Dr. Bruce Whitworth
Dr. Bruce Whitworth was one of 18 psychiatrists nationally to receive the 2007 NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist Award for his work in treating postpartum psychosis. A psychiatrist for 16 years, this is only the second time a Montana physician has received this award.
"I went into psychiatry because it seemed the least pretentious branch of medicine. Mental illness is also the most interesting part of medicine. Integrating mind, body and environment is a life-long pursuit that has no permanent solution. What I did not anticipate was the benefit my clients bring to my life. They show me courage in their struggles with mental illness. Some show incredible serenity to accept what cannot be changed. I am honored that they trust me with their most hidden aspects.
I am especially lucky to work at the Mental Health Center, to be surrounded by co-workers that support and nurture me. It is a rare thing to find a combination of leadership and kindness, but it's there in our Executive Director, Bob Ross and our Medical Director, Dr. Tom Van Dyk. Having a safe haven is essential, and my wife and three children allow me to be someone other than my work persona. They keep me connected to an inner innocence and they give me a joy that I couldn't be without".
Carmen Gonzalez, Team Lead, P.A.T.H . (Projects for the Assistance in Transition from Homelessness)
"I have been in the human relations field for most of my life. My father would always tell me that helping people was a privilege. He would always encourage me to pursue my dreams and tell me that. When you move up your ladder of life, stop, turn around and look down, reach out and help someone else. I have never forgotten that lesson and to this day I use it when the opportunity arises.
My past experiences have allowed me to be able to relate with many individuals; adults and youth alike, who are struggling and losing hope. Dad wanted me to understand that every trial in my life would help build my faith, courage and strength and he taught me that the lessons I learned in life are there to share with others. Doing this offers HOPE and it is what keeps my team and me coming back day after day. We know it makes a difference when we see their faces the next day.
I thank my dad for teaching me to care for others, to always help when opportunity is there and for showing me how to give back what I've learned to others".
Joe Chalupa, Team Lead for The HUB (Drop in center for people with chronic mental illnesses who are also facing homelessness issues).
I have been an employee for the Mental Health Center for 12 years. I started my career at the MHC as a Day Treatment Aide/ Supportive Case Manager, then as an Intensive Case Manager. In 2002 I became the Team Lead for The HUB.
My career at the MHC has been educational and never boring. My life experience has given me the opportunity to communicate and relate to people of all ages. When I speak to a group or organization about the MHC, The HUB or homelessness, they ask what we do at the HUB. My first response is usually, "We give people hope!" If you asked my team, they'd tell you my motto is "Lead by example". My team and I try to do this daily by showing everyone coming through the door the respect they deservce. I'm fortunate to have daily contact with the clients of The HUB and on a regular basis I'm humbled by the education that they give me.
I have been appointed to The City of Billings Mayor's Committee on Homelessness, I'm also a member of the B.A.R.N. (Billings Area Resource Network) and also co-chair of Project Homeless Connect. My goal is to educate people in the community on how debilitating mental illness and/or homelessness can be and how to be part of the solution.
Nichole Sholley BS, Case Management, Team Lead
I have been an employee for the Mental Health Center for 9 years. I started my career at the MHC as an intern in the Case Management Department and was then hired as a Path Outreach Liaison going out into the community seeking homeless individuals with severely disabling mental illness. After 2 years, I transferred to regular case management services where I served 25-30 clients on a regular basis. I have acted as a team lead in the case management department for the past two years. I have facilitated Dialectic Behavioral Therapy Skills groups and for the past several years have been the MHC MANDT trainer, teaching all MHC staff de-escalation techniques.
My career here at the MHC has been extremely rewarding. I remember as a small child dreaming of being in the helping profession. I once told my family I wanted to be a psychiatrist to help people, recognizing I wanted to serve, but not understanding in what capacity. Through the years I have served so many broken souls. Listening to the most heart breaking stories of pain and despair, it is hard to believe people can live through such trauma. Mental Illness is such a debilitating condition for so many in our community. Letting people know they are not alone in their suffering and they can have a better quality of life is the mission of the Mental Health Center. I take pride instilling hope in the most lost and hopeless. Treating all people that enter into our center with dignity and respect no matter who they are and where they have come from is just what we do.
As I have moved into a more supervisory role in my profession, I have missed the direct care with participants. Although I believe I can serve even more people by teaching my case managers to provide the best quality care available.
