Meet the Team

Kristy Meeks

Founder & Director | MS MAC-234 LAT-267

In 2009, Kristy started ABC in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to provide a healing environment in Sweetwater County.

She obtained a BS in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and an MS from Kansas State University.

Kristy’s therapeutic foundation was shaped while she received training with the world-famous family therapist, Virginia Satir. Dr. Satri is known as the "Mother of Family Therapy” worldwide. She also studied under psychologist Albert Ellis, who developed Rational Emotive Behavior therapy, which helped influence the rise of cognitive-behavioral treatment today. She began her career in Kansas and forged a footprint that built statewide services to improve family functioning and services to address at-risk children. Due to her success, she earned several awards.

• 1990 Kansas Governor’s State Recognition Award

• 1993 Kansas Governor’s State Recognition Award

• National Outstanding Award for Community Health Promotion

• National Teens as Teachers Award

• National Exemplary Statewide Parent Training Initiative Award

• Outstanding State Partner of the Year Award

• National Outstanding Community Coalition Award

In 1997, she moved to Kenia, Alaska, to work as a Clinical Director in a large Drug and Alcohol Outpatient facility. Kristy developed gender-based services that targeted women's and children's needs. As a result of her efforts, the agency was awarded the Alaska State Recognition Award. 

In 2002, she moved back to Wyoming and began working as an independent case manager through the Division of Disabilities with the Department of Health, serving adults and youth with disabilities.

In 2009, she founded ABC and began a new chapter in her career.

Growing up in Big Piney, Wyoming, Kristy developed deep gratitude for the variety of recreation Wyoming offers. She enjoys ice skating, inner tubing, biking, hiking, rock hunting, camping, and fishing. She is very proud of her son, Max Mickelson, who recently became the Mayor of Rock Springs. She is blessed with her grandchildren, Emily and Ada, and daughter-in-law, Darcie Punches Mickelson.

Amber has worked for more than 15 years in supervision, safety, and human resources within Wyoming’s Oil and Gas industry. Her work focused on providing necessary support and training to benefit Wyoming workers and their families, and creating safer work environments to promote employees' health and well-being while protecting our state's natural beauty.

Amber received an Associate of Science in Business Administration and an Associate of Arts in Communications in 2004 at Western Wyoming College, Wyoming, in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She returned to college, earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology in 2013, and completed her MSW program at the University of Wyoming in 2019. Amber received the Wyoming Women’s Edelweiss Scholarship from 2015 through 2018 on the merit of her studies and advocacy within the State of Wyoming.

· The University of Wyoming, Masters of Social Work UW Summer Project 2015: Connecting and collaborating with mental health and substance abuse organizations within the Laramie Community to provide a collaborative effort to provide for substance abuse and mental health resources through the University of Wyoming for the students and the Laramie community through the development of laramierecovery.org  a University of Wyoming weblink.

The University of Wyoming, Women, and Gender Studies Summer Project 2017: Amber participated in feminist collaborative work by Wyoming Pathways from Prison (WPfP), a trans-disciplinary and trans-professional statewide collaborative that supports currently and formerly incarcerated people in navigating the waters of higher education and life more generally. WPfP works in close collaboration with the Wyoming Department of Corrections with the primary goals of offering college credit to incarcerated people at no cost, mentoring students in teaching and leadership, engaging in valuable service to the state of Wyoming, and providing UW students with real-world experience through education and assistance to the DOC. 

Amber interned at the VA Hospital in Sheridan, Wyoming. Rock Springs VA clinic from 2015 through 2017 and received recommendations for her advocacy and case management with Wyoming's veterans and developed skills to work with our veterans and other vulnerable populations to create awareness and provide intervention for suicide prevention, trauma, and substance abuse in addition to working with homelessness through the HUD VASH program.

Amber believes in the power of compassion and human connection; she is a dedicated daughter, mother, and grandmother. Amber is a tenacious and compassionate advocate for vulnerable populations experiencing mental health, trauma, substance abuse, and hardship. Amber is a survivor of trauma and addiction and has remained active in her recovery for twenty-five years.

