Centra, Mental Health Services

Centra Latest News and Events

Centra Bridges Partial Hospitalization Program

Our newest addition to Centra Mental Health Services, this program provides short-term, intensive therapy for adolescents in the Lynchburg region who need daily treatment but who can be safe at home in the evenings and on weekends. This program is approved by Anthem and PCHP. Click here to learn more.

"Psychiatric unit for seniors opens amid 'huge need'" . . . click here to read this article from The News and Advance about the newest addition to Centra Mental Health Services.

Centra Pathways Treatment Center Counselor Receives Licensure

Congratulations to Nikki Thomas, M.Ed., LPC, on successfully obtaining licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC)! Nikki joined Centra Pathways Treatment Center, a substance abuse treatment program and facility at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital, in February 2007. She holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Liberty University and a master's of education degree in community counseling from Lynchburg College.

Centra Rivermont School Therapist Honored

Marianne Stinson, therapist at Centra Rivermont School – Tidewater, has been awarded the 2011 Making A Difference Award from the Virginia Association of Special Education Facilities (VAISEF). The award recognizes a staff member who is “making a difference” in the lives of young students. Stinson was nominated for her high level of excellence and commitment to her students.

Stinson has been a therapist at Centra Rivermont School – Tidewater since August 2007. She was presented with the award at the VAISEF spring conference in Williamsburg.

New Counseling Manager

Steve Nielsen, Ed. D., has been appointed counseling manager for Centra Pathways Treatment Center and the adult and child acute psychiatric inpatient programs at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital. In addition to providing clinical supervision for the mental health counselors, Dr. Nielsen has assumed responsibility for individual, group and family counseling in all three programs. He also will provide leadership in program development and quality improvement activities.

Dr. Nielsen previously worked for 17 years at Lynchburg College where he served as associate professor of counseling and the director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. He has been a private practitioner for 11 years and has dedicated nearly 30 years to the care and treatment of addictive behaviors.

We are very pleased to welcome our new vice president of Centra Mental Health Services, Mr. Ted Stryker.

Mr. Stryker most recently served as president and CEO of AtlantiCare Behavioral Health in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. He joined AtlantiCare as vice president and COO in 1994. Previous positions include assistant general director at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadephia and assistant executive director for the Forbes Regional Hospital in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

He earned his undergraduate degree at Bucknell University and his master's degree in health care administration at the University of Pittsburgh.

Stryker has more than twenty years of leadership experience in behavioral health care, including inpatient psychiatric units, emergency care, extensive outpatient services and community outreach.  He was a key member of the leadership team that helped AtlantiCare win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2009.

He and his wife, Bea Kay, have three children.

Centra Piedmont Psychiatric Center is pleased to welcome back Frank Selden, Ph.D., in the practice of clinical psychology.

A native of Virginia, Dr. Selden began working with Centra in 2001, first at Centra Piedmont Psychiatric Center and subsequently at Centra Bridges Treatment Center, where he served as clinical coordinator. For the past three years, he was vice president of clinical programs for the Presbyterian Homes in Lynchburg.

Dr. Selden specializes in depression, anxiety, reactions to trauma, childhood developmental issues, school-based concerns, parenting issues and sport psychology. {more}

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Selden or one of our other clinical professionals, please contact Centra Piedmont Psychiatric Center at 434.200.5999 or 888.528.5999.