OUTPATIENT
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Dr. Ulmer graduated from Northcentral University with a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy, with a specialization in military families and an emphasis on trauma. She received an MSW from the University of South Dakota in 2012 and a master’s degree in Agency Counseling and Human Resource Management from South Dakota State University in 2009.

A dedicated behavioral health leader and seasoned primary prevention professional, Dr. Ulmer has more than 20 years of experience serving military communities through strategic programming, clinical expertise and compassionate leadership. She served as Integrated Prevention Chief at Ellsworth AFB and is currently a Behavioral Health Officer for the South Dakota Army National Guard. Dr. Ulmer combines systems-level thinking with boots-on-the-ground impact—bridging gaps in care, enhancing force readiness and promoting total wellness. She has earned numerous medals, awards and honors.

Dr. Ulmer utilizes a wide range of evidence-based treatment modalities to address each patient’s concerns. She works with individuals across the lifespan—from children to adults—and especially enjoys working with couples and families. Her clinical specialties include trauma, anger management, sexual assault, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, risk assessment and suicide prevention. She has extensive experience working with personality disorders, bipolar disorders, and other serious and persistent mental health conditions.

Her professional background includes work in diverse settings such as private practice, community mental health, and residential treatment programs for adolescents with behavioral and chemical dependency concerns, as well as individuals with disabilities. Dr. Ulmer integrates Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mindfulness-based approaches to provide individualized, compassionate care. Guided by her personal philosophy, “If there are no changes, then there'd be no butterflies,” she emphasizes growth through transformation.

Personal Mission: I believe prevention isn’t just strategy—it’s stewardship. Whether I’m building community coalitions, designing preventative models, or offering clinical support, I strive to meet people where they are and guide them to where they’re capable of going. Wellness isn't a destination—it's the ongoing journey of managing challenges with self-compassion and skillful action.

Board-certified in Psychiatry and board-certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Born and raised in eastern South Dakota, Dr. Wilson graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a degree in Psychology. Dr. Wilson earned a degree in Biomedical Science and a master's degree in Behavioral Medicine at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN, where he met his wife, Petra.

Dr. Wilson graduated from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical School. He completed the University of South Dakota Psychiatry residency and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship programs and another fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry.

He practiced in Yankton, SD, for three years and in Hot Springs, SD, for nine years. He established an outpatient Psychiatry program, covered multiple geriatric facilities and worked in an administrative role. He began working with Children's Home Society (CHS) in 2017 and joined CHS full time in July 2024.

Dr. Wilson enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending concerts and the theater, hot air ballooning, hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and other outdoor activities.

Tayler graduated with a nursing degree from Western Dakota Technical College, where she received the Clinical Excellence Award for her commitment to patient care. Her career has included roles at Avera Behavioral Health and Sanford Women’s. Tayler also worked as a travel nurse, gaining broad clinical experience across multiple specialties throughout the U.S.

Her practice is rooted in the belief that mental health is an essential component of overall health, and she is passionate about reducing the stigma around mental illness. Tayler uses a trauma-informed, holistic, patient centered approach that incudes collaboration, empathy and empowerment in every patient interaction.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP)

Monica Eaton-Harris is a dedicated mental health professional supporting children, adolescents and families through healing and connection. Monica’s personal mission is deeply influenced by Viktor Frankl’s words: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” This philosophy informs her work, empowering clients to find resilience, meaning and growth even in the face of difficult circumstances.

She earned her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Throughout her career, she has met clients where they are—with compassion, authenticity, and without judgment.

In her role as Outpatient Therapist, she collaborates closely with individuals and families, helping them identify and build upon their strengths as they navigate life transitions, daily stressors and adversity. She also partners with community resources to ensure clients receive comprehensive, coordinated support throughout their healing journey.

With more than 10 years of experience across a range of settings—including residential treatment, youth support services and family therapy—Monica provides care for individuals who have experienced trauma, behavioral challenges and complex life circumstances. Her approach is grounded in the belief that healing is not linear and that each client is the expert of their own life, while she serves as a supportive guide in the therapeutic process.

With an MSW from Florida State University, Chelsea has built a diverse career that includes delivering evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, and substance use treatment programs, equipping clients with tools to gain insight, build stability, and create meaningful change. She is a dedicated mental health professional and clinical leader whose work is grounded in compassion, resilience, and the belief that once you choose hope, anything is possible.

Currently, Chelsea focuses her clinical work on play therapy and trauma-informed care, helping clients process experiences and build emotional resilience in a safe and supportive environment. She brings experience working with individuals across the lifespan, though she is especially passionate about supporting young children ages three to 10, where she can help shape early emotional development and healing.

She most recently served as a Clinical Supervisor at West River Mental Health, where she provided one-on-one counseling, led program development, and supervised clinical staff while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive, client-centered care.

Known for her collaborative spirit and commitment to growth, Chelsea is passionate about empowering both her clients and colleagues. Through every role, she strives to create spaces where people feel valued, supported, and capable of transformation—guided always by the enduring power of hope.

Master of Science (MS), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Amanda earned her MS in Clinical Mental Health from South Dakota State University in 2021 and began her clinical work at the South Dakota Mines Counseling Center, where she supported college students through individual counseling and group-based interventions. Since then, she has gained extensive experience in community mental health, working with adolescents, families and adults across a wide range of needs.