She envisions that all people are capable of significant change and recognizes our human capacity to empower others and improve individual lives and our communities through outreach and advocacy. Amber has twenty-two years of experience in Wyoming Community Advocacy. She has worked as a crisis worker, direct service provider, and social justice advocate for family violence and sexual assault in Natrona and Sweetwater Counties of Wyoming.

·          YWCA Support and Safe House Advocate of the Year Award 2006

·         The Wyoming State Victim Services SAS X Award in 2011

·          Rock Springs Head Start Policy Committee Member 2019-2020

 On a personal note, Amber is a talented vocalist and performer and has used those gifts and encouraged others to find joy and celebrate recovery in their own lives and has actively used those talents to enhance community awareness and raise funds for nonprofit agencies such as Cowboys for Cancer of Rock Springs and The Silent Witness Memorial Vigils for Domestic Violence Awareness in Sweetwater and Natrona Counties of Wyoming. Amber’s other interests include meditation, grounding, rock hunting, and connecting with the beauty surrounding.

Reverend John Cusulos

jcusulos@abc-therapy.org

LPC-452 LAT-154

Reverend John Cusulos enjoys using his unique sense of humor in all situations, especially therapy, to promote emotional healing and growth. He likes to think of himself as an able guide for people seeking their path in recovery.  Reverend John Cusulos has helped build ABC from the ground up and enjoys helping it grow and flourish.

Reverend John Cusulos obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Hellenic College in Brookline, Massachusetts, his Master of Divinity through the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and a Master of Arts Counseling degree from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a retired Orthodox priest, he travels throughout the United States to conduct services.

Reverend John Cusulos enjoys bike riding and traveling. His family owned a Greek restaurant when he was growing up, and now he finds he enjoys cooking on the weekends. He likes trying new recipes and inviting family and good friends to a wonderful feast and lively conversation. He also enjoys watching football, reading, and going to the movies on the weekend. He has two adult children who are caring, successful, and compassionate adults. He has over 35 years of recovery and values the fellowship AA provides.

Reverend John Cusulos has worked in many settings; Spiritual counselor at the Crest View Hospital and Counseling Center, therapist for Southeast Wyoming Mental Health Center, Therapist with the Sunrise Recovery Center at Wyoming Medical Center, Clinical Director with Wyoming Recovery Inc, Owner operator of Stepping Stones Counseling Service in Casper Wyoming, AOAA Evaluations for the Addiction Offender Accountability Act with the State of Wyoming, and as a Therapist with the Central Wyoming Counseling Center in Casper, Wyoming.

Karen Checketts Ph.D.,

Clinical Psychologist - kchecketts@abc-therapy.org

Dr. Checketts earned her Ph.D., in Counseling Psychology at Pennsylvania State University, and her M.Ed., in Counselor Education. She obtained her B.S., in Psychology and Child and Family Studies at Weber State University.

Dr. Checketts has worked in many settings conducting intake assessments, diagnostic

evaluations, treatment dispositions, and individual, couples, family, and group therapy. She has

designed and implemented Dialect Behavior Therapy programs for adolescents with borderline

traits. She is experienced in assessing a wide range of needs including; ADHD, anxiety,

depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, dual diagnosis, eating disorders,

and PTSD. Assessment tools she has been trained to use include MMPI-A, MACI, BDI,

SASSI, COMPU-TEEN, WISC-IV, WAIS-III, and WIAT-II, Beck Depression Inventory,

MMPI-2, MCMI-3, Symptom Checklist 90, EDI-2, AUI, and PAI.

Dr. Checketts has designed and implemented Intensive Outpatient programs for women with

substance abuse problems and victims of domestic abuse. Specialty Areas: Eating disorders

assessment and treatment, group psychotherapy, drug and alcohol/dual diagnosis, career

counseling, relationship issues, sexual orientation issues, victims and perpetrators of childhood

sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and physical abuse.

She has taught at the Argosy University in Salt Lake City, Utah; the Phoenix University, the

Utah Career College in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Checketts has presented workshops on a range of topics.

As a volunteer, she was President of Psi Chi, Weber State University Chapter, and an officer with

the Chi Sigma Iota.

She belongs to the Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society and the Psi Chi National Honor.

Society.

