Welcome to Freedom BHS Manhattan, KS
Our mission is to empower individuals on their journey towards mental and emotional well-being. At Freedom Behavioral Health Solutions, we strive to “Free your Mind”, and allow everyone to maximize their time on this earth. Life is short, let's live it to the fullest!
Meet our providers in Manhattan:
Dr. David Wichman
Dr. David Wichman was born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas and is proud to call it home. He graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Animal Science and Industry, then attended The University of Kansas School of Medicine for his medical education. He remained at KU Med for Residency, where he served as Chief Psychiatric Resident in his final year. Upon completion of residency, he returned to Manhattan to serve as Chief of Psychiatry for Ascension Via Christi hospital (2008-2018). He left the hospital to become Chief of Psychiatry at the Topeka VA Medical Center, and served in that role for 3 years before returning to Manhattan to practice in an outpatient setting at Katie’s Way. Dr. Wichman decided to team up with Dr. Aveekshit Tripathi, whom he practiced with for many years at Ascension Via Christi, to co-found and open Freedom Behavioral Health Solutions. Together, Dr. Wichman and Dr. Tripathi will utilize their medical experience and leadership to build a cutting edge mental health practice that serves the Manhattan area and surrounding communities.
Dr. Wichman will continue to be a national speaker for select psychiatric medications as well as being in high demand for medical educational lectures to psychiatric providers on dTMS, medication management (especially the newer generation antidepressants), and general continuing medical education lectures.
Dr. Wichman is married to his wife Jacque, and they have 4 VERY active children: Lauren, Ryan, Jackson, and Kingston. If you see Dr. Wichman at soccer, dance, track, or football games, say hi! In his free time, you will likely find him down at the lake with a line in the water trying to catch some walleye, crappie, catfish, bass or whatever is biting!
Dr. Aveekshit Tripathi
Dr. Aveekshit Tripathi is a board-certified psychiatrist with a passion for empowering patients through personalized care and evidence-based practices. Dr. Tripathi brings a wealth of experience and a dedication to serving adolescents and adults in Manhattan, Kansas.
Dr. Tripathi's journey began at Government Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala, India, where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). He then honed his expertise in psychiatry by completing his residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita, Kansas. Throughout his career, he has served diverse communities at Ascension in Manhattan and Prairie View in Wichita, gaining valuable insights into the region's mental health needs.
Dr. Tripathi's focus extends beyond diagnoses and prescriptions. He believes in a collaborative approach, where personalized treatment plans are crafted alongside each patient. His expertise lies in General Adult Psychiatry, but he also holds a special interest and extensive experience in Addiction and Psychosomatic medicine. This breadth of knowledge allows him to offer comprehensive care to a wider range of individuals.
Dr. Tripathi's personal philosophy aligns seamlessly with FREEDOM's founding vision. He firmly believes in integrating scientific knowledge with individualized care, tailoring treatment plans to meet specific needs and goals. Collaboration is paramount in his approach, ensuring patients feel informed, empowered, and partners in their own well-being. The end goal is to thrive and not merely survive.
Dr. Tripathi's return to Manhattan signifies a homecoming. He is excited to be part of a team dedicated to delivering exceptional mental healthcare to the community he knows and cares about. His dedication to research and exploration of new treatment modalities promises to contribute to FREEDOM's commitment to providing cutting-edge care.
If you are seeking a compassionate and experienced psychiatrist who prioritizes personalized care and shared decision-making, Dr. Tripathi welcomes you to join him at FREEDOM Behavioral Health Solutions. He is confident that together, you can unlock your path to optimal mental well-being.
Tony Kubina
Tony Kubina, is a licensed clinical psychotherapist with a dedication to transformative therapy. For the past 16 years, he has been practicing independently in the state, blending professional expertise with a personal journey rooted in overcoming anxiety. His journey into psychology was sparked by a dual passion – instilling hope for change in others and navigating personal struggles with anxiety. He holds a master's degree in psychology from Washburn University, where he received comprehensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and exposure therapy.
His concentration lies in exposure therapy, and he has recently embraced cutting-edge technology to enhance this therapeutic approach. Utilizing virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), he is at the forefront of innovative exposure therapy. These technologies open new avenues for transformative experiences in a controlled and supportive environment.
His fervor lies in exploring diverse ways to leverage technology in the realm of therapy. This commitment led him to adopt VR as a powerful tool for exposure therapy. He believes in harnessing the potential of technology to create impactful and personalized therapeutic interventions.
Throughout his career, he has remained dedicated to advancing the field of psychotherapy, consistently seeking novel approaches and staying at the intersection of psychology and technology. His mission is to empower individuals on their journey to positive change through the thoughtful integration of innovative tools. Feel free to connect with him to explore how technology can be a catalyst for positive transformations in your therapeutic journey.
Ethel Akongnui
Ethel Akongnui is a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC). She is passionate about providing quality, compassionate and comprehensive mental health to adolescents and adults. Ethel Possesses strong clinical skills enhanced by natural ability to build rapport with patients and their families. She follows evidenced-based guidelines blended with clinical experience, and personal observation. Ethel’s role is multifaceted including mental health advocate, educator and therapist.
