To Our Good Mental Health

Passion Projects

Most of us benefit from a hobby or passion that gives us purpose and fuels creativity. These pursuits are often why we get out of bed in the morning and how we spend the majority of our weekend time. West Central clients do not always have the resources to follow a new interest or a long-held passion. Imagine you are a teenager given the chance to participate in therapeutic horse riding lessons, a young mom struggling with self-image who wants to try yoga classes, or an older adult interested in learning

how to paint.

People who engage in exercise, work, and community activities are happier and healthier. These activities are the foundation for forming long-lasting friendships and good social support. Passion and purpose through work, leisure, and hobbies contribute to good mental health for children and adults.

As a participating non-profit in NH Gives 2025, West Central seeks to establish a fund for mini-grants to be awarded to clients to pursue activities such as gardening, fly fishing, or lifting weights. Please join us by being a part of our Everyone Thrives Enrichment Grant Program at West Central Behavioral Health. Initial gifts, up to $1,000, will be matched by West Central Employee sponsors. 

Lastly, as our long-awaited warmer weather arrives and April is recognized as stress awareness month, remember to follow your passions, especially if they lead you to the outdoors. Personally, I'll be learning how to grow vegetables this year.

Yours in Service,

Lori Shibinette, RN, MBA

President & CEO

Meet Allyson Barry, Director of Training & Staff Development, MA, IECMH-E/RCS

By Dana Michalovic, Director of Development

What path did you follow to become West Central’s new Director of Training?

After receiving a master’s in clinical psychology from Antioch University and completing clinical work at Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, I worked in pediatric mental health, higher education, and interdisciplinary leadership for over 18 years. My particular area of expertise lies in Infant-Early Childhood Mental Health, with expertise in the treatment and assessment of developmental disabilities and trauma-informed care in children and adults. My current area of interest lies in curriculum design and professional mentorship within healthcare and education.

What excites you about this new position at WCBH?

One thing that excites me about this opportunity is the collective innovation that is happening at all levels of leadership. As a member of a team with shared values in interdisciplinary training models and holistic healthcare, I’ll draw on my experience in large-scale system change work in both the healthcare and higher education sectors to support the organization’s effort to be a model change agent. Having a strong background in cross-sector training using reflective practice supervision for medical and mental health providers, I look forward to supporting both WCBH staff and its interns in their professional development process to deepen the experience of the provider and the client.

Tell me about your anticipated first steps here.

As the new Director of Training and Staff Development, I am looking forward to developing a formal internship program designed for transdisciplinary clinical work. Additionally, I look forward to working collaboratively with the WCBH team and its partners to strengthen community relationships and explore meaningful ways to provide enrichment and mentorship services to the WCBH community.

You relocated from San Diego, CA, to the Upper Valley. What attracted you to this region?

Moving to the New England region is one of my personal goals. I enjoy the beaches and the variety of natural outdoor activities, including winter sports.

Join us!



West Central and AVA's 5th Annual Group Exhibition Supporting Mental Health Awareness

"Canopy",

May 9 - July 12

Opening reception on May 9th from 5-7 pm AVA Gallery and Art Center

11 Bank Street~Lebanon

Photo Credits: AVA Gallery (top) & Claire Geno's Artwork titled

In the Afternoon (bottom).



Thank you to our sponsors: The Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation,

The Couch Family Foundation, Lucky's Coffee Garage, Mascoma Bank,

M&T Bank,

Mt. Roeschmore Foundation,

&

The Richards Group

Feeling overwhelmed?

Click here to read this fact sheet to learn whether it’s stress or anxiety and what you can do to cope.



West Central is Hiring!

Do you want to make a difference in someone's life? Are you the kind of person who can work with individuals of varying backgrounds to work towards a common goal for the betterment of a client?

As a WCBH Access Care Coordinator, you'll work closely with our Clinical Team to provide care coordination and case management services for a caseload of clients receiving community-based skills-based interventions. Access Care Coordinators provide resources, brief interventions, case management and follow clients throughout the Intake process until assigned to a provider. WCBH offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits program, professional growth and development opportunities, a collaborative work environment, and full or part-time positions. On-site or hybrid work arrangements are dependent upon the position.

Search our careers page to learn about all available positions.

A Correction

In our March newsletter, it was incorrectly stated that our intake line is 603-542-3128. The correct number is 603-542-5128. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.