Mind matters, an introduction to my column

I would like to formally introduce myself to the fine folks of Weston County even though many may know me (yes, I look just like my mother), because many of you might not. 

I am Leslie Hayman, a native of Newcastle and a member of this community for most of my life. I was raised here and am now raising my children here, and I am excited to be at the helm of the News Letter Journal’s efforts to address mental health challenges in our community by providing a monthly column in the newspaper addressing various mental health issues moving forward. 

My interest in mental health began in adolescence when I and others close to me were struggling with some things. This interest only grew after high school and into college, through more firsthand experiences in life — and in my studies at the University of Wyoming. 

I graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology, and I got my start in community mental health and substance use in Newcastle in 2007, working as a case manager for Northern Wyoming Mental Health Center. I built relationships with people and agencies, and I grew my skills and desire for more knowledge.

In 2017, it was time for the next step, and I went back to school. The University of Wyoming was a natural choice, since it offered great in-state tuition and a program that suited my needs. I graduated in 2019 with a master’s degree in social work and have been a licensed clinical social worker since 2021, transitioning from a case management role to a clinical, or therapy, role. 

I have found my place in clinical work, and it has been a joy to be able to walk with people of many different ages and backgrounds through some of the most serious struggles they encounter, to help them overcome these struggles and to thrive. I have also been privileged to work with many knowledgeable colleagues over the years and have learned much from collaborating with them. I have experience in treating various mental health issues, including trauma, depression, anxiety, adjustment issues and addiction. 

I am excited for the next step in my journey — being a part of bringing exceptional mental health and substance use treatment services to the Newcastle community and surrounding areas. I recently began employment with the team of Personal Frontiers Inc. and Center for Solutions LLC. These two agencies offer comprehensive and confidential behavioral health care, bill most insurances, and offer a sliding-scale fee through Personal Frontiers, the partnership’s nonprofit arm. 

Services are available in-person and through telehealth, which seems daunting, but more about that subsequently. We offer a wide variety of care: individual therapy and medication services for mental health and substance use issues for children, adolescents and adults. Therapy and medications include (but are definitely not limited to) CBT, DBT, EMDR, play therapy, Suboxone and Spravato. 

Personal Frontiers has been a part of the Gillette community since 1976, and under the leadership of Kay Guire, executive director, offers a variety of premier substance use treatment and mental health care. Center for Solutions is based out of Gillette and was founded in 2021 by Sarah Smith and Brenda Engle, two psychiatric nurse practitioners who wanted to provide top-tier treatment options for Wyoming, especially the smaller communities. As the practice has grown, that desire has come to fruition: the same top-tier services offered in-person in Gillette are now here in-person in Newcastle with yours truly. We have partnered with Weston County Health Services for office space in their hospital-based outpatient clinic, and in-person office hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursdays. As things expand, more in-person hours will be available, and we look forward to partnering with other local providers for additional convenient and private locations in Newcastle. 

I know how hard it is to ask for help, especially in one’s hometown, so confidentiality and competence are of utmost importance to me.

I care deeply about this community, I am here to stay, and I am passionate about mental health, because personally and professionally I have seen what a difference it can make in life. I look forward to continuing to provide comfortable, comprehensive and confidential in-person and telehealth services to the good people of Newcastle and surrounding areas. I also look forward to having a conversation on matters of the mind in this column going forward, as the mind indeed matters.

I can be reached through Personal Frontiers and Center for Solutions in-depth websites, and appointments can be scheduled from this platform, or by calling 307-686-1189 for Personal Frontiers, and 307-363-5930 for Center for Solutions.