Home -- Services Offered
Psychotherapy and Counseling for Children, Youth, and Adults
Individual therapy is helpful to all ages and involves meeting privately to discuss issues of concern to the client or their parent. Parents are invited to stay with children or teens until the child is comfortable with me. Time is spent with children in playful activity which may help in building rapport and helping them to feel comfortable in the therapy setting. I present myself as their "coach," assisting with how they think, feel, and behave. Therapy with adults is directed by what issues are presented by the client.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling focuses on the couple as "the client." Issues of effective communication, mutual respect and support, and conflict resolution are emphasized
Family Counseling
Family counseling involves two or more members of a family working together as a functioning system. One goal is to move from dysfunctional to functional through effective communication, positive interactions, and mutual understanding of one another. In other cases, a goal may be assisting a family through a difficult time, such as adjusting to a loss or a major change in the family such as divorce or remarriage.
Evaluations
Educational Evaluations – Learning Disabilities may be diagnosed at any age. Typically diagnosed during school-age years, some adults are diagnosed while attending college.
Enriched Educational Placement evaluations - HEIGHTS / GT placement is described in the Information sheet below, and are available for school-age children.
Information Sheet (pdf)
For children, adolescents and adults; assessment for symptoms of Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is completed by using behavioral rating scales. Both “ADD” and “ADHD” are referred to as ADHD. Three types include:
ADHD – Inattentive Type
ADHD – Hyperactive/ Impulsive Type
ADHD – Combined Type
An evaluation will determine if symptoms exists, and their severity (by comparison to the general population).
Evaluations will include a report describing detailed results and recommendations for educational and/or treatment planning.
Pre-surgical Screenings
Some surgeries require a psychological evaluation prior to surgery. These include bariatric surgeries (gastric bypass surgery and lap-band surgery), pain management surgery (such as electrical stimulation apparatus insertion), and others. This type of evaluation includes psychological screening and more extensive evaluation if indicated. Results will be forwarded to the requesting physician. Bariatric surgery evaluations are completed according to the recommendations of the American Bariatric Surgery Association. Resources are provided to patients for their post-surgical recovery, and follow-up counseling is offered if requested.
Psychological
Classic psychological testing includes personality tests designed to detect psychological assets and problems. They are useful in diagnosing or ruling out psychological disorders. They also provide very interesting information about an individual which can be a useful tool in better understanding ourselves.
Coaching
Personal or life coaching is similar to psychotherapy or counseling in that it involves working toward your goals with the guidance of a professional who has expertise in assisting folks in that process. Psychologists have that expertise, and may have additional experience or training in the coaching process. Coaching differs from psychotherapy in that it is not influenced by restrictions in the health care industry regarding the need for a diagnosis or treatment plan and hence is also not covered by health insurance plans. It does not carry a potential “stigma” that is of concern to some individuals who may not otherwise pursue traditional therapy. Coaching is billed on a fee-for-service basis. Coaching also offers flexibility in its availability by telephone or computerized communication.
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