ADULT TREATMENT

Steve Welch Steve Welch
Steve Welch, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor, has been at Wyoming Behavioral Institute since 2000, working as a therapist on the adult unit. He obtained his education at colleges and universities in Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Mexico, receiving degrees in Fine Arts, Business administration, Psychology, Education, and Counseling.

Deborah Michael Deborah Michael, LPC
Deborah Michael is a Licensed Professional Counselor who obtained an early childhood education degree from Western Wyoming Community College, a bachelor's in psychology from the University of Wyoming, and a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from Utah State University. She has worked in counseling roles for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, Colorado Northwestern Community College, the Uintah County School District in Utah, and Deseret Industries. Her experience includes serving special populations in need of crisis intervention and education. Deborah joined WBI's adult unit in 2011.

Patricia Patricia Hartley, PPC
Patricia Hartley has undergraduate degrees in psychology from Western Nebraska Community College and the Unviersity of Wyoming, and a master's degree in professional counsling from Grand Canyon University. Her past experience includes working as a domestic violence and sexual assualt program coordinator, serving as a support specialist for families in crisis, and staffing a youth shelter. Patricia is joining the adult unit staff.

Shane Harkins Shane Harkins, PPC
Shane Harkins received undergraduate and master's degrees in social work from the University of Wyoming where he graduated with honors. Shane's past experience includes working as a casework specialist for the Department of Family Services. Shane has 3 years experience working in early childhood mental health and is a member of the Wyoming Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Association. Shane also spent time at WBI during his graduate practicum and was employed part time before joining our team full time to work on the adolesent and adult units.

Jane Chako Jane Robson
Jane has been a therapist assistant at WBI since 2007. She has a bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Kansas and more than 35 years of human services experience, including working with domestic violence victims as a counselor, advocate, and assistant shelter director, and with adults seeking treatment for mental health and chemical dependency issues. She also has worked for the State of Kansas as a social worker, parole officer, and in financial and medical assistance programs. A significant portion of her career has been dedicated to clients and their families and collateral agencies in the community.

Cristina Prypchan Cristina Prypchan
Cristina Prypchan has been employed in the mental health field for more than 25 years. She was trained and worked as a full-time hospital and clinic psychiatrist for a number of years in Venezuala. There, Cristina specialized in the care of adult patients with HIV/AIDs, those who were in need of emergency mental health assistance, and the homebound mentally ill. For She completed her master's degree in social work at the University of Wyoming in 2011 and is seeking licensure as a therapist. At Wyoming Behavioral Institute, Cristina will work on the adult unit.

Jason Smith Jason Smith
Jason Smith comes to Wyoming Behavioral Institute from College Heights Baptist Church in Casper, where he serves as Associate Pastor for Community Ministries. Pastor Jason grew up in Casper but moved to Montana to study at Yellowstone Baptist College. After graduating, he began his pastoral career at a church in Laurel, Montana, and married his wife, Michelle. In 2006, they moved to Casper and are raising their five children here. Pastor Jason makes regular rounds during the week at Wyoming Behavioral Institute, introducing himself to patients requesting spiritual support. In addition to the spiritual counsel provided to patients by Pastor Jason, a group of volunteers from College Heights offers Bible studies and church services on all Wyoming Behavioral Institute units on Sunday afternoons.

Admissions
Adult Unit Patient Handbook Download

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
  • 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.