Natalya is a recent graduate with a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling from Grand

Canyon University and is a dedicated professional committed to supporting individuals on their

path to recovery. With a strong foundation in addiction counseling, wellness coaching, and

behavioral health, she is passionate about empowering clients to make lasting, positive changes

in their lives.

Born and raised in Kazakhstan in a traditional Russian family, Natalya graduated with honors

from Kainar University with a Master’s degree in Psychology before moving to the United States.

Her journey has taken her across Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia before she settled in

Wyoming in 2013. She also spent a year in Egypt studying its culture and way of life, deepening

her understanding of diverse perspectives and human resilience.

For over 15 years, Natalya worked as a fitness, nutrition, and wellness coach, holding multiple

NASM certifications, including Corrective Exercise and Wellness Coaching. Her work focused

on helping individuals achieve balance in their physical and emotional well-being. However, her

passion for deeper healing led her to transition into addiction counseling, where she could

address the root causes of struggles and provide more comprehensive support.

During her clinical training at ABC Mental Health and Addiction Services, she worked with

individuals facing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health challenges, and trauma.

Utilizing evidence-based interventions such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral

therapy, and relapse prevention, she strives to create a compassionate, client-centered

environment where individuals feel heard, supported, and empowered. She strongly believes that

no one should face addiction alone and is committed to guiding clients through their recovery

with empathy and understanding.

Natalya’s holistic approach integrates her background in wellness, recognizing that true healing

extends beyond symptom management—it requires nurturing the mind, body, and spirit. Her

goal is to become a licensed addiction counselor specializing in integrated recovery approaches

that combine clinical expertise with wellness-based strategies.

Dedicated to continuous learning and professional growth, Natalya thrives in environments that

encourage collaboration and innovation in mental health care. She is eager to contribute her

skills and passion to helping individuals regain control of their lives and build healthier futures.

Outside of her professional work, Natalya enjoys traveling with her husband, going for walks

with her dogs, going to the gym, cooking, reading, and playing the piano. She values lifelong

learning, personal growth, and promoting well-being in both her personal and professional life.

Leon Chamberlain LCSW-298

Leon was born and raised on a ranch near Douglas, Wyoming, graduating from Converse County High School in 1970. Before getting his Master's in Social Work, he worked as a police officer and equipment operator in the coal and uranium mines. He left the mining industry and spent the next eighteen years as a Journeyman Field Mechanic for Phillips Petroleum.

In 1990, Leon returned to college, receiving a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Social Work from the University of Denver. He was licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in July 1998.

After receiving his licensure, he was employed by the Veterans Administration Vet Center, as a combat veterans’ counselor, for twelve years, group facilitator for Domestic Violence Groups for twenty-three years, Women’s groups, 13 years at the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk, WY and has a private practice, Grace Hope and Healing Counseling in Casper Wyoming. From 2009 to 2010, he served as a mental health counselor in the Army during Active duty deployment in Kuwait and Iraq. He served as a mental health counselor for the Wyoming Army National Guard from 2006 to 2015. He has a combined work history, pre-licensure, and license in human services of over thirty-one years. Leon provides the Better Outcomes group, which builds emotional regulation skills and meets the courts’ criteria for those convicted of Domestic Violence offenses.

Bryan Peltier Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist -290 | bpeltier@abc-therapy.org

Bryan earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, accredited by the American Psychological Association, in 1994. He completed his Pre-doctoral Internship at a large provincial psychiatric hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, jointly accredited by the American and Canadian Psychological Associations. 

 For ten years, Bryan worked as a psychologist at Southwest Counseling Service, a large outpatient mental health center in Rock Springs, Wyoming. During that time, Bryan provided therapy for adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families.  He facilitated groups and was a member of the agency’s sexual abuse survivors and domestic violence treatment teams. He conducted psychological evaluations and worked on-call crisis intervention services, including emergency room assessments and involuntary hospitalization hearings.  He specialized in EMDR, treating individuals with severe histories of abuse and trauma. 

2001 Bryan began working for Sweetwater County School District Number Two in Green River, Wyoming.  He completed psychological evaluations for children and adolescents suspected of having disabilities and applied the results to design and implement educational strategies and behavioral interventions.  He was the assigned psychologist for schools at every grade level, including the Expedition Academy, an alternative high school setting, and the district’s Emotional Disability and Autism programs. He provided therapy for severely emotionally disturbed children and adolescents. He conducted in-service training for special education staff members, including Collaborative Proactive Solutions, Mandt and Handled with Care (de-escalation and restraint training), childhood disorders, and self-mutilation and suicide interviewing. He also completed risk assessments for potentially violent students.

