Sarah Ortner, MA, LMFT, MHP, CMHS

Sarah Ortner, MA, LMFT, MHP, CMHS

YAKIMA, WA –Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW), is pleased to announce that it has added Sarah Ortner, MA, LMFT, MHP, CMHS; Michelle Littrell, MS, EdS, LMHC; and Dr. Ruth Olmer, PsyD, LMFT, as its new behavioral health consultants (BHCs).  Ortner provides services at Central Washington Family Medicine (CWFM) and CHCW’s Yakima Pediatrics and Littrell provides services at Yakima Pediatrics and CHCW’s Highland Clinic.  Dr. Olmer is providing services at CHCW’s Central Washington Family Medicine (CWFM) and Naches Medical Clinic.

Community Health of Central Washington’s team of BHCs use behavioral science to help patients develop a plan to improve their overall health as well as to support them in living a meaningful life.  Its service model differs from other behavioral health services in that its BHCs are a regular part of your primary care team and communicate regularly with the patient’s primary care provider (PCP).  The medical team works side by side to deliver cutting edge healthcare services in brief formats, usually in 15 to 35 minute visits.

michelle-2

Michelle Littrell, MS, EdS, LMHC

Ortner holds a Master of Arts degree in Psychology, Couple and Family Therapy Program, from Antioch University, Seattle, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from State University of New York in Geneseo, NY.  Most recently she was Clinical Supervisor for Catholic Community Services in Tacoma, WA, providing clinical supervision, clinical training, professional development and field supervision for a team of clinical staff that included: therapists, care coordinators, and family support specialists.  Before taking over as Clinical Supervisor for Catholic Community Services, Ortner served as a family therapist at the organization providing intensive, wraparound, strength and family based mental health services to families, children and youth.

Littrell holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky.  She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Central Washington University.  Littrell’s primary focus was on working with children, youth, adults and families in outpatient mental health settings focusing on treating depression, anxiety, behaviors and trauma.  Before joining CHCW’s family of services, she was a bilingual child and family therapist, managing individual caseloads of older, adults, adolescents, and children at Catholic Family and Child Services, Yakima.

olmer2

Dr. Ruth Olmer, PsyD, LMFT

Olmer holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute in Springfield, Missouri. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Most recently she was the Assessment Psychologist for the Veteran Affairs Black Hills Health Care System in Hot Springs, South Dakota, providing neuropsychological and psychological assessment, relationship education, and individual and group therapy services. Before joining the VA, Olmer provided outpatient therapy and testing services to individual, couples, and families in Indiana and Missouri.

Community Health of Central Washington’s clinics offer care in Yakima, Ellensburg, Naches, and Tieton.  It has a staff of 300 employees.

 

About Community Health of Central Washington

Community Health of Central Washington (CHCW) is a nonprofit organization providing high quality, affordable primary health care, dental and mental health services to area residents.  CHCW provides services to more than 25,000 people annually through six locations, without regard to income and ability to pay.  Headquartered in Yakima, CHCW centrally provides supervision, technical support, fiscal services, planning and human resources for the following sites and services: Central Washington Family Medicine, Central Washington Family Residency Program, Senior and Residential Care (SRCare), Senior Smiles, Yakima Pediatrics, Community Health of Central Washington – Ellensburg, Ellensburg Dental Clinic, Naches Medical Clinic, and Highland Clinic.  For more information, visit www.chcw.org.