In this member spotlight published in January 2021, the Whitewater University Innovation Center features Lesley Baird Chapin, Psy.D., the Vice President of the Pauquette Center.
What does the company do? What products/services do you offer?
The Pauquette Center for Psychological Services provides state-licensed, outpatient mental health services. Through a full array of behavioral health and related services, the Pauquette Center serves children, teens, adults, couples, groups, and organizations.
Their outpatient mental health services include:
Psychotherapy
Alcohol Abuse Treatment and Substance Abuse Treatment Services
Group Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Psychological Assessment and Testing
Employee Assistance Program
Individualized Consultation to Organizations
The Pauquette Center uses an integrative care approach and consistently assesses contributing factors and obstacles to personal wellness for each individual. Therapists can collaborate with other care providers including primary care physicians and prescribers to formulate the best possible plan of care for the individual client.
Who do you serve? Who is your target market?
The Whitewater office serves individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations in Whitewater and the surrounding area. The Pauquette Center fulfills the gap in mental health services in the tri-county area including Walworth, Jefferson, and Rock Counties.
Who is the team?
The Pauquette Center is led by:
Thomas J. Hayes, Ph.D. - CEO, Owner, Security & Compliance Officer
Lesley B. Chapin, Psy.D. - Vice President & Executive Director
Adrea McGlynn, Psy.D. -Director of Psychological Assessments
Peter Schuster -Director of Business Operations
Sherry Stevens - Director of Office Operations
Jill D. Baures, Psy.D., Training Director & Whitewater Office Director
The Whitewater team will be made up of a combination of several psychologists, counselors and clinical social workers and will increase availability based on community need. Additionally, as a training clinic, a team of advanced social work and counseling students will assist in patient care.
From time to time, you may see Lesley B Chapin, Psy.D., Jill Baures, Psy.D., and Adrea McGlynn, Psy.D. around the Innovation Center (Learn more about the Whitewater location and team)
Lesley B. Chapin, Psy.D.
Vice President & Executive Director
Jill D. Baures, Psy.D.
Training Director & Whitewater Office Director
Adrea McGlynn, Psy.D.
Director of Psychological Assessments
Can you tell me how the center started?
In 1965, the Columbia County Guidance Health Center opened in Portage, Wisconsin above the Graham Drug Store. As of 2021, the Pauquette Center expanded its services throughout the state with mental health clinics in Portage, Columbus, Richland Center, Prairie du Sac, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Madison, and Whitewater.
Thomas Hayes, Ph.D, the current owner and CEO, has been with the Pauquette Center since the beginning. He worked for the original organization, became a co-owner, and now ultimately owns and runs the Pauquette Center.
What is your favorite thing about your job and/or the company?
Lesley’s favorite part of working for Pauquette is the staff and getting to interact with each other. As she explains, “We have a ton of expertise. The one thing Tom really instilled in the culture is that it really feels like a family. It is a wonderful place to work and I look forward to going to work every day. I love working with the staff whether it is our support staff, business staff, therapists… It really feels like a team and we come together to find a solution for a client.”
In 2018, Lesley returned to the outpatient world to “make a difference and see the change.” She joined the Pauquette Center part time in December 2018, went full-time in April 2019, opened the Madison clinic in December 2019, and opened the Whitewater clinic in January 2021. One of the reasons Lesley agreed to the Vice President position is that “she enjoy leadership but is not willing to give up being a clinician.” Her role as Vice President provides variety and enables her to wear both hats.
In addition to her role of Vice President, Lesley is a DBT-Linehan Board of Certification, Certified Clinician. ™ Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy that began as a way to treat borderline personality disorder and is now used to treat mood disorders and change behavioral patterns. Lesley explains, “I love that I can provide clinical work, but what I am most proud of is expanding DBT services to the state.” Lesley continues to provide consulting services in order to help other organizations develop and implement DBT within their population.
What inspires you to keep going, pursuing your dream?
Lesley is motivated to help those in need and make a difference. She is excited and passionate about psychotherapy, especially DBT. Lesley appreciates how diverse the field of psychology is and envisions countless ways to expand their services. Growth plans are more geared to diversified services, rather than geographic expansion.
She has been providing consulting services to the Department of Juvenile Corrections, Ho Chunk Nation, and some of Wisconsin's county-based providers to implement and expand DBT services within their organizations and hopes to continue this work so individual communities in more areas of the state will have access to this live saving treatment. She envisions expanding services to better meet the needs of our communities and fill the gaps that exist in mental health and addictions treatment. Ultimately, Lesley explains “We want our state to be in a good state. We strive to expand services to help others do what we are doing and to expand our reach throughout the state.”
Why did you choose to open a location in the Whitewater University Innovation Center?
Lesley is from Fort Atkinson and knows the area well. Historically, when individuals in the local area asked her for a mental health referral for a family member or a friend, she referred them to the Madison area. Lesley saw firsthand the need for a state-licensed, mental health service provider in the Whitewater area.
Staff from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater and Fort Community Health Care reinforced the need for mental health services in the community and are always seeking a referral for individuals in Whitewater and the surrounding area. Geographically, Whitewater was the perfect addition. Moreover, the amenities and serene environment added to the appeal.
In mid-2020, Lesley found the space online and connected with Mark for her first tour. Shortly after, the Pauquette joined the Whitewater University Innovation Center as an anchor tenant with a seven-year lease. The Whitewater clinic opened in January 2021 and is located on the second floor of the Innovation Center. The office features a reception and waiting room along with 6 office suites and two group rooms.
Besides the one urban office in Madison, the Pauquette Center operates with 7 clinics in rural areas. As an employer, Lesley knows there is a huge need for rural services but a lack of providers. The rural Whitewater community with the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater offered the perfect combination. As Lesley explains, “Whitewater, because they have a counseling program and social work program, could potentially be a natural fit to grow and develop mental health providers who are willing to commit to serving rural areas. It’s a win-win.” Looking ahead, the Pauquette Center can develop and train clinicians who will stay rural and grow with them.
Have you collaborated or partnered with other clients at the Innovation Center?
The Pauquette Center will work closely with the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater. The idea is to create a training clinic where advanced social work and advanced counseling students can apply for a one-year internship with the Pauquette Center. Internships will begin in Fall 2021.
What was your company's latest and greatest achievement?
Early on during the covid-19 pandemic, the Pauquette Center transitioned to telehealth services. The Pauquette Center is committed to serving patients and “not letting patients see a gap in services due to logistics.” Telehealth services enabled the Pauquette Center to be able to expand its services to other communities throughout the state and overcome geographic restrictions. Over the last few months, Lesley “has seen the ability to provide high quality mental health care to individuals who would not have had it otherwise.” Furthermore, through telehealth, the Pauquette Center is better positioned to reach the deaf community.
If you know a family member or friend who could benefit from their services, go to their website to learn more. You can email info@pauquette.com for more information or call for an appointment.