Bryan moved to Evanston, Wyoming, in 2018 and worked for the Wyoming State Hospital. His primary focus as a clinical psychologist was acute psychiatric stabilization of patients involuntarily hospitalized through the legal system.  He provided individual therapy for a diverse population of severely mentally ill patients and provided group therapy using Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Dialectic Behavioral Therapy models. He became the hospital's coordinator for the Enhance Treatment Unit, which addresses the need to manage violent behavior to minimize the risk of harm to staff and patients. 

Bryan retired from the State of Wyoming but continues to work as a therapist and consultant for Access, Balance, and Change, Inc. in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He works with individuals with histories of depression and anxiety, substance use, and emotional and physical abuse.  He is an avid hiker who enjoys backpacking in the Wind River Range and has crewed sailing boats worldwide. 

He is perceived as genuine and compassionate, having a sharp wit, and being easy to be around.

Bryan has retired but has remained as a consultant to ABC.

Annette Christensen LPC-1390

Bio to come

Max Mickelson

Business Partner | gmick3@gmail.com

Max is a successful small business owner. He owns Able Hands, which serves people with Disabilities.

He has been highly engaged as a volunteer for 20 years in Sweetwater County and Statewide.

Max is the Mayor of Rock Springs, Wyoming.

He served as the clerk of the Sweetwater #1 School District Board of Trustees for 10 years, vice-chair of the Wyoming State Board of Education for 4 years, Chair of the Sweetwater BOCES Board for 10 years, Secretary of the Rock Springs Amateur Hockey Association Board for 4 years, served as a member of the Rock Springs Soccer Association Board, is past Chair of United Way in Southwest Wyoming Board, and is past chair of the Governor’s Office Disabilities Council. He continues to serve as a Holy Spirit Catholic School Board board member.

He has acquired negotiation and leadership skills, moving organizations forward during difficult times. He is devoted to service-based leadership and is a consultant and partner at ABC. He offers assistance with human resources management, policy development, and fiscal planning.

Kim Kikuts

Therapist | kkikuts@abc-therapy.org | CAP - 039

Kim is all about her dogs, going to her cabin, and enjoying the Wyoming weather. She is loyal, enjoys close relationships, and is an artist. You can often find her in a pool tournament. In the winter, she makes great homemade soups and bakes unique recipes. She might share one if you get on her good side, but she is very generous with sharing her goodies.

With over 23 years of experience, Kim remains available as a backup Clinician and Consultant at ABC. Before her retirement, she provided highly skilled therapy at ABC for over five years. In addition, she worked at the Family Dynamics Counseling Center and the Wyoming State Hospital. She has developed programs for Co-occurring Disorders programs, Social Remotivation, Borderline Personality, and Acute Psychiatric Services. She is a highly detailed and committed therapist who designs experiential learning opportunities. She is sharp and observant, bringing clients opportunities for insight and growth.  The ABC team misses her reliability and commitment to quality services.

Kim has retired and remains available as a consultant to ABC.

Paul Cusulos

IT Computer | Consultant | Billing Specialist

Paul assists ABC with program design and computer systems consultation. He truly makes our job manageable by being available on an on-call basis. He has organized our insurance billing process and reviews insurance claims. He works with ABC to ensure our billing is accurate and responsive to client needs. He assists the Owner with organizational analysis and planning. He has worked as an IT employee at Sweetwater Memorial Hospital and continuously assists organizations in Casper.

TeleHealth

Online therapy is convenient and flexible, and no commuting is necessary. You can meet with a therapist from the comfort of your home. Online counseling allows for remote and on-the-go support, which helps if you don't have time to commute to sessions.

If you are working away from home, it makes it much more feasible than in-person therapy.

Client Portals

If you are wondering if your personal health information is protected online, you can rest assured that ABC uses strong internal security to protect all our electronic health records. Just like all other records, information on the patient portal is also protected by HIPAA privacy laws.