Tasha Wickens, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Outpatient Therapist
I believe that therapy is a unique and individual experience for every person who commits to the challenge of personal growth and change. To me, this is what makes being a therapist a rewarding career. Helping someone to understand how their experiences in their environment, and sometimes their biological make up, create the pieces of us that are interesting. The challenges we face in life create who we are; they are often opportunities for growth and the development of coping tools that we would not obtain otherwise.
As a therapist, I have been put in a position not only to help others grow, but to learn from others as well. Every day I am given an opportunity to learn, grow and challenge myself. At the Mental Health Center, there is a team of Psychiatrists, Therapists, Case Managers, Mental Health Workers, and other non clinical staff, all of which bring their unique experiences to the table. Just as every employee at the MHC is shaped by their individual emotional, physical and spiritual histories; we understand the people we serve are coming to us with their own journey through life that will be unique to them.
This journey through life has many twists, turns, forks (and often times construction work), and it is my personal goal to help others navigate their unique, invisible road map.
My work with Veterans -
In our state, you can bet that one out of ten adults has served in the military, and it is likely you have a family member or friend who has been affected by some type of combat trauma. As a therapist, it is my personal goal to do what I can to help veterans and families of veterans better understand how their lives have been shaped or changed by their experiences.
PTSD has left generation after generation of combat veterans seeking respite from their memories, nightmares, grief, and feelings of hurt and anger. Unfortunately, many combat veterans turn to alcohol or drugs for the brief reprieve from their PTSD symptoms. However, they then find themselves feeling more depressed and having problems with family and work. Veterans also frequently find themselves feeling distanced from family, friends, and things they once enjoyed. This often leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
I worked with many homeless veterans at the Community Crisis Center who were angry at the VA system and did not want anything to do with the government, and many who did not know what options were available to them as veterans. I have also worked with veterans at the Mental Health Center who have led lives most would say have been successful, but felt like a part of them was missing and never felt complete. I feel it is my job as a citizen, and as a therapist, to help veterans, families, friends and society to understand the symptoms of PTSD and how to help soldiers cope with the traumas experienced in war.
Angie Schmidt: BS, VA MHICM and VA Outpatient Intensive Case Manager
I've been employed at the Mental Health Center for three and a half years and have been working with veterans, as an intensive case manager, for 2 years.
My grandfather was a World War II veteran and my father was a Vietnam Combat veteran, but it wasn't until working with veterans did I realize what they ultimately stood for and how proud they are for having served their country. The veterans I've worked with range in age from 26 yrs old to 85 yrs old and they are all unique individuals.
As a VA case manager I'm able to link veterans with community resources and advocate for them. Most veterans have a very small support system and the MHICM and Outpatient programs are able to provide them with the support they need to be successful. Trust is a big issue and if there's anything I've learned it's that consistency and efficiency are key in gaining their trust.
My job is a challenge and yet at the same time very rewarding. It's an honor and privilege to work with these men and women who exude pride and passion for what they believe in. It wouldn't be as satisfying without the continuity of care through our medical department, outpatient program and the community based VA clinic in Billings, along with the assistance and support from the Veteran Affairs at Fort Harrison in Helena. They are wonderful and caring people.
Fred Betz: LCPC, Outpatient Therapist
I am a Vietnam combat veteran and work with veterans who have P.T.S.D. (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
There is real enjoyment in being able to help combat veterans come to terms with the trauma that they experienced and to realize that they are not "crazy" (as they often put it). Having the unique advantage of being able to relate to my own personal reaction to P.T.S.D. is a great asset.
I can clearly recall talking with Dr. Julius Earl, Psychiatrist in our private practice office in Billings during the 1980's. We had become friends as well as associates while working together and one day after work he asked me, " Who did you do your P.T.S.D. therapy with?" My immediate response was, " I don't have P.T.S.D.! " I remember his leaning over, tapping me on the shoulder and saying, " Tuesday and Thursdays after work Fred. " The relief that I felt that someone would listen to my story and help me to understand what I had been through was overwhelming! That was the beginning of my journey to really understand the effects of P.T.S.D. To learn about the denial and my belief that it was not O.K. for me to have this mental illness. The realization that I wanted to "be stronger that that" and that I should be able to "get over it on my own." My personal resistance to having this Mental Illness was eye opening! I was able to learn about how the trauma had changed me and my perceptions of the world around me.
I feel privileged to use my personal experiences along with my clinical training to engender similar understanding in our Mental Health Center clients. It is wonderful to pass on the help that I received from Dr. Earl to others.
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