Todd Helvig

Director of Education and Training, Behavioral Health Program

303.541.0287thelvig@wiche.edu

Todd Helvig earned his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University after completing his internship at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC) in 2000. He began his clinical work as a psychologist at the Colorado Department of Corrections Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center and became the manager of behavioral health services for the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility in 2004. He supervised the work of correctional psychologists, social workers, and substance use counselors alongside supervising the UCHSC correctional-based interns. He then moved to the Division of Parole in 2007, where he was the administrator of community behavioral health services and organized behavioral health resources in the community for offenders released from institutional settings who had mental health, substance use, or sex offender treatment needs. In 2013, Helvig left state correctional services to join Arapahoe Douglas Mental Health Network (ADMHN) as its director of business development for community behavioral health. While developing new business opportunities for ADMHN, Helvig was building a private consulting and coaching practice. Then, in 2018, his passion for nonprofit community behavioral health led him to CHARG Resource Center, where he served as executive director of a consumer-centric organization supporting the social, emotional, and psychiatric programs and services for those managing chronic mental illness in Denver, Colorado.

Throughout these roles, Helvig has had the pleasure of working with a wide variety and broad scope of behavioral health programs and services. He has worked alongside both city and state leaders to identify gaps in mental health and substance use services, implement evidence-based practices, and raise awareness for the needs of those for whom there are barriers to accessing services. He thrives not only on developing behavioral health resources but on developing those professionals who are providing services, including doctoral interns, psychologist candidates, and mental health as well as substance use treatment professionals. Helvig, with more than 20 years of work in community behavioral health, joins the WICHE Behavioral Health Program unit in the goal to develop programs, processes, and professionals which create essential access to behavioral health services for all those in need.

Ashley Fortier

Technical Assistance Lead, Behavioral Health Program

303.541.0251afortier@wiche.edu

Dr. Ashley Fortier serves as the Technical Assistance Lead for WICHE’s Behavioral Health Program (BHP), where she focuses on enhancing behavioral health programs and workforce development across the Western U.S. With a focus on increasing access to care in rural and frontier areas, Dr. Fortier partners with state agencies and organizations to implement effective, evidence-based solutions.

Her expertise includes collaborative research and publications on important topics like rural behavioral health, trauma-informed care, child and adolescent suicide prevention, and technology and innovation in psychology practices. Her clinical background spans a range of essential mental health services, including support for trauma survivors, individuals with severe mental illness, incarcerated youth and adults, and those in crisis.

Dr. Fortier earned her B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from UMASS-Amherst and both her M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology from TCSPP-Los Angeles. Now based in Denver, she enjoys exploring Colorado’s beautiful outdoors with her fiancé and dog.

Karly Dickinson

Technical Assistance Lead, Behavioral Health Program

303.541.0318kdickinson@wiche.edu

Dr. Karly Dickinson serves as a Technical Assistance Associate for WICHE’s Behavioral Health Program (BHP). She works with various stakeholders across states and organizations in WICHE’s western states to further behavioral health program development and workforce initiatives. In this role, she works to improve the quality and accessibility of behavioral health services, particularly in underserved regions.

Her expertise includes collaborative research in workforce development, particularly within behavioral health. She has assisted psychology internship consortia in developing strategies to cultivate and retain qualified psychologists. This work has included providing critical support for APA accreditation alignment, ensuring programs meet rigorous standards, and helping shape a conceptual framework that fosters long-term growth and sustainability within the field. Clinically her expertise is in neuropsychological testing for all ages and has assisted in shaping her approach to behavioral health workforce development. Her professional mission is to increase behavioral health care accessibility, efficacy, and capacity in rural and frontier regions.

Originally from rural upstate Minnesota and now residing in Denver, CO, she holds a BA in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and obtained her MA and PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles. Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoors, with a particular interest for fishing, hiking, and exploring the scenic landscapes.