Lindsey Topps, PhD, LCPC, has cemented her reputation as a transformative leader in the mental health field, having excelled as superintendent of Larned State Hospital since 2023. In this capacity, she manages three diverse programs, including the Sexual Predator Treatment Program, the State Security Program and the Psychiatric Services Program. She oversees a comprehensive medical department focused on both psychiatric and primary physical health, ensuring holistic care for the hospital’s clientele. Her responsibilities extend to managing the facility’s financial budget, employee relations, onboarding, recruitment and retention initiatives. Additionally, Dr. Topps directs workflow management, supply procurement, contracting services, clinical information systems, medical records and information technology operations for the aforementioned hospital.
Since assuming leadership at Larned State Hospital, a facility that accommodates over 450 patients and employs more than 1,000 staff members, Dr. Topps has prioritized cultivating a positive workplace culture and improving staff retention. When she began her tenure as superintendent, the hospital faced a vacancy rate of 44 percent. Through her efforts to promote work-life balance and foster an environment where employees feel valued and supported, she successfully reduced this rate to 26 percent, marking the lowest vacancy in many years. Dr. Topps attributes this achievement not only to legislative support but also to her focus on creating a culture where employees are engaged and motivated to make a meaningful difference.
Prior to her present position, Dr. Topps served as assistant superintendent at Larned State Hospital from 2022 to 2023, functioning as chief operations officer. In this position, she gained extensive experience in operational management and support services across every department of the hospital. Her rapid progression into executive leadership is one of her proudest accomplishments; at just 28-years-old, she was entrusted with significant responsibility for a hospital serving more than 420 patients and employing between 800 and 1,000 staff members.
From 2019 to 2022, Dr. Topps was active as the chief operations officer at Larned State Hospital. During this period, she developed a deep understanding of systematic approaches and big-picture thinking that would later inform her administrative philosophy. Her earlier clinical experience includes working as a private practice therapist at Avenues for Change in Great Bend from 2021 to 2023 and providing contract therapy services at KVC Wheatland Psychiatric Hospital with KVC Health Systems in Hays in 2019. She also practiced as a private therapist at Serenity Psychological Services and Consulting LLC in Hays during that same year.
Between 2017 and 2019, Dr. Topps contributed as a therapist supervisor at Sunflower State Psychology in Wichita, where she further honed her clinical skills with forensic populations. Her commitment to vulnerable groups was evident during her time as a rapid responder for the Human Trafficking Program at Saint Francis Ministries in Hays from 2016 to 2017. She previously advanced with Saint Francis Ministries from a family preservation therapist between 2013 and 2015 to a family preservation supervisor between 2015 and 2017, focusing on supporting families at risk of separation through home visits and therapeutic interventions.
Dr. Topps began her professional journey as a therapy intern at Lawrence Hall in Chicago from 2012 to 2013 while completing her graduate studies. Throughout her career, she has maintained her presence in academia as an adjunct instructor for Fort Hays State University since 2020, The Chicago School since 2022, and Barton Community College since 2026. In these roles, she teaches courses in forensic psychology, criminal justice and general psychology—mentoring future mental health professionals and sharing insights from her extensive experience.
Dr. Topps has been a licensed clinical professional counselor in Kansas since 2013 who obtained clinical-level licensure through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board in 2018. She is recognized for her clinically minded approach to leadership. She is an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse. As a speaker on preventing burnout among mental health professionals working with sexual abusers, she has delivered presentations and conducted training sessions on topics such as personality disorders and de-escalation techniques for individuals with mental illness.
Dr. Topps distinguishes herself among her peers through her willingness to embrace challenges without hesitation—often stepping into unfamiliar situations with confidence in her ability to collaborate with experts and devise effective solutions. She encourages innovative thinking among her team members by challenging traditional processes when necessary to improve patient care and employee well-being.
To support her professional ambitions, Dr. Topps initially pursued an education at Fort Hays State University, from which she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2011. She continued her education with a Master of Arts in forensic psychology from The Chicago School in 2013. She ultimately graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in psychology from National University in San Diego in 2020. These academic achievements have provided Dr. Topps with a strong foundation for both clinical practice and administrative leadership.
Throughout her career, Dr. Topps has been shaped by resilience, a quality she credits for helping her overcome adversity, and by the unwavering support of her family. She draws inspiration from figures such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Julia Roberts for their strength and influence.
Dr. Topps was additionally appointed as co-chair of the Kansas WISE Mentoring Program through the Kansas Department of Administration. Furthermore, she participated as the state hospital committee member at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.
Dr. Topps’ primary motivation centers on making a meaningful impact within her organization while shaping future leaders through teaching and mentorship. She values feedback from employees who recognize improvements under her leadership or return to share positive experiences after leaving the hospital.
Looking toward the future, Dr. Topps is committed to strengthening Larned State Hospital by maximizing efficiency, effectiveness and organizational culture while remaining rooted in her community until her children complete high school. She is open to exploring broader leadership opportunities that will allow her to expand her impact within mental health systems nationwide.