Nadine Dexter
Nadine Dexter, RN, BSN, MSN, is Wyoming Behavioral Institute's Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Clinical Services. She is dedicated to the health care needs of people who suffer from mental illness. She has worked in health care for more than 30 years as a nurse, nurse practitioner and in nursing/clinical leadership. She is a graduate of the Universities of Iowa and Kansas. She moved to Casper in 2004. She was instrumental in bringing the engagement model and trauma informed care services to Wyoming Behavioral Institute.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are all the doors in the facility locked?
   We always want to provide a safe, secure environment for all of our patients. Many of our patients suffer from illnesses that make it difficult for them to maintain their own safety outside of a structured environment. Also, due to our commitment to maintain the confidentiality of all of our patients, we need to be able to identify any possible visitors to our units before they enter the patient areas.
2. Can my children have their own toys?
   We provide toys, books, etc for your child to play with during their stay at WBI. If you feel that it would be important for your child to have a few favorite toys from home, please discuss this with Nursing or your Therapist or your child's Therapist.
3. Can my children have their own CDs, portable CD players, radios, etc?
   Due to safety issues, any electronic devises need to be left at home. We will provide radios and music selections to patients on an individual basis, depending on their treatment needs.
4. Who do I contact if I have questions?
   Financial: Call (307) 237-7444 or (800) 457-9312 to speak to an Accounts Representative in the Business Office - Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm Medications or questions for the Medical Team: Call (307) 237-1702
   School Issues: Call the Education Department at (307) 472-2235
   Grievances/Issues/Complaints: Nadine Dexter, Director of Clinical Services, (307) 237-7444 x243
   Your Family Member's Treatment: Please call the Therapist assigned
5. What happens if our Therapist is on vacation?
   There will be another Therapist assigned to continue your family member's treatment. If you are not sure who has been assigned to you, please contact the Director of Clinical Services, Nadine Dexter at (307) 237-7444.
6. What is a Treatment Team?
   The term "Treatment Team" refers to all the people who work with you or your family member to help in recovery. Each member of your treatment team has special skills and a role in your recovery, including you. They are called a team because they're all working with you to help you or your family member reach certain goals. You are an important member of the treatment team
7. Are families expected to be involved?
   Yes, active participation by family members is absolutely necessary. Family members are essential members of the Treatment Team; as with any illness, family support promotes healing. Treatment decisions are often based on information provided by family members. Discharge and aftercare plans are clearly spelled out and reviewed with the patient and family prior to leaving WBI. If you notice any changes in behavior or safety level of your loved one, please let someone on the Treatment Team know about your concerns immediately.
8. Will you medicate my family member?
   Medications are a powerful and effective tool in treating mental illnesses and addictions, however, they are only prescribed after the benefits and any possible side effects of each medication have been thoroughly reviewed with the patient and family and after consents have been granted. Medications are closely monitored and their effectiveness is frequently reviewed.
9. What should I bring?
   Seven changes of clothes, pajamas, and personal hygiene items. Washers and dryers are available on each unit for patient use. Cell phones, pagers, Nintendo-like games, CD players, as well as jewelry, and cash should be left at home. Do not bring valuable items to WBI. WBI cannot be responsible for lost items.
10. What is a typical day like?
    Each day's activities follow a highly structured schedule that may include group and individual therapy, therapeutic recreation activities, school, community meetings, treatment plan meetings, family therapy sessions and private time for reflection and working on written assignments. Visiting hours are every evening during the week, and during the day on weekends.
11. What things can my family member not have while at WBI?
    Safety is always our first concern. Items considered hazardous to our patients, staff or visitors are called "Contraband." Our current list of items not allowed on our patient care units includes, but is not limited to:
    
    • Plastic bags
    • Drawstrings or strings in pants, shirts, or jackets and shoelaces
    • Belts – pant belt or robe belt, ties and scarves
    • Jewelry – necklaces, earrings, or other body piercing jewelry (may have watches without metal bands), unless authorized by physician
    • Clothing with drug, alcohol, sexual themes or potential addicting themes i.e., gambling, tobacco, casinos
    • Homemade food, open or unsealed packages of food (ie: gum, chips, candy, fast food brought in by anyone except a food service delivery person), or anything not in a factory-sealed package or bottle
    • Electrical appliances with cords (hair dryers/curling irons may be used and returned immediately to the Nurses' Station after use as level system/nursing discretion permits)
    • CDs or cassette tapes without doctor's orders on the adult unit, CD or cassette tapes at all on the adolescent/child units. Videos or DVDs are not allowed on any unless authorized as therapeutic by the therapist.
    • Hard plastic objects.
    • Books and magazines not approved by the therapist. Exceptions are religious materials pertinent to that person's religion.
    • Nail polish and nail polish remover. (Facility-provided nail polish may be used while under direct supervision of staff)
    • Cigarettes, lighters, matches and any other tobacco products
    • Underwire bras (May be allowed on adult unit at nursing discretion).
    • Drugs or unidentified substances or powder
    • Knives, guns, or metal objects designed as weapons.
    • Metal hangers, letter openers
    • Sewing needles, hooks, safety pins, straight pins, scissors, metal nail clippers or files of any kind
    • Metal pop cans
    • Glass or metal of any kind, including make-up in glass bottles, with mirrors or metal in the handles of the make-up brushes
    • Picture frames of metal or glass
    • Perfumes, cologne, or aftershave
    • Steel-toed boots and high-heeled shoes
    • Hairsprays and any liquids containing alcohol and aerosols of any kind
    • Cameras, pagers, or cell phones unless ordered by the Psychiatrist or Treatment Team.
    • Any other item considered potentially harmful, non-therapeutic, or altered from original use.
    The treatment team on an individual basis will review these items
12. Will my child attend school?
    WBI has a school on site for elementary, junior high, and high school students. Certified, experienced teachers and aides staff our school. We provide an educational component because we recognize that school is an important part of your child's life, however, the primary focus at WBI is in treating the emotional and or behavioral issues that resulted in hospitalization. Once these issues begin to stabilize, children often can begin to make progress in school. With your permission, our Education Coordinator will work with your child's school to coordinate their education needs.
13. How long does treatment last?
    People respond to treatment differently. Depending on their commitment to improving their lives, their willingness to confront their problems and change their behavior, and the severity of their symptoms, the actual length of treatment varies. Hospitalized adults usually stay between 7 –10 days in the acute program, and 21-28 days in the residential chemical dependency program. Children and adolescents sometimes stay as long as 3-4 weeks in the acute program, and 3-6 months in the Pathways residential program. Discharge planning actually begins at the time of admission. Therapists will work to develop aftercare plans, based on the individual needs.
14. Who do I contact if I have questions about my discharge or my child's discharge?
    Your Therapist or your child's Therapist will coordinate an individual or family session around the time of discharge at which time questions and concerns will be addressed. You may also contact the Case Manager assigned to you or the physician.
15. What can I expect from treatment?
    In treatment, the patient will learn and begin to develop skills. Patients will need to continue working on these skills after discharge and most likely for life. The success of treatment is in large part related to the effort and willingness that the patient puts forth to make changes. Patients will be asked to accept personal responsibility as they work through their issues.
16. What is a denial of rights? And what circumstances might lead to a denial of my rights?
    Wyoming Behavioral Institute supports and advocates for patients to be involved in the process of planning their care and in all decisions about their care. At some time, your doctor, members of your treatment team and if you are a minor, your parents/guardian may determine that it would be in your best interest to restrict your rights. At those times, it is our obligation to communicate with you about those restrictions and the reasons.