEAVE AT HOME

• Clothing with obscenities, drug, alcohol, gambling, tobacco or casino themes
• Pants with excessively frayed hems or chains or metal studs, straps or clips
• Drawstrings or strings in pants, shirts, or jackets
• Belts
• Shoelaces

SUGGESTED PERSONAL CARE ITEMS:

• Hair Brushes
• Combs
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo, Conditioner
• Non-alcohol body or perfume sprays in unbreakable containers
• Make-up in plastic containers
• Contact solutions in plastic containers
• Non-alcohol mouthwash
• Pens, pencils
• Notebooks without wire binders
• Envelopes, stamps
• Kleenex

The following are checked out from the nurses desk or used with staff supervision:

• Curling irons and hair dryers
• Electric razors

OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS PATIENTS KEEP IN THEIR ROOMS:

• Bibles or other religious books
• Books
• Stuffed animals
• Pillows and comforters, bedspreads or blankets