 Psychotherapy
Psychologists help patients with mental or
emotional difficulties such as depression or anxiety,
interpersonal or family problems, personality problems,
adjustment difficulties, grief recovery, rehabilitation,
or when psychological factors may affect physical symptoms
such as pain.
Psychology consultation and psychotherapy
is intended to help the individual reach a better
understanding of specific problems and, at times, work
toward resolution of this problem, symptom relief,
improvement in day to day functioning, or simply offer
support in problem solving.
Initially, a psychologist will conduct a
clinical interview---a guided discussion---with the
patient to assess the nature of the problem. Sometimes
the patient will be asked to complete psychological
testing to gather additional information about cognitive
ability, symptom type and severity, memory, or personality
functioning. Outside records or discussion with important
family members will sometimes be requested (for which a
release of information will be necessary).
Psychological therapy, or psychotherapy, is
a joint effort between the psychologist and the patient to
alleviate the problem. Progress depends on many factors
such as the complexity and duration of the problem, the
skill of the psychologist, the motivation of the patient,
and other life and situational circumstances. While
results cannot be guaranteed, most patients/clients find
that they benefit from psychotherapy.
The therapist and the patient/client should
agree on specific goals for therapy such as symptom
reduction, improved communication and/or interpersonal
skills, ability to return to work, or the like. Goals
will in all likelihood change as the therapy progresses
and should be renegotiated accordingly. The therapeutic
approach employed will vary and should be discussed
directly with the psychologist. The approach I employ
most frequently is referred to as cognitive-behavioral
therapy, a therapeutic approach that targets our belief
systems and related behavioral difficulties.
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Psychological Testing
Types of
Evaluations Offered
Psychological
Evaluation
Drug & Alcohol
Psychological Evaluation
B
Psychological testing is sometimes an important service provided if the
consultation request is to clarify a diagnosis, make treatment
recommendations, assess the degree of current impairment, or as a part of
legal proceedings.
You will complete a clinical
interview, a range of selected psychological tests (e.g., objective and
projective personality testing, cognitive testing, neuropsychological
testing, and achievement testing), and a mental status examination.
Intellectual, Achievement, Personality, Drug & Alcohol, Couple's
Testing, ADHD,
Learning, Biopsychosocial, and Career.
Psychological assessment instruments can be used to help with
psychological diagnoses, can assist your primary care physician in ruling
out psychological factors that can impact medical conditions, or to determine the extent of
substance abuse and dependency, psychological,
emotional, or mental functioning after a traumatic event.
Such data
is valuable in treatment planning, and for documenting dysfunction and
disability for legal purposes.
When
medically necessary, some testing may be covered by insurance.
Career
Inventories and Career Counseling can help adults discover their
occupational niche, or help you explore occupational interests that might
be more fulfilling than your present employment.
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Consultation
Executive Coaching
Receive
expert help resolving personnel and leadership challenges within your
organization.
Maximize
your productivity, effectiveness, and organizational abilities.
Receive
psychological help to achieve goals in your personal life that may not
require intense psychotherapy.
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Community Outreach programs
designed to provide primary prevention interventions to specific
populations.
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Corporate Training & Workshops
are available on topics of stress management, depression, diversity, and
others.
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Program Evaluations
can help you determine whether a program is meeting its
desired goals or if changes are needed (in the case of a
formative program evaluation), or whether a program has
met its desired goals (summary program evaluation).
Model used for program evaluation.
Stufflebeam's CIPP
Model
(Context, Input, Process,
Product).
Context evaluations
that investigate the socio-political, organizational, and
other contextual variables associated with the need for
courses, programs, and support efforts.
Input evaluations
that compare alternative inputs or means
for meeting the needs identified in context evaluations,
including but not limited to particular programs.
Process evaluations
that formatively assess the planning, design, development,
and implementation of programs and associated efforts to
use them.
Product evaluations
that allow summative judgments to be made
regarding the quality, utility, and value of programs and
infrastructures that support them.
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