Prior to becoming a PMHNP-BC, Ethel has eight years of nursing experience including: pediatrics, Home Health, medical surgical, Long-term care and emergency department. She attended Walden University where she obtained a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty in psychiatry. While enrolled there she obtained valuable clinical experience seeing patients across the lifespan. Ethel believes that our mental health is as vital as our overall health and should be prioritized. Everyone is unique thus should receive treatment that is tailored to them.
Nathan Lenz
Nathan Lenz is a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist who has been practicing independently in Kansas since 2012. He holds a master’s degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific University in California where he focused on marriage and family therapy. Nathan has worked with a wide range of clients ranging from children to adults, even working with couples and families. Nathan has extensive experience helping clients who struggle with anything ranging from depression, anxiety, and ADHD to more existential issues that arise from life stage transitions and difficulties experienced by your daily life.
Nathan’s approach to therapy is collaborative and evidence based. He works together with clients to build confidence in recognizing and overcoming what is hindering their mental health. To do this he focuses on building a supportive and safe environment where he and the client use their therapeutic relationship and an eclectic mix of therapeutic techniques to empower the client’s growth and change.
Krystal Speier
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become!”
-Carl Gustav Jung.
Krystal’s passion has always been with helping others and has a long history of supporting families through difficult times while helping them find the light in the darkness of difficulty. She prides herself in being able to understand others’ needs, whether it be couples, individuals, adolescents, or the whole family to experience the most this life has to offer.
She actively works as a team player with her clients to help them discover solutions to the issues they experience. She specializes in working with trauma and abuse, PTSD, children, adolescents, and adults. The treatment modalities she primarily works with are CBT and Trauma Systems Therapy.
Krystal graduated from Fort Hays State University with a BS in Psychology and went on to get her MS in Community Counseling. She has a long history of working with a variety of clients, having spent years working in psychiatric hospitals for children and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) with children and their families. She has worked with children and families in the foster care system to assist in achieving permanency in the home or getting back into the biological home. Krystal has engaged in individual, group, family, and couple’s therapy. She obtained her clinical license in September of 2014 and became a nationally certified counselor in 2017.
In 2020, Krystal became a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor.
She is currently licensed in the states of Kansas, Missouri and Texas as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. In addition to her direct client care services, Krystal became the clinical director in 2022 for the private practice contracts with, where she overseas 35+ clinicians.
Mattie-Kay Jackson
Mattie-Kay is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing social work since 2015 and has current clinical licensure in the state of Kansas. She holds a master's degree in social work from Washburn University where she focused on many different aspects of social work practice. Mattie-Kay has a vast amount of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults ranging across the life span. She has had the opportunity to serve clients in adoption/foster care, educational settings, hospice, along with hospital and mental health clinics, and perinatal/postpartum care. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Play Therapy, and strength-based approaches to support individuals in achieving their mental health goals. Through her practice, she helps clients recognize and challenge negative thought patterns, develop coping skills, and improve their overall quality of life by incorporating strengths-based principles, that emphasize clients' capabilities and resources, fostering a sense of hope and optimism.
With a passion for empowering clients, she focuses on building compassionate rapport, identifying and building on personal strengths to promote resilience and well-being. Her approach is collaborative, non-judgmental, and trauma informed.
Mattie-Kay's areas of practice include:
- Anxiety and Depression Management
- ADHD
- Divorce
- Educational Setting Advocacy & Support
- End of Life/Grief
- Gender Issues/ LGBTQIA
- Life Transitions and Stress management
- Mood Disorders
- Self-esteem enhancement
- Perinatal/Postpartum Care
Mattie-Kay will be offering primarily telehealth services with occasional in person appointments as she and her family have recently relocated to Philadelphia. She believes in the power of the client-worker relationship and strives to create a safe, supportive environment for individuals to explore their challenges and celebrate their successes. Together, we can work towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
She has two active and kind stepchildren who love soccer, gaming, and their rescue dog, Zeta. In her free time Mattie-Kay enjoys baking, going for walks with Zeta, and spending time with family.
Gabby Brogan
Gabby is a board-certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, dedicated to improving the mental health and overall well-being of her patients. Originally from Ohio, Gabby was brought to the Manhattan area through familial ties to the military community. These connections have strengthened her commitment to enhancing the quality and accessibility of mental health care for every individual in need.
Before obtaining her PMHNP, Gabby spent more than ten years employed in the Emergency Department, where she honed her skills in crisis management and patient care. For seven of those years Gabby served as a traveling RN, gaining invaluable experience while working in diverse healthcare settings across the country. This unique journey has equipped Gabby with a broad perspective on patient needs and healthcare challenges, fostering a deep understanding of the importance of holistic and individualized care.
In her role as a PMHNP, Gabby is committed to providing empathetic, evidence-based treatment to individuals facing mental health challenges. She believes in the power of building strong therapeutic relationships and is passionate about advocating for mental health awareness.
In her free time, you can find Gabby on the hiking trails, at the lake, or getting lost in a good book. She also finds herself attached to far too many four-legged creatures. Her house is currently under the command of a feisty German Shepherd who insists that extra play time and treats are the ultimate secret to happiness.