Behavioral
Health
Putnam County Hospital Behavioral Health is an integrated service that is housed within the primary care clinics. While our behavioral health providers may consult with patients across the entire hospital system (i.e., inpatient, emergency department, cancer center), the vast majority of our services are delivered in the primary care setting. We offer short-term, cognitive-behavioral treatment to patients that are established with a PCH primary care provider. If you are interested in behavioral health services, please discuss this with your primary care provider.
Dr. Christina Wagner, Ph.D
Dr. Christina Wagner is a clinical health psychologist housed internally within Putnam County Hospital’s primary care clinic, Putnam Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. She graduated with her PhD in clinical rehabilitation psychology from Purdue University at the Indiana University Purdue University campus. Dr. Wagner completed a pre-doctoral fellowship in clinical and health psychology sponsored by Charleston Area Medical Center and the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University School of Medicine in Charleston. Dr. Wagner specializes in cancer care and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Psychosocial Oncology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. At PCH, Dr. Wagner provides therapy for a variety of mental health concerns including depression and anxiety disorders. As a health psychologist, she also provides clinical services to promote health and well-being and prevent, treat and manage chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and pain. Dr. Wagner provides clinical support for adjustment to acute or chronic illness, weight management, tobacco cessation, grief and bereavement, and bariatric pre-surgical evaluations. Dr. Wagner lives in Putnam County, IN with her husband and three children. Dr. Wagner provides services for adults only.
Dr. Nicholas Heck, Ph.D
Dr. Nicholas Heck is a clinical psychologist at Putnam County Hospital and sees patients at Putnam Pediatrics and Internal Medicine and PCH. He was raised in Owen County and attended IU, Bloomington where he majored in psychology. Dr. Heck obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees at The University of Montana in Missoula. Dr. Heck completed his training with a focus on rural, LGBTQ, and underserved populations. His first experience working in an integrated behavioral health setting was on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Montana. He finished his predoctoral training at the National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, followed by fellowship training in adolescent biobehavioral HIV intervention/prevention at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He has worked in juvenile court settings with justice involved youth and is well-versed in trauma-focused and multisystemic therapy approaches to working with children and adolescents. Dr. Heck provides testing/evaluation services for pediatric populations as well as therapy and consultation services for children, adolescents, and adults that are established within the PCH care network. Dr. Heck does not offer adult testing/evaluation services, couples therapy, or substance abuse treatment services for adults. His approach to therapy is time-limited, behaviorally- and contextually-based, and person-centered.
Debora Swinford, LCSW
Debora Swinford, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker at Putnam County Hospital and sees patients at Family Medicine of Cloverdale. She graduated with her Master of Social Work in 1982 and has been practicing as a licensed therapist for over 40 years. Ms. Swinford is a part-time provider and has been employed with Putnam County Hospital since February of 2022. She teaches yoga and loves long distant biking, swimming, hiking, and being a grandma to her 3 grandchildren.
Kimberly Salsman, LMHC
Kimberly Salsman is a licensed mental health counselor at Putnam County Hospital and sees patients at North Putnam Family Healthcare. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Psychology in 1988, Masters of Science in Community Mental Health Counseling in 1990, and has been licensed in Indiana since 1999. Mrs. Salsman has over 33 years of experience working in behavioral health services. Early in her career she was trained in Brief Solution Focused Therapy at the University of South Carolina. She has since been trained in Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She joined Putnam County Hospital in December of 2019. Through positions held as a therapist and director, she has worked with child, adolescent, adult, geriatric, military, and offender populations. Mrs. Salsman is experienced in mood disorders, trauma and assault, psychiatric diagnoses, and situational adjustment.