One year ago, ThedaCare Behavioral Health-Waupaca opened its new facility to the community. The positive impact of that decision continues to reverberate through the community today.
Katelyn L. can attest to that. The mother of three said she has a history of abuse, anxiety, survived several traumatic experiences and suffered from night terrors, among several other challenges.
“A lot of trauma built up from a very young age all the way into a young adulthood,” she said. “I tried seeking help because I couldn’t deal with it by myself anymore.”
The 31-year-old Waupaca area resident felt more comfortable not using her last name for this story but wanted to share her experience at ThedaCare Behavioral Health-Waupaca. She said having the facility located within the community has made a world of difference when it comes to accessing mental and behavioral health care.
Proximity a Plus
“Having a health service like this in a small town makes it very convenient, very easy to get to, even within walking distance for some people,” Katelyn said. “It’s very nice to have that here and so close, versus trying to figure out how to travel to a bigger city like Stevens Point or Appleton for similar services.”
Michelle P. echoed those thoughts. The Wautoma-area woman sought help from ThedaCare Behavioral Health-Waupaca when she relapsed after 25 years of sobriety from alcohol. In an effort to ween herself off of prescription medication taken for pain, she had a few sips of wine.
“I thought a little bit of wine would help but it turned into a case of beer a day and some wine on the side,” she said. “I drank myself so bad that I ended up in the hospital for a month from alcohol poisoning.”
Michelle was referred to ThedaCare Behavioral Health-Waupaca.
“If it was not available, I don’t know that I’d be here today,” she said. “I was lost and the guidance that was offered to me was a gift in itself. It was incredibly important that they were close because it was easy for me to get there.”
People like Katelyn and Michelle are why ThedaCare Behavioral Health-Waupaca opened its facility in July of 2024, said ThedaCare Behavioral Health Interim Director, Carrie Kubasta. The facility, located at 710 Park Ave., serves people in the rural communities of Waupaca, New London, Manawa, Wautoma, Wild Rose and Weyauwega, as well as people in other surrounding communities.
Between July 2024 and May 2025, the facility completed more than 5,700 patient visits. In that time, it also has added a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, a Substance Use Disorder Counselor and welcomed two new mental health clinicians in June.
“Our Waupaca facility offers a variety of services, including Individual and Group Mental Health Therapy, Outpatient Psychiatric Services, Medication Management and Individual and Group Counseling for Substance Use Disorders,” Kubasta said. “We offer in-person and virtual visits for many of our services.”
In addition, the physical building offers intangibles that may help enhance the patient experience, Kubasta said.
“It’s open, airy and comfortable which is important for a behavioral health setting,” she said. “It also features artwork by local artists. These features were part of a concerted effort to help support balance, harmony and flow of positive energy through the facility.”
Expanding Access
The facility came about as a result of community discussions, Kubasta said. Every three years, ThedaCare hospitals conduct assessments of the health and well-being of the communities served.
“We complete these assessments in partnership with other health systems, public health, Community Health Action Teams, community members and stakeholders such as the ThedaCare Foundation-Waupaca, that are dedicated to maintaining an incomparable quality of life in the region,” Kubasta said. “The Community Health Needs Assessment identified the need for additional mental health services.”
To address that need, the assessment report offered several recommendations, including expanding behavioral health treatment capacity, opening a new behavioral health clinic in Waupaca and increasing the number of providers.
People looking to schedule an appointment with ThedaCare Behavioral Health-Waupaca should begin with their primary care provider who can help them navigate any concerns, Kubasta said. Their provider will then refer them for an appointment.
“Seek the help that you desperately need,” Katelyn said. “In the long run, it is worth it to come out on the other end a whole new person, a better person, a happier person.”
For more information, visit ThedaCare Behavioral Health.