As an outpatient mental health clinician, Amanda is committed to helping individuals grow, heal, and create meaningful change in their lives. Guided by the belief that “if you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done,” she partners with clients to step outside of familiar patterns and build new, healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and living. She is trained in both Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She has led adolescent and adult DBT skills groups and developed curriculum for advanced DBT programming, helping clients strengthen emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness.

Amanda partners with clients to step outside of familiar patterns and build new, healthier ways of thinking, feeling and living. She is passionate about creating a therapeutic space grounded in equity, dignity and respect for everyone’s autonomy. Amanda is known for her ability to build strong rapport with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and for helping clients process traumatic events while developing practical tools for long-term success.

Through a compassionate, trauma-informed and skills-based approach, Amanda empowers clients to take courageous steps toward the life they want—even when it requires doing something they’ve never done before.

Desiree Pedroza earned her BA in Psychology from American Public University in 2017, providing a strong academic foundation in human behavior, mental health, and supportive services.

A dedicated human services professional, Desiree brings extensive experience in community outreach, case management and client advocacy to her role as Case Manager.

She previously was Homeless Outreach Coordinator with Volunteers of America in Rapid City, where she collaborated with community partners to connect individuals and families with critical resources and services. Desiree also served as a Case Manager at West River Mental Health, where she conducted assessments, developed individualized service plans, and supported clients in achieving personal and treatment goals. She has demonstrated a strong ability to build rapport, advocate for clients, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care and positive outcomes.

Desiree utilizes a client-centered, strengths-based approach to meet individuals where they are and address their unique needs. She has experience working with diverse populations and provides support across a range of concerns, including housing instability, access to basic needs, crisis situations, and coordination of care. She is skilled in crisis intervention, case planning, and connecting clients with community resources such as housing, medical care, employment assistance and financial support programs.

Highly regarded for her strong communication skills, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement, Desiree emphasizes empathy, trust-building, and effective problem-solving in all aspects of her work. Whether coordinating services, providing emotional support, or building partnerships within the community, she is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.

Master of Science (MS), Bachelor of Science (BS) in Elementary Education/Special Education

Marisa Carling earned her MS in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Technology from Black Hills State University in 2007, after completing her BS in Elementary Education and Special Education at Black Hills State University in 2002.

A dedicated and highly experienced education and behavioral health professional, Marisa brings more than 20 years of experience supporting children and adolescents with diverse learning, emotional, and behavioral needs. As a Special Education Teacher and Behavior Skills Case Manager with Rapid City School District, she developed and implemented individualized education plans (IEPs), analyzed student data, and collaborated with families and multidisciplinary teams to support student success.

Marisa’s expertise extends beyond the classroom into comprehensive case management, drawing on her extensive background with Black Hills Children’s Home. She coordinated care for youth with complex behavioral and emotional needs by developing individualized service plans, facilitating team meetings, monitoring progress, and ensuring continuity of care across home, school and treatment environments. She has worked closely with families, therapists, educators and community partners to advocate for youth, connect them with appropriate resources, and support successful transitions between levels of care.

Specializing in behavioral management, crisis prevention and intervention, and social skills development, Marisa is deeply committed to creating safe, structured and supportive environments that foster both academic achievement and emotional growth. Her expertise includes implementing behavior intervention plans (BIPs), conducting assessments, supporting skill-building in communication and daily living, and de-escalating crisis situations while maintaining a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. Across all roles, she has demonstrated strong skills in conflict resolution, transition planning, documentation, and compliance, while maintaining professionalism and sensitivity when working with vulnerable populations and confidential information.

Marisa utilizes evidence-based educational and behavioral strategies, integrates technology into instruction, and emphasizes data-driven decision-making to guide interventions and track progress. She is passionate about empowering youth to build independence, resilience, and lifelong skills. Known for her adaptability, collaboration, and strong communication skills, she strives to meet each individual where they are and guide them toward meaningful growth and success.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Paralegal Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Special Education

A dedicated advocate and seasoned human services professional, Ruth brings more than two decades of experience supporting individuals and families impacted by trauma, violence, and systemic barriers. As Office Coordinator, she plays a central role in daily clinic operations, managing patient intake and registration, verifying insurance eligibility, scheduling and coordinating appointments, processing medical records and referrals, and maintaining accurate financial tracking and deposits. She serves as a key communication hub for patients, providers, finance staff and external agencies—ensuring seamless coordination of care while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism in a fast-paced healthcare environment

Ruth earned her AAS in Paralegal Studies from Western Dakota Technical College in 2006, after completing her BA in Special Education at Augustana University in 2000. Her academic background includes specialized coursework in criminal law, constitutional law, legal research and writing, and family violence, along with internship experience supporting victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse.

Ruth’s career includes extensive case management and advocacy work within domestic and sexual violence services. Over many years with DV CARE Team and Working Against Violence, Inc., she supported survivors through crisis intervention, legal advocacy, and system navigation—helping clients obtain protection orders, understanding the criminal justice process, access community resources, and safely transition out of abusive situations. She is highly skilled in trauma-informed care, crisis response, documentation, and cross-system collaboration, consistently demonstrating the ability to remain calm under pressure while advocating for vulnerable individuals.

Throughout her career, Ruth has worked across diverse settings including nonprofit advocacy organizations, healthcare systems, and legal environments. She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to empowering others, supporting victims’ rights, and strengthening systems of care for vulnerable populations.

Guided by her personal mission—to help others, end violence against women and children, and to be a voice for the voiceless—Ruth brings compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to her work. She believes that every individual deserves safety, dignity and support, and she strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves by meeting them where they are and advocating for their path forward.